Theme Challenge #1

Purple and Black Aesthetic

Welcome to our first theme challenge!

Think of this as a common design brief we are all working toward in our individual niches and styles. Based on the surveys I've received so far, and the bit of sleuthing work I've been able to complete based on recognizing almost everyone from the Zazzle forums, I believe just about all of us are on Pinterest.

Deadline: Products designed and custom covers created by Friday, September 12.

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Details for Theme Challenge #1

Our first theme challenge is to create at least one product, or even better, a mini-collection of at least 5 items (so you can hit that cross-sell requirement) focused on the colors purple and black.

If you want to benefit from a trending cultural phenomenon for both this year and especially this season, I consider investigating the more specific details below. I've even done a little research regarding the niche on Zazzle and Pinterest.

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Inspiration

This challenge is largely inspired by the hit show on Netflix, "Wednesday." It is based on the original 1960s black and white classic, "The Addams Family." While I did not watch the show when it originally aired, I do remember watching it when I was growing up. (It was on one of those channels where if you moved the "bunny ears" just right, and if someone held them for a minute, you could see it through the snowy screen if the stars and moon were aligned!)

In doing a little research, I found what I suspected: The new show's audience is vast, with about 85% of the audience spanning an audience varying in age from about 13 to early 40s. This is quickly evident on Pinterest, where you will find a good number of wedding themes, birthday offerings, and home decor dedicated to this color scheme or the Wednesday character herself.

The show is also especially well-loved within the Latiné community, as several of the lead actors including the titular character, Wednesday, are Latiné or of Latiné/Hispanic descent. September is also Latiné Heritage month.

If you are unfamiliar with the original show, or the new "Wednesday" sensation, here are a couple of trailers if you'd like to familiarize yourself with the content. If you really want to know why all the little girls are obsessed though, just watch the third link below to watch the "Wednesday dance." :D

The original Addams Family show
Wednesday Season 2 trailer

The Wednesday Dance

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Notes & Tips

Important Reminders Before You Begin

1. Obviously you can't directly label anything with the show, characters, their likeness, etc. for Zazzle. I would also be careful of anything too close to the show's typeface. That doesn't mean people won't be able to see the relationship, however. :D

2. Yes, this color scheme isn't new. And depending on your niche (cough...wedding people...), you may initially be overwhelmed with the results. However, if you narrow down with another key word or two, I think you will find your sweet spot quite quickly...especially if you aren't trying to create a wedding suite.

Zazzle Title Suggestions and Word Order

1. Purple and Black

2. For most niches, add at least one more modifier here
   (eg. vintage, gothic, stripes, polka dots, whimsical, coquette, dark)

3. Event/Occasion

Pinterest Keywords to Consider for Your Descriptions
purple and black aesthetic, purple gothic aesthetic, wednesday addams aesthetic*, tim burton aesthetic* (*DON'T USE THESE ON ZAZZLE!)

[TINY FONT: Blue is "Wednesday Addams aesthetic," green is "purple and black aesthetic," purple is "Tim Burton aesthetic," and orange is purple goth aesthetic.]

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****TOP SECRET: Some Promising Pinterest Trends****
(Please don't share outside of our group! Thanks for joining. :D )

Here are the included keywords: Purple is "vintage aesthetic," green is "whimsigoth," blue is "dark feminine," and orange is "dark cottagecore."

Definitely some trends to watch. Some were even higher or rapidly approaching the "vintage aesthetic," which was in the Pinterest Fall Trends 2025 guide.

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Time to Get Rolling!

Still not sure what to create? Grab some more inspiration here, or try entering any of the keywords I shared in the charts above!

Please post any questions, thoughts, or your own tips and insights below.

Happy creating!
Amanda


One more interesting chart

If you received the original post email (back when we were on Fourthwall), you saw something about a comparison in the second graph keeping the "Tim Burton aesthetic" from the first chart to show the promise of the "top secret" key words I shared with you. :D Here is the chart I meant to include.

Blue is "Tim Burton aesthetic." Green is "whimsigoth." Purple is "Dark cottagecore." Orange is "Dark feminine."