Understanding the

Elements and
Characteristics
of a Trend
OBJECTIVES

❖POINT OUT THE ELEMENTS THAT MAKE UP A TREND

❖DESCRIBE THE DIFFERENT CHARACTERISTICS OF A
TREND
❖ ILLUSTRATE THE ELEMENTS AND CHARACTERISTICS OF
A TREND THROUGH SYMBOLS.
 Directions: Read and analyze the statements
carefully. Identify whether the given descriptions pertain
to a trend or a fad. Write T for TREND and F for FAD.
Write your answers on a separate sheet of paper.
________1. It is something such as interest or fashion
that becomes popular for short period of time.
________2. A recurrent phenomenon that takes place
over time and gives rise to speculation on the future.
________3. It is a pattern of group behavior that lasts for
a long period of time.
________4. It is sometimes referred to as “rage or
craze”.
________5. It is a pattern, a direction, or a movement
in a way something is changing towards a style or idea.
________6. Examples of this are hula hoop, yo-yo and
virtual pets.
________7. It is a new item that stabilizes to an
enduring product or a practice that transforms into a
habit or style.
________8. It is characterized by a quick rise in
sales and popularity followed by a quick decline.
________9. It fades when the perception of
novelty is gone, transforms into a habit or a
lifestyle.
________10. It appears suddenly, becomes
enormously popular, and does not disappear but
rather gets stronger over time.
________11. It may come as a general movement
registering statistical changes for a longer period of
time such as the increasing cost of living and rate of
unemployment.
________12. It is an intense but short-lived fashion.
________13. It is something that covers almost all of
human activities such as but not limited to politics, beliefs,
economics, lifestyle, social life and the like whether the
individuals or groups of people are aware of it or not.
________14. It has a certain beginning at a particular
time in history, but it evolves and changes as it
continues to grow.
________15. Examples of this are business process
outsourcing, online ticketing, and cashless
transactions.
 Understanding the Elements
and Characteristics of a Trend
• When you see cumulonimbus clouds suddenly
formed within the horizon, you would probably
guess that a rain or thunderstorm is imminent.
When rain comes moments later, surely you would
exclaim that you were right about your guess. You
were able to spot an incoming rain.
• That was about spotting an incoming rain, but,
how about a trend? Can you spot a trend? In the
previous module, you were introduced to the
 Understanding the Elements
and Characteristics of a Trend
• In this lesson, you will learn to spot the elements
of a trend, and what characterizes it from
microtrends and macrotrends at one end to
megatrends and gigatrends at the other.
• What starts as barely perceptible oscillations
in our immediate environment may become the
great movements of history. The trick is to spot
which ones will develop and how far it will last.
Some people like to categorize trends and a good
 What’s New
Directions: Examine the pictures below. Describe each picture briefly. Write your
answers on a separate sheet of paper.

1. 2.

This Photo by Unknown Author is

licensed under CC BY-NC

3. 4.
5. 6.

7. 8.

This Photo by Unknown Author is

licensed under CC BY-NC
9. 10.
 What is It
What makes a trend a trend? In the previous module, you
have learned the distinction between a fad and a trend. A trend
is a pattern of behavior demonstrated by a big number of
people within a particular period and that which continuously
grow and evolve overtime while a fad is an intense but short-
lived fashion. With this distinction, we can therefore identify
the elements which comprise a trend. In this regard, Urgel
(2017) enumerated the following elements and characteristics
of a trend:
Elements of a Trend

