It's tiiiime for design lovers! 🎄

Another month, another edition of Design Feast. But this month is no ordinary month—simply because it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas! It's the month of deep greens and reds, and, of course, a huge marketing opportunity for all sectors.

We're here and ready to serve up the latest design news and sizzling hot trends for everyone whose Christmas wish list includes a hefty dose of design inspiration.

So, grab yourself a cup of hot chocolate, cue up a Christmas playlist (or not, it's really up to you), and indulge in some festive reading. 🎅🎄

See you next year!🌟

1. WHAT'S UP!

⛸️ AMI's holiday spirit in Paris

AMI PARIS is opening an ice skating rink at Palais Royal in Paris to celebrate the holiday season. Running from December 16th to 31st, this experience goes beyond skating – it includes a pop-up store unveiling the brand's exclusive holiday capsule collection and the first Ami Café, nestled within a charming chalet.

The ice rink is made from self-lubricating synthetic tiles, eliminating the need for water or ice, and promoting environmental sustainability.

To attract both locals and tourists, AMI chose to create an experience that feels like Christmas. The brand not only fosters loyalty among its existing customers through the provision of a distinctive experience but also captivates the interest of potential clients. By embracing this limited-time experience, the brand generates buzz and taps into the phenomenon of FOMO (fear of missing out).

🎡 Carousel of Dreams

Holiday window displays are a Christmas essential, and Christian Dior Couture 's Carousel of Dreams installation at Saks Fifth Avenue in New York takes this experience to the next level. This captivating visual display, involving 100 artisans and 10 months of planning, features nearly 300,000 LED lights.

Window displays play a crucial role in retail design and visual merchandising strategies, serving as the initial connection between customers and brands. They offer a simple yet effective way to attract customers and to keep them coming back.

To capture consumers' attention in today's competitive market, brands must stand out. Especially during this time, window displays go beyond presenting products; they become a powerful storytelling tool. In the case of Dior, the brand not only distinguishes itself from competitors but also narrates the captivating story of the Dior Cruise 2024 collection.

2. HOT & TRENDY

👕 Ugly sweater for a charitable cause

Over the years, ugly sweaters have transformed into a significant market for brands, marked by a dedicated day for this trend on December 15th. As the holiday season kicked off, numerous brands utilized this trend as part of their marketing strategy, unveiling their own unique ugly sweaters.

Microsoft transformed the iconic Windows XP’s default wallpaper into a Christmas sweater. All profits from the sale of this limited edition sweater will be donated to The Nature Conservancy .

Lidl has introduced a Christmas jumper rental service to promote a more sustainable approach to holiday fashion, allowing customers to rent ugly sweaters for £2 per day. This year's jumpers are crafted from upcycled textiles, and all profits from the rental service contribute to the NSPCC (National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children).

Examples such as Microsoft and Lidl underscore that the "ugly sweater" trend serves as a win-win for brands – a creative and humorous way to embrace the Christmas spirit while contributing to charitable causes.

🗓️ Interactive advent calendar

HARIBO UK is embracing the holiday spirit with its unique take on "Christmas Mishap Bingo." Adding a playful twist to the traditional advent calendar, this interactive version celebrates unexpected and imperfect moments of the season, like a tree toppling over or accidentally setting off the smoke alarm while holiday cooking, among other mishaps.

Christmas brings with it the tradition of advent calendars, extending across every sector. From jewelry to dried meat, there appears to be no limit to the types of products featured in these calendars.

For exemple, last year's KitKat Chocolatory advent calendar, crafted by CBA LATAM, brought innovation to the existing product range - KITKAT Chocolatory - and engaged its audience in an emotional way.

These calendars not only serve as a holiday marketing strategy but also enable brands to showcase their product range, appealing to a broader audience and potentially generating interest in items that customers might not have considered otherwise.

3.UNLEASH THE FUTURE

🕹️ The Fabulous Cartier Journey

Cartier unveils an interactive video game - "The Fabulous Cartier Journey" - to enhance the storytelling of its end of year campaign, "The Fabulous Cartier House".

The French jewelry house has chosen gaming to boost its visibility and engagement, but more importantly to better connect with Generation Z, which is expected to make up 25 to 30% of luxury purchases by 2030.

Cartier isn't the only luxury brand venturing into the gaming world for marketing. Video games have become the latest trend in advertising. In the last three years, luxury brands like Burberry, Louis Vuitton, Hermès, and Gucci have launched a variety of gaming-related projects.

4. CHANGEMAKERS

💛 Single all the way

Being relatable is one of the most effective strategies today. Understanding and addressing consumer needs on a personal level helps brands build long-lasting relationships with their target audience.

Bumble Inc. latest campaign in the UK skillfully played the game by tapping into the common fear shared by many single people during the festive season.

The "Single All the Way" campaign encourages individuals to navigate their own dating journey this Christmas. It highlights that sometimes, having relatable copy is enough for a successful campaign.

5. BEYOND BOUNDARIES

🎄Christmas Chaos : Life is not an IKEA catalogue

Most of the 2023 Christmas advertisements have focused on heartwarming family activities, portraying moments of togetherness, shared laughter, and the joy of being in each other's company, often accompanied by the nostalgic tunes of 80s pop.

However, IKEA Norway chose a distinct path. Breaking away from perfection, IKEA embraces a humorous approach to portray a more authentic image of the holiday season: real-life holiday chaos. The spot captures the everyday scenarios of a family with children trying to navigate the challenges of Christmas shopping at IKEA.

With this spot, IKEA not only establishes relatability but also distinguishes itself from other brands, standing out distinctly in this season's crowded advertising landscape.

☎️ Want to keep the design discussion going or share feedback on this newsletter? Let's get in touch!