Below is this week’s list of materials. For the full module resource list, please refer to Talis Resource List. We encourage you to go beyond and carry out your own independent research into themes delivered. Do not forget to use the Ideas Wall to share new ideas and thoughts.
The Future Laboratory (2019), Available from:
https://www.thefuturelaboratory.com/Links to an external site.
The Future Laboratory is a trend forecasting and strategic foresight consultancy that positions itself as a partner for global businesses seeking innovation and future-proofing. The website immediately establishes credibility with bold typography, high-profile client logos, and a clean, spacious design. It focuses on delivering insights through data-driven analysis, cross-sector intelligence, and consultancy services.
The website successfully communicates authority, professionalism, and forward-thinking through minimalist design, restrained color palette, and modern typography. Its layout emphasizes hierarchy and clarity, guiding visitors from overarching brand promises to specific services. However, some elements, such as subtle contrast in hero visuals and hidden navigation layers, could challenge accessibility. Motion graphics and interactive elements support the futuristic branding, though consistency across devices may vary.
The website’s design aims to establish trust with corporate clients, showcase expertise across multiple sectors, and convert visitors into leads through membership, consultancy engagement, or content acquisition. It also seeks to reinforce the brand’s positioning as an innovative and data-driven authority in trend forecasting.
Design methods include strategic use of typography for hierarchy, whitespace to create clarity, consistent visual patterns such as card layouts and brand logos, restrained color accents for professionalism, and interactive hero elements to convey futurism. Content is structured linearly to guide the user journey while emphasizing key client sectors and service offerings.
The site communicates a strong sense of credibility and expertise, with immediate visual cues highlighting major clients and strategic services. Users can navigate through services, sectors, and insights with minimal cognitive load, and calls to action are clear. The futuristic aesthetic aligns with the consultancy’s brand promise, and the combination of photography and interactive visuals enhances engagement.
The Future Laboratory’s website effectively balances professionalism, authority, and innovation in its design. While the user experience is generally clear and credible, minor accessibility and responsiveness improvements could further strengthen the site. The site demonstrates how design can reinforce a brand’s thought leadership, guide users through complex offerings, and visually communicate innovation.
The Trend Forecaster’s Handbook introduces readers to the principles and practice of trend forecasting, positioning it as a creative and analytical discipline that blends observation, cultural insight, and strategic thinking. The early chapters emphasize the importance of identifying patterns in culture, fashion, and consumer behavior, and provide foundational tools for spotting emerging trends before they reach mainstream adoption. The text targets designers, marketers, and creative professionals who aim to anticipate the direction of markets and social movements.
The first three chapters reveal that trend forecasting is both an art and a science. Effective forecasters combine intuitive observation with structured research, noting subtle shifts in behavior, aesthetics, and social attitudes. Trends emerge from microcultures, subcultures, and grassroots innovations before moving into the wider market. Raymond highlights the significance of context, the lifecycle of trends, and the influence of economic, technological, and societal factors. He also stresses the visual and sensory components of trend analysis, including color, texture, shape, and imagery, which provide early signals of evolving tastes.
The early chapters aim to equip readers with a framework for identifying and understanding trends. The objective is to cultivate an observational mindset, teach the principles of spotting early indicators, and provide tools to distinguish between fleeting fads and longer-term cultural shifts. Raymond seeks to develop the reader’s ability to interpret signs in both visual and behavioral data to forecast trends with accuracy and confidence.
Raymond emphasizes immersive observation, ethnographic study, and the collection of visual and textual references. He encourages forecasters to monitor subcultures, media, technology, and lifestyle behaviors, often creating mood boards, photo libraries, and analytical notes. Trend spotting is iterative, combining qualitative observation with contextual analysis to identify emerging patterns. Cross-referencing multiple sources and sectors helps validate potential trends and their relevance to specific industries.
By applying these methods, forecasters gain the ability to anticipate shifts in consumer taste and cultural direction. Early identification of trends allows businesses and designers to position products and strategies ahead of the mainstream, providing competitive advantage. Raymond demonstrates that understanding the origins and trajectories of trends can reduce risk in product development and marketing while enhancing creative decision-making.
The first three chapters establish that trend forecasting requires both disciplined observation and creative interpretation. Success depends on the forecaster’s ability to detect subtle cultural shifts, interpret them within context, and communicate insights effectively. Trends are dynamic and multifaceted, and the handbook lays the groundwork for a structured approach to understanding how social, economic, and cultural forces shape emerging consumer behaviors and aesthetics.