Almost ten years ago these were the designs associated with the tattoo industry. Tattoos were a symbol of hate and rebellion against society. Miami Ink hit the scene and changed everything. The show let ordinary people learn that it wasn't just those who were racist or on the fringes of society who were getting tattoos, but ordinary people who had meaning behind the pieces they got. The tattoo industry owes much of it's success to the programs that document the lifestyle such as Miami Ink. Without the programs tattooing would still be a back room business. Today Tattooing is a 2.5 Billion dollar industry, Tattoo shops are popping up on every corner. It is a place no longer cursed by parents, as a matter of fact Aberration Pro Custom Tattoo sees parents bringing in children where years ago it was taboo to see kids in a shop.
I believe also that the big change in the industry as come from the changing of the guard. Depending on the generation is how tattoos are looked at. People who grew up in the 60's tend more to look on tattoos as a symbol of expression just like the decade they were raised in. Someone growing up in the 40's would look at tattoos as a taboo because back then life was more strict and artistic expression was limited. Now children born to those in the 60's have exploded onto the scene. When Illinois law went to 18 for the age limit individuals were coming out of the wood works.
I believe tattooing and all the industries associated with it will do nothing but grow. It's an industry that has been around thousands of years now. At the same time it has now began to grow finally into a beast that will keep on growing. I consider the last ten years it's childhood. With all the new techniques and public acceptance I think it will continue to grow into a huge force in the business world. Just like acceptance is becoming more and more in the workplace, the individuals who have grown up knowing tattooing as just another daily event-they will pass that onto their kids and tattooing will have another generation to look forward too.
With this new found growth comes responsibility on behalf of the industry. Artist and owners of shops must support laws regulating the industry so it doesn't slide back to where it was and continues to grow. Schools like the one at Aberration needs to be started all over the country to train the next generation of artist in how to properly take responsibility in representing the industry. Just because we are popular now doesn't mean the good times will last if we do not take the steps to sustain the growth and popularity.