Aware of hidden agendas, people no longer believe in the possibility of absolute truth or complete transparency from institutions, public figures, and individuals. Yet they are still drawn to honesty, integrity, and – at times – even vulnerability, which they expect from peers and brands alike.

The concept of Afro-futurism is hardly new, but it’s emerged into pop culture in a big way since the mid-2010s, envisioning a hopeful future for a tech-savvy African diaspora. How are online communities and younger generations of Americans helping to usher in this new age of Afro-visualism?

With Black designers often working behind the scenes, their efforts tend to go unnoticed in the Whitewashed world of luxury. Whilst racial barriers prevent Black designers from reaching the top of the luxury ladder, Maison Black gives them a platform to accelerate the recognition they deserve.

Galvanised by a vision to empower music and club cultures independent from state constraints, the Chinese underground is inventing new languages in sound and visual arts against a backdrop of rapid tech advancement. How are young people building ecosystems that can nourish communities?

From sci-fi-inspired touch screens to the rise of algorithmic art, artistic thought plays a greater role in creating the future than might first be apparent. Canvas8 spoke to cultural researcher and author Alex Quicho about the role creative discipline plays within pop culture and innovation.