As we’re entering a new year in graphic design we wanted to point out some of the biggest trends that we saw rise up in the course of last year and will probably become even bigger in 2022. While modern and futuristic visuals such as 3D design got more and more popular over the years, we also saw a nostalgic response to all those pixels and renders as Retro inspired trends became widely used again. So let’s dive in and see how 2022 will look like, if you’d ask us.
Since software development to create 3D artwork has not stood still, it’s much easier to get your hands on it was a few years ago and this certainly shows the released work since then. Tools like Cinema 4D and even the latest updates from Adobe are making it possible to dip your toes into the 3D world and start making your own three-dimensional artwork. And while it was all about realistic proportions a while ago, artists are now exploring new styles and are moving boundaries which results in many refreshing visuals.

It’s not solely about full size visuals but about creating branding elements as well. This way isolated 3D visuals can be a part of the identity and live throughout the brand. Using a 3D character for your team instead of the standard snapped portraits? Why not. Turn a specific phrase into 3D instead of typing it in Arial, absolutely!
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In the last months of 2021 the world of NFTs completely blew up and this will undoubtedly result in a wider audience looking to become more skilled in this area.
We’re quite nostalgic ourselves as well and the era of bold visuals keeps on being a trend, just as it should be. It brings you back to ‘better’ times where everything was just, simpler. This visual style contains so many characteristics that turned out to be quite timeless and looking at released work from last year, we’ll surely keep on seeing a lot of this style in this year as well.
Grainy 3D visuals, bold colors, simplified shapes, patterns, bubbly typography, thick outlines and everything in between. And because this style has so many different aspects to it, the possibilities are endless and creatives keep on playing with them too bring back the joy of that time of day.
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The primary function of typography is to be legible, functional and should bring over the message, whatever that may be. We would agree on that but in a time when we all come across so many messages on a daily basis, we need something to stand out, grab someone’s attention and then convey the story you want to tell. Typography is an art form on its own and can be used like that. Why not give those letters full attention instead of being secondary to photography or illustration? Print campaigns such as postcards will be popular then ever with this artistic approach.
Because whether it’s custom lettering or a real nice typeface, letters are art and can definitely be used like it. One of the best examples of this was this year’s Spotify’s Wrapped. People kept talking about the condensed typography and why that was a bad, or a good thing. Spotify’s creative team gave the leading role to the typography and I can only applaud them for doing that. Hopefully we’ll see more of these big brands make this kind of leap.
After many years of clean vector visuals, brands tend to bring back more character and some human feel to their brand. Visuals don’t have to be pixel perfect anymore as businesses want to get closer again to their customers and be more approachable now they feel they became another brick in the wall.
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Whether it becomes the main illustration style for the brand, use it as smaller elements throughout the brand, creating scribbled typography or whatever in between, using doodles for your brand can turn the identity around and lets you come across as playful and fun.
Y2K, also known as Kaybug, is a bright and playful aesthetic that still has some characteristics from the 90s era but with the use of more complex materials and focused towards technology. Named after the Y2K Bug, which refers to the potential computer errors that could happen on January 1, 2000. Many programs represented four-digit years with only the final two digits, making the year 2000 indistinguishable from 1900. When this didn’t happen, this led to an intense optimism about technology and it got completely embraced by the masses.
Most Y2K aesthetics rely on the use of technology and an overall futuristic look using complex, iridescent gradients and low poly CGI. Some elements of Y2K could also be recognized as Vaporwave since it shares the same retro futuristic vibe.

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After the static imagery was the logical way to advertise outdoors for many years, the moment it could ‘move’ was considered something magical. We’re so used to static images nowadays that it’s hard to get our attention, which could be considered a good thing for the receiver of course. But for the brand that wants to send out their message this couldn’t be more different.
The evolution of technology over the years made it possible to advertise with motion in much more ways than before. Now you can see small billboards at bus stops, outside a mall or randomly placed in a city square. Brands don’t need a million dollar budget anymore to show their brand in motion and doing this creates another layer of depth in the brand.
When Mitch Paone, partner and creative director at DIA Studio got the question: ‘But why is motion so important anyway?’, he explains. “On a superficial level, a static image can't compete with a looping gif. On a deeper level, movement creates identity, just like how we can identify a salsa dancer versus a hip-hop dancer. The dancer could be the same, but their motion tells the story.”
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When done right, the reach that the brand gets will be sky-high when looking at some popular examples from last year. The Fortnite X Balenciaga billboard at Times Square for example is one you’ve probably spotted on social media. It surely was an expensive ad to create and displaying it one Times Square isn’t cheap as well, but the amount of total views it got on social media made that price more than worth it in terms of brand exposure.
For many years designers have learnt to play by the rules and keep whatever you want to communicate very clear and easy to understand. You can be creative, but stay inside the box when it comes to functionality and clarity.

It was just a matter of time designers would start to push back and this aesthetic, which almost feels like a movement, is called ‘Anti-Design’. Often called ‘Brutalism’ as well (which is a bit different but let’s put that topic aside), this style is all about pushing boundaries. Graphic design is an art form as well and can be defined by exploration and experimentation.
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While it could come across as ‘sloppy’ and ‘ugly’, it definitely takes a fair amount of skill to create a well-balanced composition and because it’s about expression doesn’t mean it should all be considered ‘good work’. ‘Breaking the rules’ is perhaps not the right word to describe it because you still need to adapt the basic rules of graphic design to create something ‘good’. Maybe ‘Bending’ or ‘Flexing’ the rules would be a better way to describe it.
This aesthetic style has proven over the years to be a real keeper. The style evolves a lot but it’s mostly kept within this same term. Flat design is all about leaving things out and keeping it simple or as they say, flat. It’s not solely about keeping it as simple as possible anymore as flat illustrations nowadays contain a bit more detail than they used to.
When we’re talking about illustrations or character design, using flat design will give the freedom to break the rules on anatomy and ‘how things should look like’ while leaving out tons of shadows, small details and any additional effect that gives it more dimension. Like the name itself, keep it flat. Keep it simple.
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This will also be a great benefit when you need to print it. Sure, we can print even the most complex designs nowadays but it gives you so many possibilities when your visual is more simplified.

Modern Retro was definitely one of the biggest styles from 2021 and will probably only grow this year. Using the retro aesthetics from the 1970s together with modern layouts turned out to be one of the most loved styles out there. It’s so versatile that it could be applied in many ways and when done correctly, it really stands out from the ‘modern’ designs as it brings so much character to the table.
Retro typography, natural color palettes, small manual inspired elements and nostalgic illustrations are often used to set the right tone. As shown it could be used widely and let the brands stand out when doing it correctly.
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