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:
It’s sustainable
The Metaverse is argued to be more sustainable for brands and consumers as brands can offer digital products which sidestep supply chains.
Furthermore, virtual meetings may continue to replace in-person visits reducing the need for business travel. In turn, we could see a decrease in travel emissions.
Take advantage of new economies
There's also en emerging creator economy as people can take customisation into their own hands, creating unique avatars and digital clothing to sell to other users.
Supermodel and influencer, Bella Hadid, is a creator trail-blazer. Her non-fungible token (NFT) platform “CY-B3LLA” hosts “11,111 unique works of art based on the model’s image” according to Trend Hunter insights (McQuarrie, 2022).
There is a demand for non-fungible tokens due to their unique and highly-collectible nature.
Image: CY-B3LLA
Inspire and influence your audience
Social platforms like Zepeto grant a new level of self-expression for audiences. The app invites users to upload a photo and then creates an avatar character directly based on their features.
Barclay Bram (anthropologist) believes audiences will feel less pressure to curate perfect lifestyles on platforms like Instagram (2019). This is because avatars can provide limitless self-expression.
Grant your audience the freedom to be themselves and experience the freedom of a borderless universe.
Image: Zepeto makers
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
