Navigating the Evolving Aesthetics in Food and Beauty Content Production

In the constantly changing world of content creation and the need for distinctiveness, two sectors experiencing a dynamic shift in aesthetics are the food and beauty industries. These sectors are not only changing rapidly, but they are also setting the tone for visual trends that many other industries follow. 

As the internet gets flooded with content, the challenge lies in not just producing good content, but content that stands out. It’s essential for brands to have a distinct voice and style. Let’s take a deeper dive into the changing landscape and explore how creators can navigate this exciting terrain.

Draw inspiration beyond the obvious. Rather than just looking at competitors, brands should seek inspiration from places like nature, architecture and historical art movements. 

Rethink visual metaphors. Overused symbols and imagery lose impact over time. Instead of a standard 'before and after' in beauty content, why not showcase transformations through storytelling or metaphoric visuals? 

And if you are stuck in a creative rut, endlessly scrolling through the same old sources for inspiration, we encourage you to check our editorial section at Director’y, where we offer a wealth of inspiration from diverse creative perspectives, projects and insights.

Experiment like never before. Brands need to be bold and willing to break away from the norm. Mix media and styles, stay open to various techniques, give voice to various creators. By affording creators the opportunity to breathe life into their creativity and explore uncharted territories - remarkable breakthroughs are poised to emerge. A notable instance is the "Mental Soirée - Manual for a Study of Telepathy" project, helmed by Alberto Arellano. Here, we provided the director with the essential tools to unleash his creative prowess. Through a collaboration with CHPTR by Bites, we birthed something genuinely unprecedented and authentic! This endeavour later garnered acclaim across numerous international festivals and competitions, lauded for its innovation and exceptional execution. It serves as a quintessential illustration that through experimentation and daring limits, one can attain unparalleled feats previously unimagined.

Embrace AI. As technology continues to evolve, those that stay ahead of the curve are the ones who approach it with curiosity and a sense of playfulness. Although it may not be clear yet where and how AI can be incorporated into your work, be playful with it and keep teams experimenting to discover potential uses.

While content has evolved, content production hasn’t always moved at the same pace. The expansion of the digital world has changed everything and it’s not going to slow down - in fact, it only seems to be getting faster. As digital continues to expand, content producers should look to approaching digital workflows as their own separate entities. 

With so much scope for creating more for less whilst there is also pressure on budgets, it is important to find smarter production models that help you respond to trends at speed, reuse assets and deliver brand consistency across multiple verticals.

We need to open up production models to a new way of working, one that is flexible and adaptable to the ever-changing needs of brands.

Engage creative studios early. By involving creative experts from the beginning, ideas can be more innovative and aligned with the brand's vision. At Bites, we recognise the pivotal role that creativity plays in driving success, which is why we proudly offer a range of specialised creative services. These services are meticulously designed to facilitate the sharing of our extensive know-how precisely during the critical early stages of concept development. 

Empower art directors. Give them the freedom to experiment, take risks, and redefine the brand's visual language.

Broaden the horizon. Workshops on global art and design trends, technological advancements, or even anthropology can offer a fresh pool of ideas.

Specialise and deep dive. Having specialised teams for food and beauty can ensure an in-depth understanding and unique approach to content creation.

Emphasise pre-production and research. Before jumping into production, a solid groundwork ensures that the content is relevant, fresh, and aligned with current trends. 

Ultimately, the landscape of food and beauty content production is more vibrant and challenging than ever. However, by embracing change, seeking fresh inspirations, and being willing to experiment, brands and creators can not only stay relevant but also redefine the standards of creativity in the digital age. Staying flexible with the mindset that ‘the only constant is change’ can help you fully engage in what’s to come rather than be held back by old ways of thinking.