Some memories from university last forever—especially when they’re in permanent ink.
As tattoos increase in popularity among young people, trend-focused members of Gen Z may be influenced by which designs their friends choose. But with an overwhelming amount of opinions online about tattoos, which styles are trending, why you should or shouldn’t commit to one, it may be hard to piece together your own opinion on this ancient art form.
For young people, tattoos are nothing new. According to the Pew Research Center, 41 per cent of United States adults ages 18 to 29 have at least one tattoo, making university-aged people one of the most inked demographics. In general, Gen Z gravitates towards designs that are subtle enough to avoid losing out on employment opportunities but personal enough to carry meaning. Often, these include minimalist fine-line work, celestial motifs, and delicate script styles.
These styles are popular in Kingston, where customers’ choices go through “stages and fads,” Ed Hart, owner of TrueHart Tattoo, said in an interview with The Journal. “Right now, very small, fine-line kind of tattoos, very simple stuff, tends to be the new fad.”
In today’s digital age, fads change quickly on social media, which Hart credits for driving customers’ preferences. Platforms like TikTok and Instagram act as inspiration boards, setting popular trends. He explained social media as having the same sales effects as television advertisements. “[Social media] gives people the idea of what they want and then they obsess about it,” Hart said.
It’s also important to consider a tattoo is which trends are timeless versus timely. Over his career, Hart has watched tattoo culture evolve. In earlier years, he found tribal designs and Chinese characters to be the most popular.
While those styles have faded, one constant remains. “Lettering and words tend to be the most popular tattoos of all time,” he said. “Whether getting someone’s name, a phrase, or a saying, that tends to be something that never really goes away.”
No matter the design, all tattoos share the universal risk of contamination. Especially for students, Hart stressed the importance of safety when getting tattooed. “Sometimes it costs a little bit more money than getting it done from a friend in someone’s basement, but it takes two seconds from a mistake to make you sick for the rest of your life, so it’s just not worth the risk.”
Whether you’re planning your first piece or adding another piece to your arm sleeve, getting tattooed as a young person connects you to a large percentage of Gen Z. Considering the way your relationship to your tattoos changes over time, through trends and different workplaces, is important.
However, carefully deciding on a tattoo is as important as loving the ink. When it comes to any tattoo, “know that it’s a lasting thing,” Hart said.
Tags
Art, Culture, fine-line, ink, minimalism, Tattoos
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