Growing Design Trends for 2024
As we head into 2024, the field of design is steadying for a period of exciting innovation and experimentation. A blend of emerging technologies, evolving social shifts, and a yearning for authenticity is shaping the dynamic landscape of visual communication. Here, we explore six of the main design trends that are set to dominate the industry in the coming year.
Eco Design
Brands that focus on environmentally friendly design will gain way more recognition heading into the future and a larger portion of consumers will favour designs that are aligned with these values. Clients will talk more about sustainability as they try and manoeuvre it into their briefs. To incorporate this into your design be aware of eco-friendly materials and printing techniques as well as industry standards for sustainability. Question if your target audience is inclined to saving the planet and sustainability. This also apply to colour choices such as the use of earthy colours. This may even apply to the use of more minimal design that uses less ink when printed such as finer font and more minimalistic design choices.
Maximalism
The minimalist aesthetic of recent years is giving way to a more maximalist approach in 2024. Designs are incorporating a variety of elements, textures, and colours, creating visually rich and attention-grabbing compositions. Designed with a clear concept or theme, maximalism has a direct purpose and is not just chaotic design crammed together. Colour is a very strong point in this trend as it uses bright and bold choices although you should still strive to get some colour harmony in your design. Often in maximalism you will find high quality and detailed images or illustrations that support the theme or messages of the design. This is a highly effective way of grabbing attention but may only appeal to niche audiences who appreciate intricate and detailed design so consider using this style if it aligns with your target audience.
Experimental Typography
Typography is becoming a more expressive and experimental element in design. Designers are playing with unconventional typography styles, distorting fonts, and incorporating handwritten elements to create unique and impactful visual messages. Many designers have become bored with static typography. The world is changing and so is typography. Designers make use of dynamic typography in various real life situations to convey information, invoke emotions and enhance storytelling. Dynamic typography adds movement to text making it more engaging to the audience. If you are working on a website or social media design or just brand materials consider that dynamic topography will actually likely engage your audience a lot more, enhancing memorability. All of this leads back to how motion graphics are becoming more of a requirement in the society and the world of design.
Nostalgia
In 2024 you should anticipate design trends that draw inspiration from the past be it the ’90s, ’80s or even earlier. Nostalgia really strikes a note with people and it makes the design more relatable. In 2024 you are going to see more retro vintage palettes, vintage typography and classic design elements that will invoke a sense of nostalgia while remaining relevant now. You might have noticed recently how a lot of Netflix and other TV series make use of 1980’s or 70’s kind of vibing styles; the lighting, colours, branding and music are all very retro based. The main tip for using nostalgia is to understand the audience. Nostalgia is a very personal experience and so to use it effectively you must understand your target audience and what era or cultural references are most meaningful to them. Research and empathy are keys to utilising nostalgia properly.
AI-Powered Design
Love it or loathe it, artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming the design landscape. In 2023 AI has been empowering designers with tools to automate tasks, generate creative concepts, and personalise designs. In 2024, we can expect to see a growing adoption of AI-powered design tools, allowing designers to focus on the creative aspects of their work while leveraging AI for efficiency and innovation. Many designers are embracing the new technology as a way to enhance output. There has been a lot of talk about if AI will replace designers and writers but it is clear that for now, human designers and writers are still needed.
Hand-Drawn Illustrations
While the last few years have been dominated by digital perfection, there’s a resurgence of appreciation for the warmth and expressiveness of hand-drawn illustrations and doodles. These organic elements are adding a sense of personality and authenticity to designs, making them stand out in the digital domain. This trend reflects a desire to make brands more personal, creating a connection with audiences who crave authenticity. The right imaging and content can demonstrate empathy and understanding for consumers. Hand drawn icons have also been gaining tract in the tech startup sector and this trend will continue to grow in 2024.
There are some trends from 2023 that we will also see continue during 2024 such as 3D surrealism, bold geometric designs, abstract gradients as well as collages and mash ups.
As always, these trends may or may not be applicable to your client briefs but are helpful to take into consideration when thinking about the target audience you are designing for. Unique design work will always stand out and even possibly create new emerging trends.
Oh and before you go, remember to incorporate Pantone’s Peach Fuzz into your designs in 2024.
