Design Trends (2022): The journey between the past and the future.
We are heading towards 2023, and this might be a good time to summarize the 2022 digital trends.
From Adobe acquiring Figma to AI-generated paintings, we are moving ahead as fast as ever. And I know you guys feel the same! So before we continue let's see what creative pragmatism is about.
Creative pragmatism is about evolving your creative spirit to a creative innovator’s spirit, This is about having a good clean highly fashionable taste with a clear & logical approach towards your goal. Being creative and pragmatic is the only way forward to being the best in class.
What are the newest trends in the market?
For an IT industry based on HCI(Human-computer interaction), to overcome the adversity that this industry offers one needs to be agile. And understanding the newest trends is like going through the catalog of designs that are doing well based on past experiences.
But it doesn’t mean blindly following the trend because it is boring, but following it wisely does not mean following everyone! Instead, we need to appreciate trends that fit properly with the functionality of your project and use innovative tricks to stay on top of the line and meet the requirements & needs of a modern user. Users can create a visual impression of your app in mere seconds, so never forget that design is the key to the user’s heart.
Our customers often ask us to make something stylish. They want something that is already in current design trends. They want to look reliable and friendly. They don’t want to annoy or miss future users with outdated or nerdy designs.
Going beyond current trends is a very risky game. The human eye quickly gets used to a particular visual solution and runs the risk of losing some users who see outdated designs as indicators of functionality. No matter what anyone says, deciding whether or not to use an app in the first place is more about design. So, no matter how functional your application may be, it may not be attractive for the human eye to scan the application and not see a modern, trendy design.
Here are some design trends that will continue to be popular or new to the list in 2022:
1. 3D Characters
Virtual reality will soon replace our everyday reality. No, I’m not a conspiracy theorist, but it seems more likely.
After that, we got used to seeing 3D images on the screen. We feel they are more realistic and closer to us. This is why 3D design has become so popular, especially when creating characters. You can have these little 3D dudes join you anywhere, be it on a tech company website or app.
Animations have been a nuisance for many designers and developers because they can slow down the loading of websites or apps and consume data. However, the advent of 5G & WIFI 6E technology provides tremendous data transfer speeds and allows users to access files, documents, and applications, including 3D animations, at higher speeds without much delay or latency.
2. Candy Colors
Don’t decorate, make room for sweet colors in your color palette. It’s like going on a trip to a magical land far from the unbearable suffering of beings, right? laugh out loud.
You might consider following these graphic design trends and using a similar color scheme to create a more positive mood and appeal to the younger version of the users.
3. Inclusive Visuals
We will become increasingly sensitive to inclusion and diversity in 2022, especially after the Black Lives Matter and MeToo movements. You can see it in today’s social media content and apps. So, as a designer, you are also involved in social integration, which users appreciate very much.
This is how a trend becomes a trend.
4. Large and Bold Typography
Typography is a big part of design, and it’s getting more and more daring these days. This is part of the maximalism trend that is also part of 2022. Bold fonts attract attention and create a hierarchy between design elements. Most design directors for web products and app brands use it extensively.
5. Twisted Fonts
Crooked letters, weird versions of serifs, cursive, etc… This experimental typography trend applies typographic aberrations just like anti-design. One of the popular series from 2022, for example, uses it very well.
Yes, I am talking about the squid game. They are excellent at grabbing attention by getting users/viewers to read what you have to say.
6. Geometric Shapes
The design, including geometric shapes, is simple and minimalistic. This is why people love to brand and decorate their social media posts. Despite its simplicity and cleanliness, it brings a design to life when combined with matching colors.
Tech giants, including Zendesk, also favor this style. If you don’t like the abstract shapes that are often used in psychedelic or holographic design trends, you may prefer them.
7. Custom Illustrations
Hand-drawn illustrations will make your design more realistic. The actual image is like a signature on the design, giving users the feeling of being more connected to what they see on the screen.
In other words, it creates a design that is more human and emotional than stock images. Also, notice how the contrast created by the margins makes the picture more visible. It is a popular trend in visual content production these days.
8. Psychedelic Shapes and Fonts
Psychedelic designs are emerging these days. Contrary to the futuristic design and beautification of high tech, the old-school and retro styles of the 60s are quite popular. Bright colors and abstract illustrations are an integral part of this trend.
9. Muted Colors from Nature
The pandemic has forced us all to think more about our health and nature. Don’t you have friends who prefer healthier products and start taking care of your carbon footprint? It definitely influenced the color trend.
This is reflected in the design world through more neutral colors and muted color palettes. Instead of bright colors, it refers to a color scheme borrowed from natural objects such as land, sea, and leaves.
10. Nostalgia (Retro)
As I said earlier, unlike future-oriented projects, there is also a return to the 90s, 80s, and 70s. It is a style that can create a calm atmosphere in the rapidly changing world and technology.
But it’s also important to know what you’re trying to achieve with this design. For example, an old-fashioned style may not be suitable for a tech company. So, identify your users and see what they expect from your design.
One final note: design that transcends time and space Keeping up with trends and letting your designs resonate with the spirit of the world is great, but that doesn’t always mean creating imitative designs or sticking to conventions.
Because doing so can make your design outdated at some point. So it’s a matter of balance between creativity and convention. Find the connection point and your design will be a timeless piece. For example, consider the brand design of a very well-established company such as Apple, Spotify, or Mastercard. It has changed slightly over time, but it is unique and durable.
Thanks for making out this far, by this, we’ve come to an end just like every story has “the end”. Stay tuned for the next one, you guys!
