So do you guys follow design trends when using Illustrator?

Within the past year gradients and flat design have become prevalent. I know that I have tended to skew towards that and often ends up poorly. What do you guys tend to do to not fall into fad traps in design?

Basically what I am asking is what you guys do to make a memorable lasting logo every time?

Just a gradient or flat color can not make a design necessarily memorable. Design trend is secondary, I think. And what is primary in a design is the concept, aestheticism and very often demand of the customer.
Trends change because one style looks or works better than other, so keep changing, experimenting and all the same keeping up with trends.

To make a memorable and lasting logo would say it depends on ones level of creativity and how well one call play with the design tools... One must also design based on clients brief and always view your design from an objective angle rather than a subjective angle....
So its not fully about how your utilise the gradient tool but a good start...

It really depends on the clients requests, I think. I have had to talk a few people out of doing logos that were too trendy for fear that they'll want to perpetually change their brand and waste money.

I do like flat design and gradients but I use them where they fit. If you really go out of your way to make a logo specific to a company's profile and feel, I think that's as much as you can do because it's rare that any two businesses are run the same by the same kind of people.

I love minimalism, never gets old XD

Creative and simple logo design looks very great but it all depends on client requirement. Every client wants to have creativity in their logo design. Some wants to have new look for their logo. Simplicity and creativity win always.

Design trends are frequently driven by technical capabilities. If it easy to do and creates a striking effect, a "new" design trend becomes popular. This is the case with gradients, drop shadows and color palettes. The requirement for flat colors design on some popular smart phones, means that designers will have to comply with that technology and still produce attractive pleasing designs. The requirement for flat color is not new, it is as old and printing (and silkscreening) itself. Many stylistic eras have wonderful examples of what can be achieved.

Another question my be "What is the average lifespan of a logo?" Small companies come and go all the time. New industries expand grow and are succeeded by newer technology and fashions. Some giant corporations change logos with every new corporate president and spend millions doing so. Some tiny businesses never change their logo from day one. Take a look at the type of businesses that hold contests for logos at this site. How many will be in business in five years? If so, they can always just get another new logo.

The winning logos are all contemporary design fashions. That is what the contest holders are coming to crowd source design sites for.