71Signal
Score
I
Its Nice ThatSeptember 7, 2026

Good isn’t good enough: beware the design middle ground

The article emphasizes the importance of avoiding mediocrity in design, suggesting that brands should strive for unique and bold identities rather than conforming to the mainstream. This highlights the need for brand strategies that prioritize innovation and distinctiveness to stand out in a crowded market.

◎ Emergingdesignstrategyidentity

Its Nice That: Design is getting less weird, and the pull to the centre grows stronger every day. Aporva Baxi looks at why this happens through the “accumulation of reasonable decisions” and how to fight back.

Intelligence PanelSignal score: 70.5 / 100
Primary Signal
Emerging
Building momentum — trajectory being tracked
Brand Impact
Medium
Impact score: 70/100 — moderate relevance to positioning decisions
Novelty
Moderate
Novelty: 60/100 — iterative development of an existing theme
Action Priority
Soon
Flag for the next strategic review cycle
Scoring Rationale

The article addresses a crucial aspect of brand identity and design that is highly relevant to professionals, though the concept of avoiding mediocrity is a common theme in the industry.

70
Impact
weight 35%
60
Novelty
weight 30%
80
Relevance
weight 35%
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