Macaroni

Allow me to start this final trend conversation with an apology to anyone who was raised in a home where macaroni broadly refers to pasta of any type, shape, or consistency. In my house it was mac and cheese and due to budget constraints, it was only on a rare occasion the name brand version graced our table. To my surprise there’s no geometric name given to this shape but whether in a half or quarter circle configuration the survey this year churned up enough Macaroni based logos to feed a small nation. Yes, this is the second shape of the year as referenced under the Almond trend.

Designers had considered this trend from some fairly unique perspectives that highlighted it dimensionally, tubular, squared and extruded, folded, cast in gradients but seldom with marinara. And as building blocks, these macaroni proved both expected and surprising. This same shape conveys a corporate message and aesthetic as well as playful when called upon. The flexibility of this component is on full display and speaks to steps on a symbolic pathway, flow and process, simplicity, and clarification as well as a no-nonsense familiarity from its simple geometry. I had to ask myself how many of these designers had their moment of creative clarity while helping their children with a pasta craft art project.