Hi Friends! I’m excited to share this year’s first “Designing Near Future” Newsletter with you. If this email landed in your promotions folder, you know what to do. Welcome to everyone who joined in December. I took some time off to visit Costa Rica and wrap up design consulting work for the year. It was a much needed break and I’m super excited to dive back into our weekly schedule. To kick this year off, we aren’t sticking to our typical format.

Instead, I want to share my design and tech predictions for 2025. Here’s what I have in store for you today:

⭐ 7 Shifts: Top Predictions for 2025 Across Tech, Culture, Social and Products

Reading time: 4 minutes

FYI I also posted a video of me reacting to my 2024 predictions to see how I did. Here is a link to that video. 😎. Spoiler Alert : It was a good balance of spot on hits and fails.

⭐ Predictions for 2025

Predictions often draw mixed reactions due to their inherently speculative nature, swinging between optimism and pessimism. However, I think, it would be exciting to revisit these forecasts at the year's end to evaluate our hits and misses. For those who might find disagreement or frustration in these predictions, I extend my apologies in advance. 😎

Let’s get into it.

1. Glasses Form Factor Wins in AI and AR

In 2024, AI found its way into everything - from lockets to wearable pins. But in 2025, glasses will lead the charge. Companies like Meta, Rokid, and TCL are already proving that eyewear is the perfect interface for AI-powered assistance and AR overlays. Unlike VR, AR glasses offer a low-friction, always-on experience that’s practical for everyday life, making them poised for mainstream adoption. I expect many lightweight (still a challenge), stylish frames that blend AI and AR seamlessly. If I have to continue guessing, China would lead the race here.

2. Your New Digital Partner, Agentic AI

AI agents will shift from novelty to necessity by autonomously handling complex, niche tasks - Imagine customizing product recommendations on Shopify or generating detailed legal research memos for startups. Unlike chatbots, these agents won’t need hand-holding. In some ways we already got a glimpse into this in 2024. Startups I am watching out for include Mem (an AI Note taking app), Delphi AI (a digital cloning platform, very bullish on this one) and Loveable (Developing an AI tool that allows users to create apps without coding skills). In 2025, I fully believe AI agents will become the quiet specialists behind countless everyday processes.

3. Communities and IRL Events Drive Brand Growth

In 2025, expect brands to double down on IRL events as a key strategy to build loyalty and create buzz. From pop-ups to experiential meetups, these gatherings offer brands, especially online-only ones, a way to foster deeper connections with their communities. (Possibly an attempt to disrupt COVID habits) Successful examples in 2024, like a.m. Radio’s DJ sets at LA coffee shops, showcased how IRL events can easily spark organic content creation. We also saw this effect first hand last year with Young Designers India where we hosted 10+ events across multiple cities worldwide. In 2025, sequential events like run clubs will become a norm, transforming one-off activations into long-term cultural moments.

4. The Over-focus on Gen Z Marketing

Gen Z’s rising influence is undeniable. They currently drive $860 billie in global spending, projected to hit $12 trillie by 2030. (See what I did there?) Brands are racing to capture this tech-savvy demographic, but there’s a risk: over-aggressive targeting can backfire, alienating older, loyal customers. Jaguar’s rebrand exemplifies the fine line (What? Too soon?😁). In 2025, successful brands will balance Gen Z-centric strategies with authenticity, avoiding flashy gimmicks in favor of genuine storytelling. But, I predict a lot of our favorites will be navigating this pivot.

Pro Tip: Never take Gen Z marketing advice from boomer and millennial heavy agencies. They simply don’t get it. No offence Forbes.

5. Global Decline of Trust

In 2025, trust in digital content will face unprecedented challenges as AI-generated posts, images, and videos flood platforms. LinkedIn, already seeing AI content overload, risks user fatigue and skepticism. I mean, every time I see a post clearly written by ChatGPT, I cringe a little. The rise of AI video platforms like OpenAI’s Sora and Chinese startup Kling promises revolutionary new tools but also fuels concerns around misinformation and authenticity. I suspect a downfall, globally, in how we trust - content, our online interactions and (as a result) IRL interactions with people.

6. Intentional Disconnection and Mindful Tech Choices

A counter-movement is currently gaining traction: intentional disconnection. This isn’t about rejecting technology but using it mindfully. Examples like Sol Reader, a wearable e-reader with distraction-free design, and the Light Phone 3, which prioritizes essential functions over endless apps, are at the forefront of this movement. Devices like the Daylight Computer DC-1, with its glare-free, blue-light-free screen, cater to users seeking focus and balance. From cell phone bans in schools to initiatives like Amsterdam’s Offline Club, the growing desire for tech-free moments is higher than ever and I assume this will only grow in 2025.

7. Social Commerce Explodes

Social commerce will explode in 2025, projected to reach $1.2 trillion globally, driven by platform enhancements and evolving consumer habits. Established giants like TikTok and Instagram are doubling down on in-app shopping features, while live shopping events, expected to account for 20% of sales, redefine how people buy online. Even if TikTok get’s banned in Q1 2025, it will drive so much traffic tp IG and the rise of competitors in this space and creators are looking for solutions. With Gen Z and Millennials driving 62% of global spend, I totally expect social commerce to become a primary mode of retail interaction. (If I were to force myself to build in one space - it’ll be this. What is the linkinbio, shopify, superdm for creator businesses?)

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