After working in design for over a decade (with many notable accomplishments), Alyssa saw a way she could take her work to the next level. She returned to school and began studying a Masters of Design in strategic foresight and innovation. As a future futurist, Alyssa researches topics around Web3, social media, the creator economy and more to help businesses stay agile, community-oriented and exciting. For episode 55, we sit down with Alyssa to talk about what a Futurist does, how trend scanning can help brands future-proof their business and if it’s possible to reverse engineer a trend. We talk about the difference between trends and fads and if it’s possible to grow on social media without following trends in this day and age. Alyssa explains the larger societal stories trends tell us and why scanning diverse content is essential. This episode gives marketers and business owners a high-level look at a skillset that can rocket their work to the next level.

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Show Notes:

1. Introducing today’s guest, Alyssa Yuhas. Arcade Studio’s Creative Director and future-futurist.
2. What is Alyssa studying in school?
3. What is a “futurist” and what do they do? 
4. How does what Alyssa is learning tie into marketing and creative work?
5. Is it possible to reverse engineer a trend to go viral?
6. What is “trend scanning?”
7. How can marketers without access to a futurist apply this thinking to their projects?
8. What trend reports does Alyssa recommend following?
9. What is the “Hype Cycle?”
10. When is it too late to jump on a trend?
11. With the rise of social media and micro trends, has it become easier or harder to follow trends?
12. Is social media actually creating trends or following fads? And what is the difference?
13. Is it possible to get traction online and on social media without following trends?
14. How do you avoid feeling intimidated by new technology? We talk Wed3, the Metaverse and more. 
15. What brands are doing a great job trend scanning?
16. Is Kanye West really good at trend scanning or a trend starter?
17. How does all of this tie into Alyssa’s work as a Creative Director?
18. What is the best piece of advice Alyssa has been given?
19. Who is Alyssa seeing make waves and why?

Discussed in this episode:

1. Alyssa’s Instagram: @alyssayuhas
2. Alyssa’s Twitter: @alyssayuhas
3. Catch our last interview with Alyssa: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/s03-s04-the-enduring-power-of-curiosity-with/id1484888104?i=1000510522147
4. Gartner Hype Cycle: https://www.gartner.ca/en/methodologies/gartner-hype-cycle 
5. How to Future: https://www.howtofuture.com/ 
6. Systems Thinking: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3828902-thinking-in-systems 
7. ICYMI: https://slate.com/podcasts/icymi 

Waves Social w

Waves with Mike (@mmmiiike) and Mitzi (@mmmitzi).

For more from Arcade, follow us on Instagram and TikTok @helloarcade. https://www.arcadearcade.ca/

S6 - present Production by Morgan Berna, editing by Harrison Neef.