Trend Alert: Brands and the Metaverse (+ Free Downloadable Avatars)
Everyone’s talking about the Metaverse, but how many people can say they’ve visited? Is the Metaverse a passing trend? Or is it here to stay?
The Metaverse will be an immersive version of the internet where users can interact with stores, brands, and communities in 3D. It has the power to grant us richer online experiences – imagine this – you and your friends could visit the mall without leaving your living room! We’ll be free to indulge in the convenience of online shopping with added social benefits and improved product information.
When can we expect to visit the Metaverse?
We have all the tools at our disposal to create virtual worlds – today – but do we want to adopt them? It’s debatable whether a virtual experience can really trump reality. For example, in the Metaverse, customers could try on clothing but nothing can simulate the tactile quality of the textile.
Despite certain limitations, organisations remain positive and receptive. Organisations need to keep a virtual offering on the radar to avoid falling behind the times.
Why enter the Metaverse?
Trend forecasters, WGSN (2021) believe there are new opportunities for brands entering the Metaverse as organisations can forge deeper connections than current digital environments. Here are three key reasons the Metaverse trend is here to stay:
How can your organisation take advantage of the Metaverse?
If you’re familiar with online gaming and Apple’s “memojis”, you’re already prepared for the Metaverse! Avatars or virtual replicas of ourselves will be essential to the Metaverse experience. Users will navigate the virtual world through their avatar and they will become a form of self-expression. You can be whoever you want to be in the Metaverse.
You can empower employees or customers to express themselves through avatars. These can be integrated through workplace portals, email signatures, or on social media. For example, a researcher at Trend Hunter has been exploring Reddit’s new “collectible avatars” which will be non-fungible tokens (NFT) (Smith, 2022). NFTs are one-of-a-kind digital assets and the Reddit community can create and customise their own through the platform’s Avatar Builder.
Why not get your organisation started with our free customisable avatar maker? We’ve illustrated a suite of inclusive characters for you to mix-and-match. The illustrations are fully editable and can be adapted to reflect your brand.
Download includes:
Perpetual license for personal and commercial use
Editable AI file (Adobe Illustrator)
Vector EPS file
Suite of 8 avatars (PNGs)
Want to learn more about how the Metaverse can take your brand to the next level? Get in touch. Our trend forecasting services help young-at-heart brands stay relevant in an ever-changing commercial landscape. You’re sure to stay ahead of the curve.
We achieve this by taking cultural temperature checks and placing your audience's needs and wants at the heart of what you do.
References
Bram. B. 2019. Welcome to the Age of the Avatar. [Online]. [Accessed August 2022]. Available from: https://www.ft.com/
McQuarrie. L. 2022. Bella Hadid is Venturing into the Metaverse with CY-B3LLA. [Online]. [Accessed August 2022]. Available from: www.trendhunter.com
Smith. C. 2022. Reddit Announced a Set of Collectible Avatars Tied to NFTs. [Online]. [Accessed August 2022]. Available from: www.trendhunter.com
WGSN. 2021. Top Consumer Insight Trends for 2022 and Beyond. [Online]. [Accessed January 2022]. Available from: www.wgsn.com