Timeless vs. Trendy

Levi Jones
Aug 23, 2017 · 2 min read

About three years ago, I designed a pretty legit logo for a company in Portland, Oregon. I created it to follow the hipster design trends. At the time, I was a new designer, and I saw this design style was all over the place. What I didn’t realize is that the trend would be short-lived and replaced by the vintage look which is all over the place now. The companies logo is now insignificant and a bit out of date. So when should I design for what?

What’s The Point?

Whenever you’re deciding whether it is going to be timeless or trendy always ask, “What’s the point?” If the design needs to last longer than the trend, make it timeless. Trends typically last for 3–7 years so always keep in mind the use of the design. Typically, people change their logos every 10–20 years so it’s best to design a brand to be timeless, but let’s say your designing an advertisement. Ads sometimes change every couple weeks! If you want to design based on trends, that would be the perfect opportunity.

Designed To Be Timeless

I wish I designed the current Nike logo. It is amazing, and it hasn’t changed in over twenty years! Honestly, I’m not expecting it to change any time soon either. Wouldn’t it be great to have a logo as beautifully designed as Nike’s on your portfolio for 20+ years? When the “Swoosh” was created skeuomorphic design was popular. Just for a second, imagine what the “Swoosh” logo would look like if Nike ditched the “Swoosh” and leaped into skeuomorphism. Yikes! If you want it to be in your portfolio longer than a trend, make it timeless.

Designed To Be Trendy and Timeless

Two years ago, I created a trend based brand design when handwritten brush typography was just getting popular. I designed it for M5, a camp for teen guys that a friend of mine runs every summer in Big Bear, CA. This design should last though. It gets the point that you’re going to a rugged camp in the mountains. the weight shows strength; the brush stroke shows ruggedness; the underline provides emphasis on the “M” showing it’s significance; and the mountain gives a location. Every element of the design was added with a purpose. If you want your trendy design to be timeless, then make sure that every element of that design supports your design.

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Levi Jones

Written by

I am an eighteen-year-old brand and UI designer in Pasadena, CA. My “office” is also Starbucks.

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