Trend Spotting Week Four

Social Media for Homework and Recitations

This semester almost all of my classes ask me to use some sort of social media site or interactive "portal" if you will. My Meaning of Info and Technology class has a social website through ning.com where we can network with classmates and are required to participate in daily reading discussions. Since this class is a large lecture, our Ning site acts as an online recitation. My Digital Media Class uses an HTML site to both turn in and display our work. Also, our trend assignment for Branding and Positioning is a perfect example. Because my major is advertising and I am also a TAM student the use of online and social media is fairly expected, however, I have seen this increase occur in other areas of CU academics such as a business systems class. Many classes are asked to create blogs and many others are asked to create a Twitter account. 

This trend is catching on like rapid fire on CU's campus for a few reasons. First, everything is going digital and paperless. It's a rare thing when a teacher even prints a handout anymore. Also, I think teachers like their students to use online tools because they are more dynamic. This blog would be much less interesting if it was turned in in paragraph format on a sheet of white paper. This trend is not going anywhere anytime soon. Its emergence makes perfect sense; it coincides with the progression of technology and the use of media and online in education. I think it will become a standard...until something bigger and better emerges. 

Digital Media Portal

Sunflower Market Lifestyle

Whole Foods (or Whole Paycheck, as you call it) is for your Mom. Its a great store, but lets face it, its too expensive for college kids. In comes Sunflower Market. The "Sunflower Market Lifestyle" trend is about living the chic-eco-healthly lifestyle but for less. I have reason to believe this is a trend because student who shop at Sunflower Market sport their grocery bags all over campus.  CU students have gravitated towards Sunflower Market for a huge reason -- cheaper produce and products, and the grocery store takes the Flatiron Meal Plan. Furthermore, I think Sunflower Market has much more of a local feel than Whole Food, and Boulder-ites dig that. Eating healthy for less is certainly something that is hip right now, and through this trend may fade, Sunflower Market will hold on to some loyal followers. 

Up and Up 

Target brand, no longer. Up and Up, the new BRANDED target brand, are flying off shelves. Ranging from beauty products to cleaning products, Target has re-branded their generic line with a clean, modern, and colorful look. This trend has caught on for a few reasons. First, the economy is pushing brands to change their marketing strategy which means simplifying the packaging, simplifying the message by focusing on quality and low price. While Target had a Target brand before, consumers are attracted to Up and Up because of the sleek new packaging, the claims that is comparable to other leading brands. I think the fact that Up and Up is more clearly comparing it to other brands than the Target brand was before is very effective. They have also picked very desirable brands, for example Jergens Natural Glo which I know a lot of people are loyal to.  A wide range of consumers are buying into the strategy--families and college students alike.  

Boyfriend Blazer

These "boyfriend" trends are interesting. What is it that appeals to college girls about wearing boyfriend style clothes? First, the jeans now the blazer. The boyfriend blazer is a more stylized version of the traditional blazer, for example, the one in my picture has ruched sleeves. As summer is turning into fall, more and more blazers are spotted on CU campus. This trend comes and goes but is usually caught on by students who are more interested in fashion and want a change from the long, open cardigan that has been popular for a few years. The blazer is versatile, and is worn to dress up jeans and to stay away from the sloppier sweatshirt look. For people who embrace this garment for its functionality and style, the trend will live on. But for people who are just following the crowd, this trend will die out and revive again down the road.