Now that marketers have discovered the value that design brings to their brands, the pressure is on for creative people to continually deliver the newest looks and ideas. It's a whole new world for creatives, and big business is inviting you in. But the design world is becoming less predictable. Now that everything has been designed, what's next? Matt Mattus is a professional trend-hunter. He knows that whether you are a designer, a marketer or a CEO, you need to stay in front of the cutting edge for your clients. In Beyond Trend, you'll learn how to spot and cultivate the creative traits - in yourself and others - that allow true innovation to occur. As Mattus leads you through a whirlwind of trend assessments - contemporary and historical movements in art, fashion, architecture, film and even technology - you'll learn how to effectively absorb the world around you and figure out what's next. After all, it's up to you to move beyond trend. From the Introduction: "Design and invention are two characteristics that help define our species. The ability to discover - either through curiosity or experimentation - has enabled mankind to overcome fear through experience, and to create a world rich with structure and art. We build tools, we migrate and we make improvements. We have harnessed creativity. We have taken the basic requirements for life - shelter, food, and clothing - and, as humans, we've applied creative design ... and then more design ... and more ... until today there is nothing that hasn't been "designed." We have put our stamp on just about everything, from how we live to what we eat and what we feel. This may be a dream state for those of us who are aesthetically inclined. Others of us must ask, is all of this necessary? Good? Right? Important? Or even useful?" - Matt Mattus