How are brands becoming wingmen? Why are we seeking spaces just to ‘be’? How is internet dating changing nightlife? And why are adults reconnecting with their inner child?

While the past decade has seen the rise of maker culture - from crafting to hacking - DIY retailers seem to have been left out. And yet, despite a shaky housing market, the desire to improve one’s home has never been stronger. So what’s behind this mismatch, and how can brands transform into buzzing hives for a new generation of DIYers?

More than half of US homeowners think now is a good time to renovate. But with growing environmental awareness, there’s a desire for more eco-friendly home improvement. Can TreeHouse – hailed as the ‘Whole Foods of DIY’ – revolutionise the sector with a focus on education and sustainability?

2015 will see an avalanche of virtual reality devices appear in the mass market, with the likes of Sony, Google, Facebook and Microsoft targeting gamers across the globe. The technology may now be an attainable reality, but will it be used for anything beyond video games?

Billed as the world’s first VR entertainment facility, Melbourne-based Zero Latency gives visitors a truly immersive experience for a small price. It provides an alternative, accessible way for people to experience the tech, but can it convince consumers that VR has a place in the mainstream?

Since launching in 2013, Marriott’s Travel Brilliantly campaign has been pioneering the future of travel, from mobile check-in to in-room Netflix. Now, guests are able to order exclusive VR content to their rooms. How can travel brands use this tech to boost sales and strengthen consumer loyalty?

Stressed out by mortgages, childcare and mountains of laundry, an increasing number of adults are turning to colouring books to unwind. With studies suggesting that even brief periods of art-making can reduce levels of anxiety, could this childhood pastime provide better relief than yoga?

The great outdoors is having a moment. The outdoor apparel industry made $4 billion in 2014. But with more people living in cities than ever before, what it means to be ‘outdoorsy’ is changing. A new consumer has emerged; the casual camper. But who are they? And how are brands engaging them?