FuturistU > Innovation & Change > Adaptive Innovation > Module 5 / 5

Ideation

Instructor: Jeremy Gutsche
When it comes to ideation, people are often worried that they are sticking to the path and missing out on ideas that are so close within one's grasp. In this module Jeremy will walk you through a number of workshops and tactics that will help you extract better thinking from yourself and your team.
Workshop Question:
How might you incorporate workshops and brainstorm sessions to extract better thinking from yourself and your team?
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Insights by Trend Hunter AI

Creative Copilots
Generative AI is being packaged as editable support for creative production

What's Happening - Generative artificial intelligence software is expanding from single generators into broader creation stacks that include AI prompt libraries, prompt builders, and editing enhancers for editorial, image, and video production. This suggests the market is organizing around end-to-end assistance for speeding up drafts, variations, and creative experimentation.

Workshop Question - How could your brand make AI-assisted output feel more trustworthy through transparency, editability, or visible human oversight?
7.3
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Homefield Merch
Brands turn household purchases into ways to participate in football moments

Trend - Brands and retailers selling consumer durables are using the excitement of major sporting events to drive sales, tapping into a fandom traditionally expressed through apparel and memorabilia. Extending fans’ eagerness to wave flags and wear national colors into the home itself, furniture and appliance campaigns turn living spaces into another arena for fans to show their team spirit.

Workshop Question - How could your brand turn a major cultural moment into a useful part of customers’ everyday routines?
7.6
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Banana Beauty
Beauty brands are embracing bananas as a recognizable hero ingredient
Trend - Once confined to food and beverages, banana is gaining traction across beauty as its nourishing reputation, recognizable appeal, and playful identity inspire skincare, haircare, and cosmetic launches that transform a familiar fruit into a distinctive product experience.
Workshop Question - How can your brand transform a familiar natural ingredient into a distinctive beauty signature?
7.7
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AI Debate
New startups launch AI-powered debate assistants and moderators for coherency
Trend - Companies are launching AI‑powered debate assistants and moderators that provide structure, enforce speaking rules and ensure coherent exchanges. These tools help participants stay on topic, reduce interruptions and maintain consistent logic, positioning AI as a stabilizing force in debate settings.
Workshop Question - How might we utilize AI to enhance structure and coherence in our communication processes or events?
4.8
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Smoothie Rush
Portable blenders enable convenient, wellness-focused daily nutrition
Trend - Portable blenders are evolving into performance-focused wellness accessories through lightweight travel-ready designs, USB-C charging, and leakproof blending vessels that support mobile lifestyles while sustainable materials and high-powered motors are also being incorporated into design elements.
Workshop Question - How can your brand develop products that better support consumers’ increasingly flexible and wellness-focused lifestyles?
6.6
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Bean Beauty
Mung bean is used for soothing, plant-forward skincare formulas
Trend - Mung bean, a legume traditionally used in food, is gaining popularity in skincare for its gentle, naturally beneficial properties. Within the beauty landscape, this unconventional ingredient is used to help calm irritated skin, absorb excess oil, and aid in balancing complexions.
Workshop Question - How can your product strategy adapt to consumers seeking supportive ingredients?
5.5
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Gamer Support
The esports industry takes action to make mental health care more accessible
Trend - Esports companies are teaming up with mental health organizations to provide guidance and promote safety within the gaming community. Through expert partnerships and campaigns, these initiatives aim to make online spaces safer, inclusive, and better equipped to support those who may be struggling.
Workshop Question - How can your brand ensure its social impact initiatives resonate with its target consumer?
4.6
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AI Companionship
Retail brands are using AI to create more genuine human connections
Trend - Retail companies are deploying AI systems that work behind the scenes to enhance rather than replace human interactions with customers. These technologies analyze consumer behavior, preferences, and emotional cues to help staff members provide more personalized and meaningful service experiences.
Workshop Question - How might we leverage AI to enhance authentic human interactions and create more personalized connections with our customers?
5.4
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NIL Ecosystem
Collegiate athlete influencer programs expand beyond elite players
Trend - The Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) landscape is rapidly evolving beyond superstar athletes, with universities and brands creating structured programs to transform everyday student-athletes into micro-influencers. Rather than focusing exclusively on top-tier talent, these initiatives aim to democratize earning potential across entire athletic departments.
Workshop Question - How might your brand create opportunities for emerging content creators rather than pursuing established influencers?
6
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De-Stresser Beverage
Brands are replacing stress-generating ingredients with calming alternatives
Trend - Food & beverage brands are creating drinks designed to alleviate stress. This is achieved by swapping out stressing ingredients, such as processed sugars and caffeine, with stress-relieving alternatives, such as magnesium and lion's mane, generating healthier energy for consumers.
Workshop Question - How can we redesign our products by identifying and replacing stress-inducing elements with calming alternatives to better serve our customer's well-being?
6.3
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