Product Talk | From Clicks to Specs: What Product Engagement Data Tells Us About 2026

Lauren Brant explores the significance of engagement data in understanding what designers focus on, providing a glimpse into the future of commercial design and how data-driven insights can guide decision-making.
By Lauren Brant
Jan. 28, 2026

Discussion Points

  • As part of her editorial beat, Lauren inspects real engagement data to identify which product categories hold designers’ attention the longest.
  • She then connects evolving priorities in commercial design with user interaction patterns.
  • Finally, Lauren shows how data-driven insights can influence product selection and design strategies.
Yakim19 ID 140817941 © Yakim19 | Dreamstime.com
Geometric figures of acoustic panels of different shapes and colors. Acoustic panels on a gray spotted background.

In the second episode of Product Talk—a special feature for the I Hear Design podcast—host Lauren Brant explores what product engagement data reveals about the way designers are thinking, clicking, and ultimately specifying for the year ahead. Drawing on real behavior from the interiors+sources audience, the conversation uncovers the categories and qualities that held attention longest—and what those patterns suggest about evolving priorities in commercial design. It’s an insightful look at how analytics can translate into smarter, more purposeful design decisions for 2026.

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About the Author

Lauren Brant
Email

Lauren Brant

Staff Writer, interiors+sources and BUILDINGS

Lauren Brant is Staff Writer for both interiors+sources and BUILDINGS. She is an award-winning editor and reporter whose work has appeared in daily and weekly newspapers. In 2020, the weekly newspaper won the Rhoades Family Weekly Print Sweepstakes—the division winner across the state's weekly newspapers. Lauren was also awarded the top feature photo across Class A papers. She holds a B.A. in journalism and media communications from Colorado State University-Fort Collins and a M.S. in organizational management from Chadron State College.

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