Imagine yourself coming across a “something”. “Something” that makes you linger on it for a little while; for a little while longer than usual. You can not define it with a name or a term since you have not seen it before. At the same time, paradoxically, you know it’s been there a while and your eyes can tell it. What is it then? Simply a new graphic design tendency being born. It intrigues your vision by its newness masterfully combined with an excellent prior experience.
1. Design trends explained
First of all, a trend is something that can be defined as a massive tendency that is used to communicate a big message full of explicit and implicit meanings. Erroneously to assume that trend is derived from all things new. However, designs that were majoring in different historical periods and were predetermined by social and economic factors are being reintroduced now and have been granted new life to live.
The moment you notice something that catches your eye and makes you pause and think about what you have just witnessed, you have probably spotted something that will start a “new” trend in design. Its appearance on the stage is closely aligned with the current situation in the world. Every social experience tends to be repeated one way or another therefore design movements come and go. Then it surprisingly tends to come back, occupying noticeable spots and possessing a significant value to the designers and brands themselves.
As a result, an eclectic approach to the use of those old designs has given birth to so many fresh ideas, easily transmitting it to a new quality level. Things we are seeing now and going to see in 2020 simply mesmerize us with its uniqueness and authenticity. Even though caring its traces from something that has been on top some time ago
2. Top five design trends
Smart and enticing graphic design trend picked will have your work recognized. No limits to perfection. Therefore, as a designer, you have got to be in the know of what is going on and probably be going on in the nearest future. That is why you ought to be able to add some novelty strokes to your design. There are quite an impressive amount of all the things that can help promote your design to a distinctively new level, quality-wise. Here you find a concentration of 5 top trends that are believed to be promising for a visual boost of your work.
2.1 Collages
Simply marvellous to observe how far has progressed the art which name has been invented by Picasso and Braque – the art of collage. Well, it is impossible to state that collages are new trends in graphic design, since they have been known and largely used for centuries. However, every time they get to acquire new and quite unthinkable manifestations of combinations and fusions with drawings, photos, doodle illustrations. The feeling of informality, atmosphere of spontaneity, and unconventional world perception represented by collage illustrations help the audience to warm up to the content faster whether it is some ad, invitation, or the whole brand campaign.
Eventually, when created with a sophisticated approach and implemented smartly, following all the trends set, with certain uniqueness though, it enables designers to compete with themselves in comparison with what they were doing a year ago. And a pleasant bonus with collages is that they do not require a lot of tools to get things done. Yes, it is possible to stretch the imagination and make it super technical, however, it is not a huge must. Recently the world of design is provided with such a great variety of instruments to create collages for different tastes. Various apps, like online collage maker, are all there to prove that no matter how “experienced” this trend is, it is still highly appreciated and implemented with grace.
2.2 Colour alterations
Colour patterns are proven to be by far essential in the ability to transmit the message that the brand is meant to communicate. Of course, there is no use to say that there is no totalitarian view on what colour palette is to be chosen for representing certain ideas. Every colour there to be has a right to serve in creating a visually vocal image.
2.2.1 Earth tone colours
However, the idea of shunning bold toxic colours in favour of praising warm, with the vintage hint has started and potentially to be continued. So, apparently, this sounds like a plan for some colour choice refreshments. Mild, soothing, nostalgic 80s will provoke the same feelings from the people who among all the similar offers will prefer the ones that stand out not with a loud scream but honestly quite muted and yet full of information to tell. Play with them, create fusions not “compatible”, combine with a neutral palette; black and white were not cancelled as well. It doesn’t mean you have to stay limited to just these patterns. However, the emphasis on them is quite a trend this year.
2.2.2 Gradients
Web designs, logos, print media, apps, etc. – all of them want to employ gradients as the means of adding depth to the existing flat designs. Smooth and flowing transitions of colours create a captivating effect for the eye of the beholder. This trend is not new. It was on the stage, then it was given minor parts. Next, you know gradients stormed back in and promised to stay, since they are truly capable of grabbing one’s attention with its eye-catching colour fusions, contrasting textures and background as well as with some nostalgic mood.
2.2.3 Go mono
Duotones from 2017 were already claiming minimalism in colour choices. They were respected and implemented a lot. Now they are making even more radical moves and suggest designers go monochrome. This is exactly the moment when the concept of “boredom” is completely erased from the definition of the word. It looks stylish, elegantly appealing.
2.2.4 Vibrant colours
Of course, there is a lot of attention devoted to calm soothing simplistic choice of colours while creating the design for users to appreciate and get hooked on it. Simplicity and minimalism are definitely trendy movements and the design ideas have to align which DesignCap makes easier for everyone. Still, some bold, bright, somewhere even return to toxic colours are traced in the campaign of huge brands. They love minimalism, but they also love to be spotted. Moreover, Adding shiny metallic patterns to your design lays up a claim on affluence, sophistication, taste acknowledgement. It is classy and will not go without attention.
2.3 3D & motion graphics
Something that was unbelievable and yet so striking like, for example, uncomplicated motion on the flat picture. However, those days are long gone. People are no longer impressed with that “simplicity” and lack of “hype”. 3D is a legal successor of a flat graphic. It did not get that complex but gained new levels of depth and extravaganza.
Nowadays, graphic design will definitely benefit from implementing 3D compositions (3D typography, abstract 3D shapes, 3D moving designs, 3D isometric design) since they are capable of putting more perspective on the subject under consideration. In comparison with isometric design flat graphics look a bit messy and still do not provide enough details to grasp the gist of the product offered. And, honestly, it is way more eye-catching and enticing to deal with something that is seemingly about to pop or already moving.
