Design trends change with time. And after the roller-coaster of a year that 2020 was, graphic designers have been forced to adapt to a lot more changes than usual. Due to the current unpredictable state of the world, it seems that people are gravitating towards things with less clutter. In the graphic design world, we refer to this as “less is more.” Bold and brash marketing has taken a backseat this year, and minimalism is set to rule the rest of 2021.
What designs trends have we seen in 2021?
From softer colour palettes and monotone designs to abstract visuals, some old trends are making a comeback while a few new ones have gained popularity. Let’s take a look at the top logo design and graphic design trends in 2021 so far.
1. “Green” Designs
Green Logo Design for a Landscaping Company
Whether it’s the use of earthy colour palettes or nature-inspired motifs, like flowers and leaves, graphic design is slowly going green.
Most of us have spent the past year cooped up inside, craving nature’s touch and a portal into the outside world. Natural elements in something as small as a photograph or product packaging can feel soothing for consumers.
Companies have also been using nature-inspired illustrations to pictorially depict their shift to eco-friendly, sustainable methods. These images can act as small yet powerful indicators of renewal, growth, and tranquility — things all of us are eagerly anticipating by the end of 2021.
2. Abstract Futurism
Abstract Futuristic Logo Design for a Modern Clothing Company
Abstract futurism is a concept centered on evoking optimistic feelings by combining mesmerizing colours and surreal scenes with a dash of minimalism.
Abstract futurism is one of the most imaginative and innovative design themes. It consists of designs that are full of elements like floating objects, abstract scenes, geometric figures, and unique colour combinations.
These designs strike a chord with customers and draw them in through their unique and memorable features.
3. 3D Designs and Typography
3D Logo Design for a Medical Services Company
The 3D technique is a tried and true concept implemented across several industries. It merges illustrations, photos, and 2D designs with 3D objects to add depth and a touch of reality to inanimate designs.
3D elements are the perfect tools to highlight a feature point in a design to catch the consumer’s attention. Additionally, 3D in combination with animation can add a new dimension and make the design look more dynamic and interesting.
3D Typography Logo Design for a Calgary-based Company
3D typography has emerged as a new movement in the graphic design industry. It is visually pleasing and artistic, keeping the audience engaged and holding their attention for a longer period.
Artistic merit and impact aside, transforming 2D typography into ultra-realistic, lifelike lettering can play a major role in your bounce rate too. 3D typographies are flexible and tangible in several aspects. Whether in shapes, colours, or textures, adding a 3D element can give life to still words and help blur the line between the digital and physical world.
4. Brutalism
Brutalist Logo Design for a Construction and Remodelling Company
Brutalism is a relatively old graphic design trend that’s been picking up speed as of late. It involves a more direct way of expressing a message or a concept without any frills.
Brutalist logo and graphic designs are popular in fields like advertising, retail, and product branding. In this technique, raw elements and objects are depicted in their untouched form without much post-processing and composing.
It’s a more compelling and realistic approach to conveying a message that’s rapidly emerging as a diverse and innovative trend in the graphic design industry.
5. Monochrome, Duotone, and Simplistic Designs
Simplistic Duotone Business Card Design for Men’s Shaving and Hairstyle Line
Colours not only make things more appealing and attractive, but when used cleverly, they can be a compelling tool to convey the meaning of an idea or a concept. Monochrome and duotone designs are effective ways of creating a strong presence using simple techniques.
Monochrome colour pallets serve as a breath of fresh air in the colour and clutter-filled internet space. When there’s a need to highlight the main point of a product or a service, the monochrome technique can serve as a perfect ally.
Using monochrome to depict several ideas and concepts on a single screen can also eliminate the confusion and chaos that’s sometimes associated with the overuse of colours. The same applies to the use of the duotone technique that makes use of two colours to highlight a feature.
6. Emoji and Character-based Designs
Character-based Logo Design for a Dental and Oral Health Clinic
Emojis are the drivers of modern communication. From messaging apps to website designs and printed media to logos, emojis have emerged as the 21st century’s digital answer to a lack of physical presence.
In digital communication, emojis and characters can enhance a message’s impact when text and word content fail to have the desired effect — especially in social media marketing campaigns. Not only do they lighten the mood and make the content more entertaining, but emojis and characters can also help convey the underlying tones and feelings. A symbolic representation of emotions, emoji and character-based designs have had the leg up this year for consumer visual experience.
Conclusion
We hope you learned about some of the design trends emerging so far in 2021. The world of graphic design is constantly expanding and evolving, with each year presenting a new set of trends. From 3D designs to earthy colour palettes, the graphic design trends we’ve seen in 2021 have been diverse and unique. It would be safe to say that in the next six months, we will see even more creative leaps and major transitions in the design world.
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Calgary-headquartered Digital Lion, with secondary locations in Edmonton and Ottawa, is a digital marketing and design agency built with a purpose and passion to partner with its clients and provide first-class Web Development, Graphic Design, and Online Marketing services. We work with clients across Canada, as well as worldwide, and are focused on being environmentally friendly and giving back to charities that we are passionate about. Our mission is to “Design a Better World®.” Browse our website, follow our social media channels, and contact us anytime for more information on how we can customize a package that meets your needs and suits your style.
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