Welcome to Friday Fives, Vol. 293
This week, we’re cleansing our trendy color palettes, grabbing onto a new grab-and-go shop, getting bougie with our makeup routine, musing on TikTok’s flop era, and rushing to take our time.
Speaking of taking our time, we’ve loved our long collaboration with Match Group. Our latest work together included naming, brand strategy, visual identity, and messaging for Yuzu, a new social playground for the Asian community to connect. Check out their spotlight in Global Dating Insights.
Finally, we’re so proud to share TWA Design Director Regina Puno’s interview with Graphic Design USA. Read what she has to say about the future of design. Congrats, Regina!
01. A Pinteresting Pop of Colors
Move over, Pantone. Pinterest is updating their annual “Pinterest Predicts” by adding a yearly custom color palette to the roundup. Chosen through a combination of keyword and cultural zeitgeist digging from the creative team, this palette represents the 2024 trends that will colorfully inspire creators. This year’s shades are no surprise, from “Mocha Brown” to “Mossy Green.” Pinterest guesses that Barbie pink isn’t going anywhere, with their own version, “Gummy Pink.” And pairing perfectly with said pink is “Aqua Blue”– which is truly a match made in Barbie Land. Speaking of movies, perhaps the platform is just as excited as the rest of the world about the latest “Dune: Part Two” release. Their rusty shade, “Desert Orange” looks fit for a sandworm.
02. The Mega Success of the Minimart
Large grocery stores like Whole Foods are looking to find success in the promised land of the urban food jungle: the minimart. The Whole Foods Market Daily Shop, coming to New York sometime this year, is taking cues from the city’s iconic bodega format. The location will be about half the size of a normal Whole Foods while still carrying the high-quality items consumers love: produce, meat, and seafood. But don’t worry, they’ll also have that classic corner-store charm, serving grab-and-go snacks and, of course, fresh coffee. Though, we’re more concerned about whether they’ll have bacon, egg, and cheese on the menu. The jury is still out.
03. Face Card Never Declines
$68 complexion products? $300 makeup pouches? What’s the deal? New luxury beauty brands, like Westman Atelier, plus classics like Dior, are casting a wider net than ever. But how are these expensive products becoming staples for middle-class shoppers? For one, splurging on $50 Chanel makeup feels better than splurging on $500 Chanel clothing. Not to mention, in a world where content creators are giving makeup dupe info and product reviews left and right, packaging is everything. Decorating your dresser with palettes for a photo-op and posing in a selfie with a pretty-looking lip balm is of utmost importance. And don’t forget the purchase temptation when luxury makeup goes mini. Those darned shelves of affordable travel sizes at Sephora’s checkout hook us every time.
04. Is Time Running Out for TikTok?
Don’t worry, TikTok isn’t dying — yet. But it has been experiencing a vibe shift of epic proportions. From its loss of Universal Music Group tunes, much to Swiftie dismay, to its scroll-interrupting overflow of ads, the app seems to be backtracking on all the features that made it so loved and, more importantly, different from other social media. Users are becoming a bit fatigued with sneaky AI-generated content and misinformation that finds its way into the platform. And while the app still has enough power and reach to cause a Stanley Cup craze, revitalize old songs from our tween days, and bring “mob wife aesthetic” to life, will it be enough? Unfortunately, once the President has joined your app, it may no longer be for the “cool kids.”
05. You Can’t Hurry Happiness
During a humbling tumble in the NYC subway, “New York Times” writer Melissa Kirsch realized that recklessly rushing could lead to a messy spill — both literally and figuratively. The mindless daily hurry we do so often, from constantly checking the time during dinner with a friend to running to catch the train (and sometimes embarrassingly missing it), may mean something more than we think. Kirsch posits that maybe we’re rushing to escape the uncomfy or tense moments of our life, to bring them to an end more quickly. Little do we realize, what we wind up rushing toward is the ultimate end. Gulp. Next time you’re jogging to flag down the bus, maybe take a breath and slow down. Even if you miss it, at least you stopped to smell the roses.