2.3.1 3D motion
When the 3D picture comes to life and starts moving the only thing that is left for a person just to see the whole cycle and then to rewatch it again. I mean it’s captivating, trendy, and makes people freeze in “awe”. I still do.
2.3.2 3D typography
Designers bring up new sounds to the typography as we know it. Letters get to become alive and ready to jump off the surface we see them on. Being dimensional let the letters and words be noticeable more. Different colour patterns and fonts modification get this trend to stand out, or better say, pop out.
2.3.3 Abstract 3D shapes
No rules, no limitations… your imagination flows and obtains a vividly contrasting manifestation of the message you send out to the world. Bold, creative, and yet so comprehensive for the audience that is meant to receive it.
2.3.4 3D isometric design
No matter how exciting it is to watch flat icons evolve and become the ones with the added depth of the 3D outline. Designers must be careful of not overusing it, or using it irrelevantly. Even being trendy they may not fit every project. If there is, for example, a certain location needed to be shown and explained how it works this design will serve this purpose well.
2.4 Patterns and textures
Here is where you get to play a lot with mixing various patterns and textures into one design with the outcome which is simply marvellous to look at and the image gets to stick, like it or not. Usually, you are required to add up realism to your 3D graphics by combining contrasting items, shapes, limitless asymmetry and involving realistic textures. Here some types you might want to consider implementing in your design
- Seamless patterns (flowing and soothing effect, with the hint of intrigue added)
- Repeated patterns (style and moderation)
- Geometric shapes patterns (just breathtaking when trying to trace the whole picture out of those shapes)
- Natural textures (gentle and dreamy)
- Paper and photography textures (the vintage atmosphere is guaranteed)
- Vector patterns (the discipline that makes a statement)
- “Impossible” textures (think gold pouring down from the water bottle)
This trend should occupy an honoured place on the ladder for graphic design evolving. The thing is it does not just call for aesthetic appreciation from the audience, but also tends to evoke feelings of “reality” right in front of their eyes. Visually promised connection with the reality promised by this technique creates a vision of product authenticity and converts the audience into potential participants in the future destiny of this same product.
If you want creativity and done-for-you services, don’t forget to check Red Kite Design and make it simpler for your company/brand.
2.5 Virtual and Augmented Reality
VR and AR are becoming a significant part of the present-day technology world. Graphic design does not see any obstacles in trying to adopt this and portray it on its projects. Sci-fi and futuristic visual designs are proof that this tendency is clearing the path for moving forward in the design area. It is new and still under much discovery. People keep on learning about it, exploring its collaboration with 3D options it does possess the potential to be on top of the visual techniques. The real hook here is that it gives a brilliant opportunity to combine real with virtual dimensions, owning an option to provide users with significantly new experiences of interacting with products virtually via digital content and 3D holographic techniques.
VR and AR dimensions threat, in the most positive meaning of this word possible, to reconceptualize different trends in graphic design we have now and it will definitely be able to put a new perspective on the way we communicate messages visually. In comparison with collage making, this design novelty requires the designer to be quite aware of certain programming languages, since VR apps are powered by a special gaming engine. However, given that it is our reality already, more specialists willing to implement these options in life will find a way of how to operate it and adjust their knowledge to it. Combined realities can prove that the physics we were learning at school and it’s never questionable laws might be given some new twists, enabling us limitlessly explore the world, comfortably seated in the warm office atmosphere.
3. Things to keep in designer’s mind
To know the latest tendencies is big-time crucial for your design career. No doubts about that. However, sometimes it is very easy to get carried away with all these novelties and start rebranding your style utterly. I mean, you have to be open to the current streams and be ready to adopt them in your art. Be bold and fearless in experimenting with graphic tricks. Nonetheless, be mindful about implementing gradual changes, probing whether this or that aligns with your projects. Make your portfolio diverse in a smart way. With all the ideas available always bear some crucial principles in mind.
Be authentic: All the different trends you implement will still have to carry a message that you have announced at the beginning. Colours, fonts, sizing etc. communicate your style. Be sure to save it. Try to manage to have consistency in whatever novelty you are prone to implement.
Your audience is crucial: Whatever trend in design has started speaking to you and getting an honoured spot in your graphic decisions, remember who is this being created for. It requires certain adjustments in your routine. Though, when done smart and with usual consistency you will feel no discomfort. Leaving the graphic design comfort zone is more about promoting growth, rather than adding up to stress.
More is less: Keep it simple. Lately, with all the minimalism getting trendy, you have no other choice as to surrender in design as well. Get involved with new tendencies, respect them, use them, but stay true to yourself and avoid getting “too messy” with things you create.
Bold different: Shun the fear of bold experiments. Who knows, maybe that impossible twist you added will be the new trend that people will pick over.
4. Always on the watch
Graphic design trends are never still. They might repeat themselves by their names. However, never they are the same by how they look or by functions they have been granted to perform. It perfectly combines with the craftsmanship of the graphic designers, who are always on the watch for new tendencies and new things to add to what has been before defined as a masterpiece. This definitely proves that not being afraid of experimenting and putting things together which normally would have oxymoronic meaning is the key to creating designs that will eventually earn the title of being a trend, upgrading your design to a quite impressive level.
Feeling bold in your choices of how to combine things and having a clear idea of what emotions it should arise will let you flow seamlessly and reach the top or even higher. However. there is never “the top” – the moment you reach it there is a room for growing and collecting more knowledge of how the visual world can go even further in its abilities to impress and slightly wipe the line between what is real and what is intricately made up.
