Analyzing Trends

This semester, another outstanding cohort of students has participated in the Analyzing Trends course at Parsons School of Design - The New School . Students have been delving deeper into the use of Generative AI tools within a structured framework for trend analysis and speculative foresight. Their work is grounded in a methodical approach to desk research and pattern recognition, forming the fou...

South Korea and the United States are navigating significant societal pressures, including mental health challenges and shifting political dynamics, with pop culture serving as both a mirror and a catalyst for change.

Post-Hype Design Futures explores innovative strategies for cultural, retail, and experiential design in a post-hype landscape, emphasizing sustainability, inclusivity, and long-term engagement. It analyzes the duality of spectacle-driven events, critiquing their reliance on exclusivity and consumerism, while proposing shifts toward authenticity, decentralized trends, and ethical practices. (GenAI...

Post-Global Fashion Design Futures explores the fashion industry’s evolution under post-pandemic pressures such as fragile supply chains, nearshoring, and rising political populism, driving a shift toward decentralized, sustainable models. Together, these scenarios offer diverse solutions while highlighting the need to balance strategies in an uncertain global environment. (podcast produced with N...

In our latest episode, produced with the help of NotebookLM robots, we explore potential futures for the food and beverage industry under a second Trump administration by analyzing historical and emerging consumer and market patterns. It examines how the industry might adapt to potential government actions, such as deregulation and economic policy shifts, by focusing on key themes like trust, tran...

In our latest podcast episode, produced with the help of NotebookLM robots, we examine the use of artificial intelligence (AI) and culture mapping in cultural research, specifically focusing on the potential for bias in these tools. The discussion highlights the benefits of AI, such as enhanced pattern recognition and pre-emptive culture mapping, but also warns of potential biases embedded in the...

In our latest podcast episode, produced with the help of NotebookLM robots, we explore how narratives shape both climate policy and brand innovation. Using scenarioDNA’s Culture Mapping, we discuss how narratives clarify complex issues and forecast potential futures. Key topics include the influence of subcultures on climate discourse, the impact of gender-coded archetypes, and the importance of b...

The episdode draws parallels between the development of The Real Book , a comprehensive collection of jazz standards, and the emergence of Generative AI (GenAI) . Tim Stock argues that both resources provide structure and reliable frameworks that facilitate creative interpretation and collaborative learning. The Real Book provides accurate musical structures that allow musicians to improvise, much...

The discussion explores the potential of generative AI to transform education by offering a more interactive and collaborative learning experience. The author, Tim Stock, argues that the current educational framework fails to adequately prepare students to effectively utilize AI tools, leaving them unable to fully leverage their potential. He proposes a shift in how we conceptualize learning, emph...

This preview study guide on Narrative Systems in our workshop series, utilizes the Culture Mapping to analyze possible innovation strategies. By understanding the language and social facts that influence trends and the archetypal narrative patterns that emerge, the series aims to identify emergent codes that can help predict how trends will evolve. It explores how different archetypes (like the Re...

This discussion explores the changing nature of third places , or social environments outside of home and work, and how the increasing privatization of public spaces is pushing teenagers towards commercial venues like Starbucks and Sephora. It argues that this trend, which has been fueled by the pandemic and a shift towards digital interactions, could have negative consequences for the development...

This study guide explains how to analyze trends by understanding context and patterns . It outlines tools such as PESTLE analysis and Hofstede’s Cultural Dimensions to decode context and patterns. It also introduces the Johari Window , a method for identifying known and unknown information about systems and relationships. The document then focuses on culture mapping , a method that uses archetypes...

scenarioDNA examines the evolving landscape of talent and its impact on culture. It highlights the shift from traditional celebrity worship to a demand for more relatable and authentic figures, driven by increased self-awareness, discernment, and a desire for truth and resilience in a digitally saturated world. The document explores the influence of technology, fan expectations, and the rise of vi...

The episode explores potential future work environments and their implications for human-machine interaction. It categorizes these future workspaces into several categories, such as hybrid collaborative workspaces, decentralized work networks, and community-driven workspaces. Each category discusses the potential roles of humans and machines, including the cognitive load involved, ethical consider...

This episode discusses the future of sports fandom and the impact of digital technologies, globalization, and changing demographics on the sports industry. The episode examines different trends like the rise of virtual fan engagement, the demand for social and political activism in sports, and the increasing influence of content creators. The discussion offers ways for sports organizations to adap...

scenarioDNA examines four potential future scenarios for the 2024 US presidential election, exploring the likely impact of each outcome on cultural shifts, government policies, and brand strategies. Each scenario – Gradual Evolution, Survival Mode, Transformation, and Balanced Adaptation – presents a distinct vision of the future based on societal trends and the potential political leadership of e...

Examining the evolution of punk culture and its expression of dissent through online subcultures. (Generative AI produced podcast episode based on research and analysis by scenarioDNA)

Data visualization reveals key themes in Buckminster Fuller's 1975 lectures, highlighting timeless insights. (Generative AI produced podcast episode based on research and analysis by scenarioDNA)

scenarioDNA presents potential future scenarios for the year 2025 based on current cultural and social trends. The analysis focuses on five main trend themes: deepfake normalization , solo society , smart/dumb hybrid cities , intragenerational animus , and gendered workspaces . These trends are analyzed through the lens of subcultures that influence each theme.(Generative AI produced podcast episo...