Creative Trends for 2026, Dignity Design, and Duolingo’s Hooters Stunt

Trends

Canva and Adobe Point to a More Human Approach to Creativity in 2026

Two more trend reports have been released ahead of 2026, offering a helpful snapshot of where creative work is heading in the new year. Canva’s third annual Design Predictions Report frames the year as “Imperfect by Design,” suggesting that brands and creators are moving away from overly polished visuals in favour of work that feels more authentic, human, and a little rough around the edges, even as AI continues to play a bigger role in the process. Trends like Reality Warp, Prompt Playground, GrannyWave, and Notes App Chic reflect a growing comfort with experimentation and personality.

Adobe also published its 2026 Creative Trends Report, which points in a similar direction, highlighting themes like All the Feels, Connectioneering, and Surreal Silliness, alongside a stronger emphasis on Local Flavour and cultural nuance. Together, the reports suggest that in 2026, creative that connects will feel relatable, emotionally grounded, and rooted in real experiences rather than striving for perfection.

Industry News

The Dignity Bag Brings Safety and Visibility to Montreal’s Binners

A new piece of design is hitting Montreal’s streets with a practical purpose: giving binners, the workers who collect cans and bottles for recycling, safety, efficiency, and recognition. No Fixed Address partnered with Coop Les Valoristes to create The Dignity Bag, built from a single piece of industrial tarp with reflective elements, safety straps, and space for 240 cans. The bag was co-designed with binners themselves, informed by their daily routes and real-world needs, and features bold type that can be adapted for different cities to foster a sense of identity. A short film directed by Thomas Soto profiles Alexandre, a Montreal binner who helped shape the bag, highlighting the physical and emotional realities of the work. While the initiative starts in Montreal, the design is open, affordable, and intended for communities worldwide. The campaign is hinged on a simple object with a powerful message: the people who keep our recycling systems moving deserve to be seen.

Duolingo Turns Closed Hooters Locations into Its Latest Stunt

Duolingo is continuing its run of attention-grabbing stunts with a new installation tied to several closed Hooters locations. The language-learning brand recently placed “coming soon” signage at four shuttered restaurants across the U.S., prompting online speculation about what the owl has planned.

In a statement shared with USA TODAY, Duolingo leaned into its familiar, dry humour, saying Duo had “spotted empty nests” and decided to see who noticed. While the brand hasn’t confirmed what the installations are for, some fans believe the move could be connected to Duo’s Taqueria, Duolingo’s Pittsburgh-based taco restaurant that opened in 2023 and has since become a local favourite. Regardless of what’s coming next, the activation fits neatly into a year of meme-driven moments from the brand, following stunts like the brief “death” of Duo earlier this year and ongoing social plays that blur the line between marketing and internet culture.

Athletic Brewing Returns with “Athletic January” for Dry January 2026

Athletic Brewing Company is kicking off the new year with the return of its “Athletic January” campaign, now in its second year, aimed at encouraging moderation in January and beyond. This year, the effort expands with a partnership with OpenTable, letting diners use an interactive map to find restaurants across the U.S. and Canada that serve Athletic’s nonalcoholic beers. The campaign also continues its popular “Ask for Athletic” program, offering a $5 rebate on a can or draft pour at participating retailers for anyone requesting Athletic Brewing at new businesses.

The push taps into growing interest in sobriety and the “sober-curious” movement, with nearly half of Americans planning to drink less this year, a 44% increase from 2023. By making moderation accessible and fun, Athletic January not only gives consumers new ways to enjoy nonalcoholic options but also supports restaurants and bars, 39% of whose patrons say they’re more likely to return when nonalcoholic choices are available. With the nonalcoholic beer market projected to reach nearly $5 billion by 2028, Athletic is ensuring it starts the year front and center in the space.