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First Coined In 2013 Heroic Design trend icon

Heroic Design

(Originally curated 2014) Design takes a leading role in the introduction of new products, ideas, and inspiration to change the world in nuanced, audacious, irreverent, and sometimes unexpectedly heroic ways.

This trend was curated in the 2013 and 2016 editions of the Non-Obvious Trend Report.

Download The Full 2013 Report Free ↓ Read A Book Excerpt
The 2013 Non-Obvious Trend Report, where Heroic Design was first coined

First published in the 2013 Non-Obvious Trend Report →

Trend Longevity Rating

A Graded A in 2026 ·
an exceptional prediction that grew more true over time

How this trend held up

The growth of design thinking and a continued global need for audacious solutions to problems facing humankind have made this a trend we see renewed examples of every year.

Every past trend prediction is re-reviewed and graded with a Trend Longevity Rating, measuring how much each originally curated trend still matters years later.

Where It Led

This trend evolved into a megatrend.

In 2020, Heroic Design was identified as one of the past trends that evolved into the megatrend Purposeful Profit: As consumers and employees demand more sustainable and ethical practices from businesses, companies respond by adapting products, taking stands on issues, and putting purpose first.

Explore The Purposeful Profit Megatrend →

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