SHIFT

Nearby

INTRODUCTION
Remember a time when #wanderlust occupied our social media feeds? When everyone was either somewhere exotic, planning how to get there or daydreaming about being there.

But then came the pandemic – when the faraway became dangerous and nearby became a safe haven. Travelling from the bedroom to the kitchen became the popular meme and though it was meant as a joke, our new reality was difficult to swallow at first. But then as the days turned into months, a new paradigm began to take shape. If we can’t go out into the world, why can’t we find the world nearby?

Where things are going

Dining
Then

Restaurants

Now

Delivery
Services

Later

World in
Your Kitchen

Travelling
Then

Globetrotting

Now

Homebound

Later

Virtual Reality

Cinema
Then

Movie Theatres

Now

Streaming Services

Later

Cinemas at Home

Shopping
Then

Malls

Now

Stores in the Neighbourhood

Later

New nearby Retail

Nature
Then

Long Drives

Now

Parks

Later

Urban Ecosystems

Susan and John had an elaborate wedding planned before the pandemic hit. Since they are both die-hard fans of the sitcom The Office, John had recreated a proposal scene from the show while proposing to his bride to be. Unbeknownst to the couple, all their favourite characters from the show would become a part of their virtual wedding, thanks to the power of the internet.

 

And the best part- their wedding was officiated by their favourite character! Only the times could make something like this possible.

NEXT

Drivers of Change