Over the last twenty years, the world has never been so connected. At the turn of the century, the digital realm seems to have invaded analogue layers, redefining standards, lifestyles, interactions, and the way we connect and use spaces. This social redefinition is strongly attributed to Generation Z—the cohort born during the transition from the 20th to the 21st century, between the 1990s and 2010s. But do you know the defining characteristics of this group?
Historically, the definition of different generations began with the names assigned to cohorts born at different times starting in the second half of the 20th century. In this regard, baby boomers—as those belonging to Generation X are called, a group classified as those born between the 1960s and 1970s, notably after World War II—are characterized by the early pursuit of professional success and, consequently, homeownership and family building under 30. Meanwhile, Millennials—as the cohort belonging to Generation Y born between the 1970s and 1990s is called—are the pioneers of the Internet. Innovators, they were the first to take a step toward the so-called Digital Age and produce the first computers, games, emails, and social networks, enabling advancements in long-distance communication. Today, Generation Z is changing the landscape of communication, production, and the appropriation of space, where technology serves as a tool to facilitate daily life, becoming an absolute necessity.
According to a report published in 2018 by WGSN (Worth Global Style Network)—a world leader in coolhunting services and a pioneer in trend forecasting for lifestyle, architecture, design, and fashion—Generation Z can be subdivided into two categories: “Gen We” and “Gen Me”. The first refers to “Generation We,” focused on the collective and the needs of the population as a group, while the second, “Generation Me” [1], focuses on the individual and personal duties. Nevertheless, despite this apparent subdivision, both share connectivity as a common thread—a tool that will bring about radical changes in the coming years at an unprecedented pace, fostering a series of shared intellectual values.
