|
The moral of the story is teens today are an always changing group of individuals. Personal Expression is vital to their existence and the home is just another extension of this personality to their peers and family units…so don’t underestimate them. Here are a few key items to consider:
A teen’s room is more than just a place to sleep. It is a dressing room, a place to chill with friends, a study, a media room and a game room too. It needs to be organized, stylized, and customized. Today’s teens are spending more than ever before on their rooms but the problem is that it is not so easy to get their attention. You have to remember that today’s teens are part of a generation of over-stimulated consumers. The product has to be right on target or you will never catch their eye. There is just too much to look at.
Here are a few things to note, they may sound simple but they are very important:
- Look at what they are wearing. This is a good indication of what they would like their rooms to look like. There is absolutely no delay in the translation of clothing trends into home trends anymore. With this age group they must happen simultaneously.
- Watch what they are watching and listen to what they are listening to. With the always growing celebrity endorsed products celebrities are shaping consumers minds in many more areas than just media. Especially Teens.
- Don’t water it down. Today’s teens are more informed than ever before thanks to the multiple media outlets at their fingertips. The last thing that they will respond to is anything that attempts to talk down to them. i.e. … NO more butterflies, glitter, or sports themed prints…just because they like baseball does not mean they want baseballs on their sheets!
Below we have listed things that we feel are important to teens right now as well as some thoughts on how this confusing audience has changed.
- Technology is key. No one knows it better than they do. It shapes many areas of their life. Look to industrial design for inspiration.
- Teens today are more socially and environmentally aware. Getting involved in political and social causes is very important to them. Teens will re-cast what is means to be young by being positive as opposed to being angsty.
- Much like the adult interior design world today we are seeing a return to home environments that are personalized. Items that mean something to them and the process of putting items together in a customized way even further promotes individuality. Find it as you go. Collectibles. Mix and match. All of these are key themes.
- Don’t forget about the boys. Teen boys have developed into a very stylized group of people. Consider incorporating more of their interests into the products. We love reversible, easy care products with a subtle nod to their styles and interests. Find a way to incorporate the idea of athleticism without screaming “I’m a Mets Fan!” Also we feel it is important to merchandise for this market as a total package. Guys don’t like to make too many decisions. Fast and Easy. Details that mimic clothing details (apparel fabrics, stitching details) are also a great addition to the mix. Overall Young Men’s fashion is much more cleaned up. Abraded and torn is out!
- Patterns – You can use more naïve patterns if you do it in a more sophisticated color palette. Consider one color prints on a solid ground. Also geometrics in combination with one another can be another way to customize.
Do not underestimate today’s teens. Create products that are a reflection of the individuals that they are as they grow into the adults that they will soon be.
Contributers: J. Paruch, R. Crumbley, L. Deatherage, D. Poor
|
