We are just less than 2 months away from 2024 and the graphic design industry has seen some design trends that come and go. Design is subjective and graphic designers always look for ways to bring their client’s vision to life. What might work for the past year may not work next year. But, some styles can continue to dominate the design world for years to come.
From a resurgence of retro to a focus on sustainability and inclusivity, designers have a lot of inspiration to draw from the design trends that we will most likely see in 2024.
Retro / Vintage & Nostalgic Design
Retro art is all about the use of designs that imitate trends and pop culture of the past. Retro and vintage art has been around for a long time and we have seen it emerge again and again as time goes by. But, did retro design ever go away?
Over the years, you will see brands use retro or vintage designs to appeal to their audience. This creates nostalgia and is an effective way to tap into people’s past experiences that had meaning and significance in their lives.
Burger King, Pizza Hut, Pepsi, and Lay’s are some of the big brands that are going back to the past by changing their logos reminiscent of what they used to be. Nostalgia marketing, if used properly, can create an emotional connection with consumers and these brands are re-establishing old connections with their older consumers while reaching out to the newer generations.
Retro and vintage designs are not only for established brands. Smaller businesses can also take advantage of using bold and eye-catching designs to create a feeling of nostalgia with a modern take to appeal to the newer generation.
Sustainability / Eco-friendly Design
More and more brands are now becoming aware of their environmental responsibility and are choosing to become more environmentally conscious when innovating their products and packaging. Aside from choosing eco-friendly packaging, brands are also incorporating nature into design. The use of green and brown tones is often seen and minimal designs are used to show cohesiveness between the packaging and visuals. When it comes to packaging, the use of recyclable materials is a great way to reduce waste and negative impact on the environment.
Inclusive Design
Having diversity in designs sends a message of inclusivity and a deeper connection between the brand and the audience. This also creates a better experience for the users regardless of their gender, abilities, perspectives, background, and other factors.
Instead of designing for a specific group of people, inclusive design brings a sense of belonging to a wider range of audiences. In the coming years, we should expect more diversity in design elements with inclusivity and accessibility in mind.
Motion Graphics
As the digital world continues to evolve, the attention span of people also considerably grows shorter. There are so many distractions on the internet and you only need a few seconds to grab the attention of your audience. Motion graphics are dynamic and visual in nature and when done correctly, it can be a sure way to get your audience’s attention.
A lot of brands have used and will continue to use explainer videos as they are a great way to get their message across. Explainer videos can also be more effective than text as they can be entertaining and educational at the same time. Combining audio and visual elements is also effective in grabbing and retaining the attention of your audience.
Bold Minimalism
We all know the saying “Less is more”. But, can it be true for graphic design? With all the distractions around us, we most likely think of having loud, colorful, and bold design elements to stand out. There are brands that have over-the-top, in-your-face design elements that work, while others prefer to have a clean and easy-to-understand design.
Minimalism does not always have to be just a text and incorporating one color in the design. Imagery and colors are still used but designers play with minimalist design in a way that will still capture the attention of the audience while making it easier for them to consume and understand what the message you are trying to convey. These can be bold colors combined with minimal text and imagery.
One iconic minimalist design that you most likely have seen is Mastercard’s logo. Even if you don’t see the brand’s name, you will instantly recognize its red and orange circles that symbolize connection and unity. Other brands that have widely recognizable minimalistic logos are Apple, Uber, Nike, Mcdonalds, and Netflix.
Minimalist design has been an effective choice for brands all over the world and will continue to dominate the design industry for years to come.
Brutalism
If minimalist design is all about clean lines and simple structure, Brutalism foregoes that aesthetic look to appear more raw and unpolished. Brutalist design is commonly seen on websites and if you look at most modern websites, they are very structured and clean. With Brutalist design, it is one way to grab attention by letting go of the clear-cut web design rules.
Some people dubbed Brutalist design as “ugly” as it can have an unfinished look. Think of websites during the 90s that were mostly done using HTML as there weren’t a lot of CSS options back then. Now, Brutalist design has evolved. While it still has an unfinished and raw look, there are more images and typography involved. Brutalist design also relies more on monochromatic colors with a focus on solid colors but Brutalism typically has more of a raw concrete look.
Brutalist design is not everyone’s cup of tea. If done in the right context, it can really be an attention-grabber!
Graphic Design Trends - In Summary
The graphic design landscape will continue to evolve but there will always be design styles that will continue to be relevant throughout the years. Retro and nostalgic design help us reminisce old memories while sustainable design helps us be rooted in the impact we have in the environment today and the future. Motion graphics will captivate the audience and inclusive design will speak to everyone. Bold minimalism will suit well with brands that have a clean-cut aesthetic while brutalism will continue to redefine visual trends. The graphic design scene will always have a varied style and it is all about using a style that aligns with the brand’s identity and image.
Embracing these trends allows designers to create visually stunning and culturally relevant content. As we celebrate creativity and innovation, let's embrace the challenges and opportunities that 2024 brings to the world of graphic design.
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