3D is still at the head of design. You’ll notice it even in the most unpredictable places or where you wouldn’t normally pay attention. In icons, for example. The world is moving away from the usual minimalism and back to realism. After all, fashion is cyclical!
Trends in graphic design
Combining 3D and 2D is also gaining momentum from 2022. Three-dimensional hyper-realism in graphic design is neatly blended with two-dimensional style.
- Minimalism is still in.
Simplicity attracts the eye, because the ability to convey meanings without colorful and bright elements confirms the professionalism and taste of the designer. Catchy packaging is not always a guarantee of success.
- Glass and crystal elements
There is an emerging trend to introduce 3D glass, crystals and crystal instead of the same gold. This includes glassmorphism – the desire for transparent and blurred backgrounds with a glass effect.
- Holographic design
Gradually, holographic design is moving from the diverse and popular elements of clothing and accessories to the animations and logos of today.
It is one of the most unique styles, which stands out for its original shimmers, highlights and colors. It is capable of transforming even a static image.
- Design in the style of the 90’s.
Many fondly remember the end of the 20th century, all its attributes and soulful atmosphere. This style refers to early versions of Windows, with its sharp contours of windows and flat geometric shapes. It is reflected in the present with pixels, bright colors, unusual gradients and tones, and the pattern of tape cassettes and iconic chewing gum.
- Retro 70’s
Society’s love of different historical periods is more and more evident in the modern world. Thus, the 70s are associated with freedom, love of nature, fun and hippies. Characteristic features of this style are bright colors, soft lines and contours, expressive handwritten fonts.
- Abstraction
One of those eternally relevant trends that appeared in the 60’s. Acidic color palette, incredible references to other worlds, carelessness and creative disorder characterize it and steadily attract designers.
- Experiments in typography
It would seem that the technique is not the newest, as evidenced by the example of unique posters by David Carson. However, it is always able to diversify any design if used correctly: the spectacular font, compression and variation of the location and size of letters, replacement of letters with symbols. This trend is characterized by constant changes and innovations in graphic design.
- Variety in collage and texture
Everything new is well forgotten old, as in this case. This element has become more modern and original. Its simplicity and effectiveness allows it to remain on the wave of popularity. Some designers add intricate combinations of elements, interesting textures, small details and expressive fine lines to it. Of course, hand-drawn graphics are being added to digital graphics as well.
- Calm color palette
The graphic and web design trends of 2022 and 2023 continue to stick with nude and natural hues, as the trend is increasingly toward calm and natural tranquility. In addition, they are better than bright shades able to blend in and still remain pleasing to the eye. Muted colors as a background more favorably emphasize both dark and light texts.
As for specific shades in 2022, earthy colors prevailed this year. In 2023, the green palette of shades and the eco-trend are expected to gain popularity.
- B/W and monochrome.
On top of that, in 2022 several big brands at once: Volvo, Pringles and Cadillac made their logos flat and simple. These monochrome styles have two advantages: black and white and monochrome coloring allows the object to be elegant, calm and pleasing to the eye, and it also saves paint significantly. It promotes the use of recycled materials and supports the quality of eco-friendliness.
- Parametric patterns.
This is a very distinctive style based on graphs of mathematical equations, combinations of their lines and shapes, complex geometric shapes that overlap each other. Smooth three-dimensional patterns evoke not only a sense of novelty and progress, but also the airiness of the image.
- Psychedelic
This was an offshoot of the ’60s style because psychedelic design emerged during those same hippie years. It was an offshoot of the po-art style: optical illusions, bright and varied colored patterns. In addition, some details were taken from comic books. Next year, psychedelic will be characterized by complex abstract elements and a rich, bright color palette, but sticking to symmetry will keep order throughout the picture.
- Risography
Rhizography is a screen printing method characterized by high grain, low gradient and rough texture in the style of old advertisement posters and newspapers. And now it has gained popularity in digital graphics as a new and distinctive style as well. The term came from the name of the company Riso, which made devices for this type of printing.
- Flat ukiyo-e design
Ukiyo-e is a trend in Japanese fine art. It stands out for its clear contours, flat colors and peculiar style of perspective. As for the depiction of a person, it is characterized by hyperbolization of facial features and emotions, as well as poses and body movements.
- Anti-design
This style manifests itself in chaos, asymmetry, a lot of unnecessary details, mismatched colors and pronounced typography. Its lovers appreciate the freedom of self-expression, the absence of any boundaries and rules. In this case, the concept of aesthetics and functionality of design can be omitted.
