Short-Term Trends in Long-Term Projects

Long-term exhibitions almost always feature an element that got included because it was a hot trend.

But is that element part of a long-term trend? Or a short-term one?

Hard to know in advance.

We’ve talked about tech revolutions that weren’t so revolutionary. But dead trends aren’t limited to tech. And no trend is invulnerable.

Every office in the world got redesigned to be open. But then every office worker in the world said they hated that. (And then that other thing happened that made lots of people not like offices at all any more.)

Every car in the world got a giant dashboard touchscreen. But now car buyers don’t want them, because they cause crashes.

And let's not even talk about Livestrong bracelets, Gangnam Style, Harlem Shake, fidget spinners, cell phones that worked like walkie talkies, Game of Thrones, dabbing, selfie sticks, the Macarena, or furbies.

(I won’t add NFTs to that list for now, out of sympathy.)

How many of those did we all join in on? Be honest. A few?

All?

Here’s the thing:
Are we building short-term trends into our long-term projects? Trends die, no matter how popular (except maybe this one).

What happens when they do?

Warmly,
Jonathan

P.S. I reply to every email. Ask me anything, send me article ideas, and question my conclusions. You’ll hear back, and maybe inspire a future piece.