How To Spot Trends Before Everyone Else

Part 2—Learning to Identify Visual Trends Before They Hit The Mainstream

So, you want to be the person who effortlessly spots trends before they’re plastered all over everyone’s feeds? The one who casually drops, “Oh, I saw that coming months ago,” while everyone else is playing catch up. The person who wore Bambi print in 2021—not because it were trending, but because they just felt right.

@ssawmag with @vvakaste by @mel.bles

Being ahead of the curve in your work can help position you as the go-to creative for your clients. And the good news is—spotting trends isn’t magic. But, before I dive into the methods I’ve adopted, there’s something you need to know: you won’t always get it right. And that’s kind of the point. That person who’s always ahead? Trust me, they’ve embraced plenty of ideas, styles, and “next big things” that never took off. That’s not a failure—it’s exploration. And honestly? That’s what matters more than being the person light years ahead of the curve.

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In my eyes, the real goal isn’t about being the first to trends—it’s about finding what feels authentic to you and your project in a way that cuts through. It’s about using tools and techniques to uncover what resonates with your creative instincts. To develop ideas that align with a brief so perfectly they feel like soulmates. To create visuals that make your heart race and concepts that genuinely light you up.

Because let’s face it: although it may feel like we applaud the ones ahead of the curve, being ahead isn’t the ultimate prize. The goal is to create work that resonates—deeply and authentically—with your audience. So if you can do that in a way that feels new, fresh, and unmistakably you? That’s where the magic happens.

It’s not easy and I’m not saying I’m perfect at this either. It takes looking inward, learning how to really see the world around you, and training yourself to find inspiration in the unexpected.

So, how do you start building that eye? Let’s dive in.