1. Number of participants pertains to people who follow a certain trend which is

started by an individual or a group of people.
• The group then grows into a community, and eventually swells into national and
international societies.
• For example, the prevailing fashion of a period, follows what celebrities are
wearing or what fashion designers offer. People often copy the trendsetters and so
a new fashion trend develops.
• In the recent century, styles of clothing are usually distinguished by decades. One
example of this is denim jeans that became a casual wear by all genders on a
regular basis. Jeans are especially perfect for crafting swoon-worthy ensembles
mostly due to the fact that they work well with just about anything especially when
it comes to different looks (Griswold and Maguire 2020).
 2. Pattern of behavior refers to a trend that is formed from repetitive
actions of people.
• For example, the simple act of taking a selfie has now become a cultural
trend. It is almost impossible not to see someone taking a selfie in any place -
be it in a tourist spot, in a restaurant, in a hotel lobby, beside a movie poster
in a cinema, in a concert hall, and at an event, among others.
• Before smartphones and portable digital cameras, pictures or portraits were
taken by another person.
• The selfie phenomenon enabled people to construct themselves visually and
present it to the public by putting it on social media. Others view the taking
of selfies with disdain as a symbol of narcissism and superficiality, while
others consider it as an act of self-exploration and a gauge for acceptance.
 3. Long period of time is one of the crucial elements of a trend which means
that a trend has to have a long-time frame, sometime running for decades.
• A trend may experience some ups and downs in popularity, may fade away, and
may recur.
• A good example of this element of trend is the telephone. It is a communication
instrument that revolutionized modern living and created various social impacts.
• It was soon overtaken by the popularity of mobile phones in the late 1990s that
have text messaging feature.
• Then newer technologies allowed smartphones to include many applications and
internet connectivity. Although telephones are still present in homes and offices,
smartphones clearly have gotten ahead in functionality and usage.
4. Cause refers to the starting point of a trend which can be an idea, a technology,
an event or a person.
• All trends have beginnings and someone or somebody definitely started it. The
question here is, how did it start?
• Now, this becomes quite obvious as all material elements of a culture started
with one’s ideas, therefore, it is also conclusive that one starting point of a
trend was an idea. Someone or somebody thought about it in the first place.
• Let us go back to the evolution of telephone mentioned above. If you will try to
think about it, it was Alexander Graham Bell who first invented and
engineered the very first telephone back in 1876
(https://www.britannica.com). What do you think prompted him to such
an endeavor?
• Well, if you guessed that it began with an idea of bridging the gap of a long –
distance relations though live voice communication then you must be right.
• So, besides the snail mails which were already prevalent those times, people had another
option – the telephone.
• Fast forward a bit, back in the late 1990’s, these messages through mails or letters evolved and
entered the digital world through beepers while telephones also evolved into cellular mobile
phones.
• At present, all those separate features plus some more were combined into the devices we
presently called “smartphones.” Believe it or not, all of these were one’s ideas which
eventually turned into a reality.

The Walkman revolutionized music

playing. Portable audio players today can trace back their
roots to the Walkman.
5. Consequence refers to the considerable impact or influence of a trend.
• Social networking has become an encompassing trend that tends to influence
behaviors of online users.
• With the popularity of smartphones, users began subscribing to various social
networking portals which enable them to post activity statuses and photos, and
even connect with celebrities.
• Currently, these social media platforms and their messaging and video conferencing
features are finding their relevance today especially for the students and teachers.
• For example, due to the pandemic, teachers, students and parents use these features
for the virtual teaching and learning process. However, this trend can also
create a rather negative consequence among its followers. One example is
depicted on the illustration below.
• Quality time among family members to share one another’s presence is
being diverted to other less relevant concerns brought about by the social
media.
• They can literally be described as “near yet so far” which means that they
may be physically near each other, in fact, sharing food on the same table,
yet their attention is far from the family moment.
Characteristics of Trends
Trends are difficult to study and analyze. Studying them is like predicting the
future and determining what changes may possibly last and thus have wide effects
on society and the people.
Just like predicting an incoming rain or storm, it is quite difficult to measure
its impending aftermath. It may yield a good outcome for the farmers especially
when they are in great need of water for their crops, but at the same time it can also
yield damages to other areas.
Rehn and Lindkvist (2013) mentioned a so-called hierarchy of trends, which
explains why trends seem to have varying reach, effects, and influences on people.
This hierarchy is a representation of the scale of the development of a trend. To
better explain this, here is the tabular representation of these characteristics with
some examples.
Characteristics Microtrends Macrotrends Megatrends Gigatrends
These are “little These are These are These are
things that happen “aggregated macrotrends “trends that
all around us all microtrends that have grown up are so general
and moved out. that they affect
the time, the tiny or more They are big, bold most areas of
sweeping
shifts that occur in and affect the lives of human life─ or,
changes that are
everything from
affecting great swathes of the at least, more
Descriptions human race.” They Than one
and Features
clothes we wear society.”
and the snacks we They provide can last for decades aspect of life or
and are “so pervasive more than one
eat to the way we major changes
as to be generally industry.” They
work, play, and that are known.” They have are usually
love.” These trends perceptible become the prevailing identified to
happen right now in the societal condition that has define an era
level for a become too normal.
and are outright
longer period
observable.
Characteristics Microtrends Macrotrends Megatrends Gigatrends
Example/s Smartphone Varying Smartphones Internet or
Apps/Games Smartphone Which are the World
which are brands Dependent on Wide Web
dependent on the internet. which may
(iPhones
the capabilities Smartphones be
vs. android are widely used considered
of a smartphone
phones) by almost all as the soul of
(these
apps/games Battle for people in the almost all
oftentimes lose popularity world. technology.
their Popularity of these
overtime). smartphones
 Besides the above example, trends can also refer to
movements, ideologies, concepts, beliefs, and more. The
important thing in studying trends is to observe them
closely for subtle and sudden shifts that ultimately affect
people, cultures, and societies in general. In the next
module, you will be provided with a more in-depth study of
the characteristics/ hierarchy of trends.
 What’s More
Directions: Illustrate through symbols the elements and characteristics of a trend and why everyone
needs to cope with them. Draw your illustration on a separate sheet of paper.

