Trend Reports and How To Use Them as a Surface Pattern Designer
A quick read about upcoming 2026 trends and how to fit this information into your style.
What is a trend report? A trend report is a collection of themes, motifs, and patterns that will start appearing in fashion, wallpaper, gift items, and more in the future.
At the end of the year, Pinterest releases its Pinterest Trend Report for the following year. This report highlights trends set to appear in 2026, giving artists and designers new ideas that have long-term growth.
Some of the highlights for me personally are:
Laced Up: Doilies and intricate lace designs are in style. As a surface pattern designer, my mind immediately jumps to how I can use lace as coordinating or blender patterns in my collections.
Pen Pals: Stamps! These days, we are all aware of AI and how it impacts the art world. This trend steers us away from AI and looks for hand-drawn charm. Surface pattern designers should focus on imperfections, wobbles, and hand lettering (if that’s your thing). Just think of how cute a postage stamp pattern or hand-lettered statement piece would look on a planner cover!
Throwback Kids: This was my personal favorite trend from the Pinterest trend report. Who doesn’t want to go back and be reminded of toys they used to play with and clothes they used to wear? Surface pattern designers looking to design for children’s goods can have a lot of fun with this trend. I personally created a vintage toy collection based on this trend, and it truly is nostalgic.
There are many other trends featured in the report, and it can seem overwhelming. As an artist and surface pattern designer, it is important to note that you do NOT have to have designs featuring all of the trends, nor do you need to change your style. Pick 2-3 trends that fit your niche and design direction, and maybe create a few mini collections. What the Pinterest trend report also does is let you know what search terms people are using, and this is such valuable information. If you use those same search times in your pins, you’re more likely to have your artwork found by potential clients or buyers.
I want to discuss one more trend report that I find invaluable. It is released at the end of the year, and it is the Trend Forecasting Report from CatCoq. Her report is actually specifically for artists. She lists around 20 upcoming themes and topics, and they are a mix of macro and micro trends.
Highlights from CatCoq’s report that resonated with me are:
Painterly Marks: A quick search on Spoonflower and you’ll see a lot of abstract pieces with lines, and yet the designs still look refined and intentional. Buyers and art directors want rough edges and sketchbook-inspired designs. This trend reminds us we don’t always have to be perfect, even when creating art digitally.
Frog Forward: When we look at clothing, home products, and more, we usually see an animal across multiple product lines (last year it was geese). In 2026, CatCoq says frogs are going to be the “standout animal”. Surface pattern designers should use this information to help them choose motifs for their collections.
Olives: Just like a “standout animal”, there’s usually a standout food item. Last year, pickles dominated the scene. CatCoq predicts olives will steal the show in 2026. They are emerging as a micro-trend and are a fun, versatile motif to include in your collections.
I could go on and on about all the information CatCoq provides in her trend forecasting report, but that’s not what this post is about.
Trends don’t have to be overwhelming or restrictive. In this post, I show surface pattern designers how to use Pinterest Trends and the CatCoq trend forecasting report to create intentional, market-ready pattern collections. Rather than copying trends or trying to fit yourself into every trend, this approach helps designers used trend reports as a guide. Use trends as a way to be more strategic when you’re planning your collections.
