Technology is no longer just a trend, it has become an important component of our daily lives. From entertainment to fashion and food, the use of technology already has changed our lives radically and will continue to do so in the coming years, says trend specialist Chris Reid.
Reid, of the International Trend Institute, was speaking on “Trends to Track in 2016” at the annual Business of Design Cape Town seminar held at Inner City Ideas Cartel. The two-day affair brought together leading South African design professionals, designers, manufacturers and small to medium enterprises in the design and fashion industries. A similar event will be held in Joburg this week.
Reid’s talk was based on the institute’s annual micro trends survey which tracks noticeable trends to watch next year.
“We are seeing this merging of technology becoming a key part of our modes of being – whether it’s in fashion, food and lifestyle. We are taking this from the Transhuman trend which shows how we have normalised technology,” says Reid.
The Transhuman era foresees a future where humans have been significantly modified by their technologies.
“The biggest trend in technology to watch next year is ‘Virtual Reality’ where people will be immersing themselves in multimedia and all kinds of devices that are able to engage us in virtual reality.
“We are already seeing this massive shift in entertainment in the last couple of years, where people are moving from one primary big screen or TV to multiple screens, wanting to be able to detect their own entertainment,” he says.
Robots that will express functional emotions and reasoning will also become integrated in our society, explains Reid.
“It’s a shift from futuristic robotics where we are trying to create a perfect person, to functional robotics… this is fast becoming a huge trend worldwide.
“People will be living with robotics in an ecosystem way… kind of like the avatar of your smartphone. The robots will become a combination of security guard, companion, web interface and buddy.
“We are seeing this kind of house robot becoming the next technology item that is going to become a must-have. Because as our homes and lives become smarter, we need these avatars of technology. And that’s where robots come in; they become the interface between us and this smart world we are evolving into,” Reid explains.
A smart toy such as Mattel’s “Hello Barbie” is an example of how traditional toys are also transitioning to electronically-enhanced objects.
The “Hello Barbie” is a wi-fi-connected, artificially intelligent doll that is able to converse with children by using the ToyTalk system to analyse a child’s speech and produce relevant responses. This Barbie remembers your name and your hobbies and can keep a conversation going for hours.
“This kind of invention is somewhat blurring that distinction between human and non-human. In about 10 to 15 years time the children growing up now – totally immersed in virtual reality and soon with a robot as their friend – won’t have that inherent fear we have now of engaging with an artificial human,” Reid says.
“It’s going to rewire the way people think and rewire the relations we have with technology, which is why the robotics trend is not so far-fetched. We are living in this time now where these shifts are already happening,” he says.
Wearable technology such as Fitbit, a device that tracks one’s activity, exercise, food, weight and sleep –and other similar devices – have been normalised in the past years, says Reid.
“These days it’s completely normal to strap a piece of technology to your body and use that to monitor what you are doing and where you are going. Next level is the implantable wearable – technology surgically implanted in your body and clothing… as we are becoming more and more comfortable with technology merging with who we are.”
Identity politics is also becoming an important element in South Africa and globally, with people identifying themselves as more than gender or their history, says Reid.
“This idea of two genders is now so last century. From fashion, culture to politics, there are all these kinds of definitions of gender. We are seeing a massive gender fluidity, which is quite heartening, all kinds of tipping points have been reached. We are seeing mainstream media supporting lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) causes in a way that would have been inconceivable about 10 years ago,” he says.
“The lines of what is masculine and feminine are being blurred. For a long time women have been allowed to wear men’s clothing, and not vice-versa, but that is changing… this is not androgyny, but it is a meeting in the middle and being able to find your own place in the spectrum.
“We are seeing parents not trying to put children in traditional gender boxes anymore. If you look at children’s name trends, gender-neutral names are the most popular names right now.”
Generation Z, individuals born after the millennium, are leading the social activism movement and coming up with projects and platforms that are driving real change.
“This new generation is growing up in a world that is full of constant reminders of what is wrong around them and what needs to change. They are seeing that the world is broken and if anything has to change, they have to be the people to change it.
“They are the drivers of civic social media campaigns which are changing the way that social media works… moving away from the narcissistic generation of the selfie. Locally this is happening in South Africa with start-up initiatives and various networks that are instigating real change,” says Reid.
Another trend to monitor is Afrofuturism, young African creatives expressing themselves through their eyes and questioning the historical events of the past.
“When it comes to design and lifestyle, the future is very much African. Afrofuturism is giving Africans a contemporary chance to express themselves through their own point of views rather than being defined by other people. We are looking at a new lens of looking at Africa… a future that is home-grown,” Reid adds.
l The Business of Design Spring Johannesburg takes place at The Park, level 7, Hyde Park corner on Wednesday and Thursday.
For the full programme, see: www.businessofdesign.co.za.