By Rutu Mody Kamdar, Founder, Jigsaw Brand Consultants
If your social media feed recently felt like a whimsical blend of Studio Ghibli animations, Pixar characters, and Wes Anderson films—you’re not imagining things. From reimagined cafés and stylised product packaging to AI-filtered selfies, we’re living in a world where AI-generated visual trends dominate the digital landscape. And brands are diving in headfirst.
Welcome to the era of AI-powered moment marketing, where speed, shareability, and visual novelty rule. But in this race to stay relevant, a deeper question emerges: Are brands building genuine connections, or simply chasing trends to stay visible?
Let’s unpack how these aesthetic waves are shaping brand behavior—and what lies beneath the surface.
Studio Ghibli: Turning the Ordinary into Enchanted Worlds
One of the most captivating recent trends is the Studio Ghibli-style transformation of everyday scenes. With tools like Playground AI and Lensa, users began turning simple photos—streets, pets, meals—into lush, pastel-hued visuals reminiscent of Hayao Miyazaki’s storytelling magic.
Brands were quick to follow.
Food companies stylised burgers into storybook meals. Travel brands gave familiar destinations a fantasy glow-up. Lifestyle labels borrowed Ghibli’s soft palette to reframe their packaging as part of a dreamlike world.
The appeal is obvious: Ghibli evokes nostalgia and escapism, two powerful emotional hooks. Done right, the aesthetic offers more than just visual pleasure—it creates a moment of wonder in a chaotic scroll.
But the catch? As more brands jumped in, the magic began to blur. Without differentiation or depth, many executions felt repetitive—a reminder that AI may democratise creativity, but it can also flatten it when overused.
Pixar-fication: Animating the Familiar
Before the Ghibli wave came the Pixar-fy Yourself trend. Social feeds were flooded with AI-generated avatars—complete with oversized eyes, warm expressions, and the comforting charm of a Pixar film.
The trend was light-hearted, personal, and highly shareable.
Brands responded by animating themselves. FMCG brands gave their products Pixar-style personalities. Service brands redesigned support avatars. Even pet food companies jumped in, giving their mascots Pixar-like expressions to tug at the heartstrings.
The emotional accessibility of the Pixar look—rooted in childhood memories and universal warmth—made it a perfect fit for brands aiming to appear friendly and relatable.
But again, saturation followed. Without brand alignment or thoughtful storytelling, many of these executions ended up feeling generic—fun, but forgettable.
Wes Anderson: Quirk, Symmetry, and Visual Storytelling
Then came the Wes Anderson aesthetic—a visual trend rooted in symmetry, muted pastels, and curated quirkiness. What began as a niche for design lovers quickly hit the mainstream thanks to AI.
Brands of all kinds jumped on board. Travel companies reimagined local landmarks through Anderson’s lens. Cafés posted shots with caption lines like, “A coffee shop, directed by Wes Anderson.” Even fintech brands gave their content a pastel twist, dressing serious information in playful visuals.
Unlike Ghibli or Pixar, this trend had a narrative undertone. Anderson’s style naturally lent itself to world-building and storytelling—making it a great fit for brands that leaned into the mood, not just the look.
But again, the risk lay in superficial mimicry. Without substance or brand alignment, some attempts felt like aesthetic cosplay rather than meaningful communication.
The Big Question: Signal or Noise?
AI has unlocked a new toolkit for trend-driven marketing—one that’s fast, affordable, and endlessly generative. But it also presents a challenge: Are brands using this power to create relevance, or are they simply contributing to the clutter?
The paradox is clear. While visual trends can bring short-term spikes in engagement, long-term brand equity is built on authenticity, clarity, and consistency. Consumers—especially younger, hyper-aware ones—can quickly spot when a brand is chasing a trend for attention versus when it’s adding thoughtful value.
There’s also the matter of cultural and artistic appropriation. Styles like Ghibli and Wes Anderson aren’t just visual templates—they carry histories, legacies, and intent. Using them without understanding or acknowledgment risks turning rich art forms into disposable content formats.
So, What Should Brands Do?
AI-generated visual trends aren’t going anywhere. If anything, they’re evolving faster. But the brands that thrive will be the ones that participate selectively and meaningfully.
Here’s what that looks like:
- Choose trends that align naturally with your brand’s tone, voice, and values.
- Infuse your own perspective—don’t just apply a filter; tell a story that only your brand can tell.
- Treat trends as creative canvases, not as checklists or shortcuts.
- Respect the cultural origins and artistic styles you borrow from—give credit, context, and care.
Because while AI can create visuals in seconds, only brands can create meaning. And in a digital world overflowing with content, meaning is what makes people stop, connect, and remember.
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the position of the publication.
