Niche memes exploded onto the online scene, particularly on platforms like Instagram, during the spring of my seventh-grade year. These memes diverged from the conventional definition of memes, morphing into collages and mood boards that encapsulated prevalent trends of the time.
This example likely surfaced between 2017 and 2019, showcasing popular elements such as thrifting, checkerboard Vans, Glossier products, and fake plants—all of which captivated not only myself but also countless others.
Being a teenager, I wanted to keep track of what was trendy and popular. I decided to make my own niche meme account. I downloaded a few editing apps on my phone and went to work. I became fixated on perfecting every aspect—fonts, imagery, layout—striving for nothing short of excellence. (Sound familiar, right?)
Why am I talking about niche memes? How is this relevant?
While my current projects may bear little resemblance to those old memes, they share a common underlying objective: catering to a specific audience. Just as I carefully images, fonts, and aesthetics for my niche memes, I work on my current projects with the same level of care and attention. Although my target audience has shifted more into the professional world, I’ll always remember my niche meme era and how creative it made me.