Artificial Culture: Brat Summer

MDSA’s new series – Artificial Culture!! This is a series that looks at #WhatsTrending in pop culture and shows how data science plays a part in it. Whether it’s the latest social media trend or a new movie/show, this series explains how numbers and technology are shaping the things we love and follow every day. Ready to see how data drives the culture? Let’s start off with the hottest trend of this summer, brat summer 💚

​​The “brat summer” trend has been taking over, thanks to Charli XCX’s hit album “brat,” which dropped on June 7 and shot up to #3 on the Billboard charts. The albums simple, written in low-res font but striking lime green cover has inspired a whole vibe – think party energy, cool girl fashion, and neon green everywhere. Everyone has quickly embraced this aesthetic, and now it’s all over social media. The trend quickly took over TikTok, with 41.2K posts under the hashtag #bratsummer.

In the world of data, these bold colors and playful fonts are more than just a trend — they’re tools. Companies are using them to create eye catching visuals and cohesive branding that connect with younger audiences. With color psychology and font choices in play, this trend is influencing marketing strategies, helping brands stand out and engage on a whole new level.