Having Your Own Niche

One thing I have learnt from FCP is that having a niche for your brand is very important if you want it to stand out on the market. So many large brands have been accused of copying smaller independent brands. I’m sure all of us are aware of the Instagram account and website, Diet Prada. An anonymous duo who outs brands that have copied another brand or stole ideas from cultural references or copied something from 10 years before that had been done.

I am of the opinion that creativity and unique ideas will come naturally when you’re coming up with ideas if you are passionate enough about what you are doing. You may find that they’re similar to other peoples, but you can tell the difference between carbon copies and similarities

I was thinking about niches, not from a design perspective but from a branding perspective. A brand that I think has created a really good niche branding technique is Palace Skateboards. They have catered to their target market and it is clearly shown through their branding who their target market is.

A way in which their branding is done that I find unique compared to other brands, even part of the same market,, is their product descriptions. To appeal to their target audience (18-25-year olds/ skateboarders) their product descriptions use swearing, slang and observational comedy.

By speaking to their target audience in the way they do, people share these descriptions on social media which brings more awareness to the brand. This style of writing is carried through their website and on their social media platforms. Although it isn't the most helpful way of describing a product the images are clear and can be zoomed into. They have size charts to help you with sizing and you can always return your items if you aren't happy with them.