Elements of a Trend Characteristics/Hierarchy of a Trend

Number of participants Microtrends

Pattern of behavior Macrotrends

Long period of time Megatrends

Cause Gigatrends

Consequence
 What I Have Learned

1. What generates a trend? Who are involved in creating a trend?

_________________________________________________________________________________
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_
_________________________________________________________________________________
_
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_________________________________________________________________________________
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2. Why is time frame important in a trend?

_________________________________________________________________________________
_
3. What are the issues and opportunities brought about by trends? How do we respond
during this time of pandemic?
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
4. Name five trends and classify them according to the hierarchy of trends. Explain why each is
a trend and why you classify it as such.

Trend Reason Hierarchy

denim jeans
4. Name five trends and classify them according to the hierarchy of
trends. Explain why each is a trend and why you classify it as such .

Trend Reason Hierarchy

denim jeans Megatrends

 What I Can Do

Directions: Make a collage showing the concept of elements and characteristics of

a trend. Provide a concise explanation of your work.

Materials needed: old newspaper, magazine, paste/glue, scissor, manila paper

Note: Be careful on using sharp objects.
 2-Point Rubric- Short Response
2 Points The response has sufficient number of relevant facts, definitions,
concrete details, and/or other information according to the
requirements of the prompt.

1 Point The response has some relevant facts, definitions, concrete details,
and/or other information according to the requirements of the prompt.

0 Point The response is totally inaccurate.

 Rubrics for Collage
Criteria 5 4 3 2
Content and Collage is well- Collage Collage composition Collage is weak;
Organization compose; content is content is needs fine- tuned; content is
appropriate appropriate content is irrelevant not suitable for use
and fits the requirements and fits the and/or confusing
requirements
Some excellent Shows a good sense Shows some sense of Lacks any creative
sense of design. Great of design. Evidence design with little design or effort. Stock images
evidence of creativity. of creativity. creativity; used are low resolution.
All images were close Most images were stock images used were Content is disconnected.
Image cropped properly close cropped not modified. Images Images were place; not
Manipulation/ properly were not close cropped. manipulated
Design/Creativity
Collage Provide a concise Provide some Provide poor Poor quality images; No
Expression and explanation explanations explanations explanation found
Report on the images of the images of the images
representation representation representation
Followed All the requirements are Most of the Some of the Many of the requirements were
Directions met and/or exceeded requirements were requirements were met. missed.
expectations. met.
 Rubric for Poster
Criteria 5 4 3 2
Relevance All graphics are related to the topic All graphics All graphics relate to Graphics do not
and are related to the topic the topic. Most relate to the topic or
make it easier to understand. and most make it easier borrowed graphics have several borrowed
All borrowed graphics have a to understand. a source citation. graphics do not have
source citation. All borrowed graphics a source citation.
have a source citation.

Originality Several of the graphics used One or two of the The graphics are made No graphics made by
on the poster reflect an exceptional graphics used on the by the student, but are the student are
degree of student poster reflect student based on the included.
creativity in creativity in their designs or ideas of
their creation and/or display. creation and/or display. others.

