Annika Carroll

Think Ahead for 2026: What Undercurrents Beyond Trends Brands Need to Know

Articles /

Looking ahead isn’t just about following trends; it’s about understanding the deeper shifts that shape consumer thinking and behaviour. As we enter 2026, the brands that stand out won’t simply adopt new tools or aesthetics they will leverage these shifts strategically. This year, we’ve identified five emerging signals of change that marketers should watch closely […]

Think Ahead for 2026: What Undercurrents Beyond Trends Brands Need to Know Read More »

Winning the Moment: How Brands Use Seasonal Occasions to Spark Connection

Articles /

Seasonal moments can be emotional touchpoints that invite consumers into a shared celebration. Whether it’s a limited-edition drop or festive packaging design, brands that master well-timed storytelling often find themselves at the center of cultural conversation. Already this year, Starbucks has once again taken the seasonal spotlight with the release of its limited-edition “Bearista Cup”.

Winning the Moment: How Brands Use Seasonal Occasions to Spark Connection Read More »

How Retail Design Can Create Community, Connection, and Cultural Relevance

Articles /

Walk into any store today and you’ll quickly sense whether a brand understands its customers, or if it’s just selling to them. From the lighting and layout to the artwork and materials, every design detail tells a story about the brand’s culture and how it values its customers and communities. Today’s consumers want to feel

How Retail Design Can Create Community, Connection, and Cultural Relevance Read More »

Maxwell House

Trust by Design: How CPG Can Effectively Communicate Sustainability in an Era of Skepticism

Articles /

These days, going green is a must for CPG brands, but while environmental consciousness is at an all-time high, so is consumer skepticism. Years of exaggerated claims and vague buzzwords have led to the rise of eco-cynicism, where even genuinely sustainable brands now face distrust. The heightening awareness of greenwashing poses a new challenge for

Trust by Design: How CPG Can Effectively Communicate Sustainability in an Era of Skepticism Read More »

Designing for Diversity: Why Inclusive Branding Is More Than Just Representation

Articles /

Diversity has become a contentious topic across North America, as companies navigate shifting political pressures while developing their strategies. These pressures have created differing perspectives on the value of diversity, leaving many brands uncertain about the right path for their organization. Some have fully embraced and reinforced diversity initiatives, while others have scaled back or

Designing for Diversity: Why Inclusive Branding Is More Than Just Representation Read More »

How to meet patients’ emotional needs in healthcare

Digital Experiences /

The healthcare industry is undergoing massive changes, from the introduction of robotics capable of intricate procedures to AI bringing deeper insights into diagnostic tools. However, with all of these new technologies comes a heightened risk of patient and staff anxieties silently impacting their health and wellness. The facts speak for themselves, with nearly 4 in

How to meet patients’ emotional needs in healthcare Read More »

Why Customers are Still Using Bank Branches

Digital Experiences /

While digital banking continues to reshape the industry, physical branches remain a vital part of the customer journey, especially when it comes to life’s bigger financial decisions. Their enduring relevance highlights the value of human connection in a world of automated transactions. Today’s most forward-thinking banks are transforming their branches into relationship-driven spaces, blending intuitive

Why Customers are Still Using Bank Branches Read More »

The “Better For You” Revolution: How CPG Brands Are Winning Hearts Through Emotional Repositioning

Digital Experiences /

The Better-for-You (BFY) movement isn’t just a trend, it’s a complete shift in how people eat, shop, and think. Today’s consumers want it all: health, transparency, and convenience, without sacrificing taste. As the demand for feel-good, do-good snacks grows, BFY has become a driving force in reshaping the global food landscape. In response, brands are

The “Better For You” Revolution: How CPG Brands Are Winning Hearts Through Emotional Repositioning Read More »

Perfect Is Boring: What Big Brands Can Learn from the Rise of the Anti-Brand

Digital Experiences /

In recent years, branding has been all about polished storytelling, aspirational lifestyles, and curated perfection. But somewhere between the perfectly aligned flat lays and hyper-curated copy, something got lost: realness (a.k.a “authenticity”). Some brands are trading polish for personality, control for chaos, and perfection for raw, messy humanity. We see the anti-brand strategy commonly adopted

Perfect Is Boring: What Big Brands Can Learn from the Rise of the Anti-Brand Read More »

How to Successfully Offer Health Services at Retail Pharmacies

Digital Experiences /

Healthcare systems around the world are struggling to meet the needs of patients. Governments hope pharmacies can fill the gap by allowing them to offer a wider range of services. In many countries, patients are accustomed to seeking out a pharmacist’s advice, often in place of going to a doctor. North American consumers, however, see

How to Successfully Offer Health Services at Retail Pharmacies Read More »

A Quick Guide on How to Use Shape and Color Choices to Influence Buying Decisions

Digital Experiences /

Color and shape not only catch the eye, but they also guide our perception and emotions. Together, these elements transform a logo into an icon, a package into a feeling, and a brand into a relationship. Studies show we process images 60,000 times faster than text, as the majority of information we absorb is visual,

A Quick Guide on How to Use Shape and Color Choices to Influence Buying Decisions Read More »

The Role of Social Commerce in CPG: Designing for the Scroll, Click, and Buy Journey

Digital Experiences /

A new aisle for CPG brands has fragmented the path to purchase. As the line between social media and e-commerce gradually blurs, platforms like TikTok and Instagram aren’t just influencing buying decisions they’re becoming the shelf. With 34% of consumers shopping online at least once a week and 70% of online purchases influenced by social

The Role of Social Commerce in CPG: Designing for the Scroll, Click, and Buy Journey Read More »

How To Turn Around Poor Customer Service In Retail

Digital Experiences /

The Decline of Customer Service  According to Forrester’s CI Index, customer service is the worst it’s been since they first started collecting data in 2016. Other reports from Cavell, Customer Contact Week Digital and the National Rage Survey confirm the findings: around half of consumers feel service has gotten worse in the past few years.

How To Turn Around Poor Customer Service In Retail Read More »

Package Design In 2025 – What’s Hot and What’s Not

Brand Strategy, Packaging Design /

In 2024 brands continued to push for personalization, sustainable materials, and big shelf impact with their package design. What trends can we expect in 2025 and what will lose momentum? Here are our predictions for the coming year. Front-Of-Package Nutritional Warnings – What’s Coming  In Canada, the final push to comply with new nutritional Front

Package Design In 2025 – What’s Hot and What’s Not Read More »

Think Ahead for 2025: What Undercurrents Beyond Trends Brands Need to Know

Brand Strategy, Packaging Design /

“Predicting the future” is not as daunting as it might sound. If you’re paying attention, the future is already here. For the past ten years, we’ve shared potential future scenarios brands and marketers should note as they consider new initiatives. Many of these potential futures have become reality: for example, in 2018 we explored a

Think Ahead for 2025: What Undercurrents Beyond Trends Brands Need to Know Read More »