Trendwatching: YOUniversal Branding

I am one of those designers that think it is incredibly beneficial to tap into the energy of the shifting currents of pop culture, the media, technology, fashion, etc. As such, I always find sites like trendwatching.com very interesting. This month's trend report deals with YOUniversal Branding, the concept of subtly utilizing brands and gaining recognition within virtual worlds (video games, social networking sites, etc.). While the report is not for everyone, the larger idea should be—these days, anything you create is likely to end up online in some form. Clients already know that online opportunities abound, and designers need to have at least some awareness of those as well. Also, at this point, an online presence is expected and encouraged (good luck applying for a job without a portfolio site), and artists and designers are promoting themselves and their products in virtual environments like MySpace, SecondLife, 5oup... even the AIGA's portfolio gallery is an online environment. Becoming more savvy at presenting work in a virtual world is only to your benefit. So while reading about how Starbucks has implanted their logo in the background of a driving game may not immediately seem relevant to your daily CMYK existence, think again—all things are connected.