Attractiveness The poster is exceptionally The poster is attractive in The poster is acceptably The poster
attractive in terms of terms of attractive though it may is distractingly messy
design, layout, and neatness. design, layout and be a bit messy. or very poorly
neatness. designed. It is not
attractive.
 Directions: Read and analyze the
statements carefully. Identify whether the given
descriptions pertain to a trend or a fad. Write
MINAMAHAL for TREND and
SINASAKTAN for FAD. Write your answers on
a separate sheet of paper.
________1. It is something such as interest or fashion
that becomes popular for short period of time.
________2. A recurrent phenomenon that takes place
over time and gives rise to speculation on the future.
________3. It is a pattern of group behavior that lasts for
a long period of time.
________4. It is sometimes referred to as “rage or
craze”.
________5. It is a pattern, a direction, or a movement
in a way something is changing towards a style or idea.
________6. Examples of this are hula hoop, yo-yo and
virtual pets.
________7. It is a new item that stabilizes to an
enduring product or a practice that transforms into a
habit or style.
________8. It is characterized by a quick rise in
sales and popularity followed by a quick decline.
________9. It fades when the perception of
novelty is gone, transforms into a habit or a
lifestyle.
________10. It appears suddenly, becomes
enormously popular, and does not disappear but
rather gets stronger over time.
________11. It may come as a general movement
registering statistical changes for a longer period of
time such as the increasing cost of living and rate of
unemployment.
________12. It is an intense but short-lived fashion.
________13. It is something that covers almost all of
human activities such as but not limited to politics, beliefs,
economics, lifestyle, social life and the like whether the
individuals or groups of people are aware of it or not.
________14. It has a certain beginning at a particular
time in history, but it evolves and changes as it
continues to grow.
________15. Examples of this are business process
outsourcing, online ticketing, and cashless
transactions.
16. Which of the following is not an element
of trend?
A. truth C. pattern of behavior
B. consequence D. number of participants
17. Which of the following statements is not true about the
characteristics of a trend?
A. A trend makes considerable influence or impact.
B. A trend is formed from non-repetitive actions of people.
C. A trend has a starting point which can be an idea,
technology, event or person.
D. A trend may be started by an individual, but the number
of followers increases in a certain period of time.
18. The current obsession with health and well-being is one of the
positive trends today. Which of the following practices is not a
manifestation of coping up with this given trend?
A. hair straightening and skin whitening as beauty regimen
B. the immensely popular application of meditation practices
C. organic farming as an alternative to synthetic and chemical-
laden products
D. exercise and extreme sports for those who can afford the
luxuries of enrolling in a gym or engaging in elite sports
19. These are little things that happen all around
us all the time, the tiny shifts that occur in
everything from the clothes we wear, and the
snacks we eat, the way we work, play and love.
A. Gigatrends C. Megatrends
B. Macrotrends D. Microtrends
20. They can last for decades and are
so pervasive as generally known.
A. Gigatrends C. Megatrends
B. Macrotrends D. Microtrends
21. This refers to aggregated
microtrends or more sweeping
changes that affects the society.
A. Gigatrends C. Megatrends
B. Macrotrends D. Microtrends
22. This refers to the characteristic of
trends that provide major changes
perceptible in the societal level for a
longer period.
A. Gigatrends C. Megatrends
B. Macrotrends D. Microtrends
23. The following are elements or
components of a trend except ____.
A. long period of time
B. pattern of behavior
C. strategic alternatives
D. number of participants
24. The following are the
characteristics or the hierarchy of a
trend except
A. Gigatrends C. Megatrends
B. Macrotrends D. Nanotrends
25. The latest research has shown that 42 percent of the U.S. labor force is now
working from home, but even after the pandemic, the anticipated share of
working-from-home days is set to triple compared to pre-pandemic levels. While
this trend continues, which of the following predictions, inventions and events do
you think is most likely to happen?
A. Now many people are working, learning, and keeping everyone entertained
from home seven days a week.
B. Video streaming, which has seen tremendous growth in adoption this year, will
undoubtedly continue to be a major part of the way we live and do business after
the pandemic recedes.
C. The data sharing and open collaboration practices that have been crucial to the
fight against COVID will lead to greater public-private and cross-industry
collaboration moving forward.
D. Videoconferencing may be the tool professionals have been looking for to
achieve that highly sought-after but elusive goal of work life balance.