- Inclusive visual
Regardless of the project, which should be designed: a website, printed materials, signs, posters, posters, etc., the result in the form of a visual should be inclusive.
By visual we mean all kinds of images and illustrations, videos, icons, and more. Also of particular importance are various kinds of sounds, voices and music. Nowadays, people are becoming more and more tolerant, which shows up in all sorts of introductions of not only white male people, as before, but also other races, genders, sexes, sizes. People with disabilities are also increasingly portrayed and mentioned.
The trend toward inclusion is evident in many areas of society, including graphic design. This is useful both for the inclusion of more different people and for designers in their creative process and creativity.
All of this allows the purpose and fullness of the visual to be outlined in order to understand the audience for which a particular design is intended
- Images without faces
Designers are challenged by the need to display faces in all human images. Today’s brands are increasingly favoring “faceless” illustrations.
They mean images of people from the back, so the viewer doesn’t see a specific person. This has two advantages: you don’t have to take a picture every time.
10 Web design trends for 2023
- Dark Theme.
Many people have long loved the dark themes implemented on electronic devices, apps, messengers, social networks and other sites. The creators of all these resources have realized the popularity of this trend and thus stood out among the competition. Dark shades: gray, brown, blue, brown can be presented as the main color palette.
But it is worth bearing in mind the appropriateness of this style: a children’s toy or clothing store, birthday cakes and the like should not be decorated in such a design. But in most other cases it will look very effective.
- Storytelling
The method of storytelling is known to many, but not everyone knows that it is also implemented in the design. So, it is actively used by Apple: interface elements are not located within a block, and smoothly combined with each other. All of this is functional and usable in both the mobile version and the computer version.
- Using “flattened” letters
In the trends of graphic design are gaining popularity for names and titles, which are made with the use of wide and stretched aside letters. Refined and modern sans serif fonts with bold capital letters take precedence. It is better to use this in short phrases or words, for example in fonts such as: Neutro and Vlaenella Bold.
- An image on top of the words
This is a very popular design trick for magazine covers when a celebrity picture is superimposed over the letters of the title. This trend is now gaining momentum in web design 2022-2023 as well. This is a kind of visual device that shows the viewer that the brand is recognizable and known even in one font without having to see the entire name.
- Unfilled letters with a stroke.
This is a very simple, yet stylish and interesting trend. This type of non-fill letter typography is often used in advertisements, websites and magazines. It is characterized by bold capital letters in a sans serif font. Sometimes professionals can create designs using contrast and hierarchy by placing words in the same typeface with and without fill next to each other.
- Simplifying logos
More and more companies are transforming their look and feel in order not to lose new audiences and old ones. This means that companies get rid of unnecessary details in the logo and move away from the old trend for detail. Simply put, designing a “lightweight” logo is a way to breathe new life into an existing brand.
- Minimalist retro
Minimalist retro style is characterized by an organic and soft color scheme, old-school fonts, soft shadows, natural textures and tones. This trend pays homage to vintage 70s magazine layouts and record covers. It is very versatile, but especially suitable for packaging, business logos and editorial materials.
- Asian visual direction.
In the design trends of 2023 you will also find the consequences of interaction with the popular Asian market, which is also very remarkable for Russia. Globalization will lead to the introduction of Asian notes in the stylistics of the visual. It stands out for its flexible boundaries: it can be restrained with minimalistic elements, or it can be diverse, bright and chaotic. But, nevertheless, it is always full of harmony.
- Gold
Gold in design will be one of the most popular trends next year. With the right and concise use of this color in different forms and textures: shiny, silky, metallic, rough, etc. will get a great result. Compliance with all the rules of harmonious visuals can give any design object both graceful and rich appearance, as well as moderation and modesty.
- Drawings in branding
This trend is back in 2022 and will be used in graphic and web design in 2023. Branding – schematic sketches, drawings and abstracts increasingly connect consumers and product (company) creators. It is the original brand that creates a clear idea of a particular product and professionalism. This is the main task of the designer.
Branding can be expressed in all kinds of ways and forms: people, faces, abstractions, geometry, lines, contrasts, etc. It all depends on the concept and creativity of the company, the project and the field of activity.
The younger generation appreciates this trend the most at the moment. Although it used to be known, not many people know it and therefore consider it a breath of fresh air.