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2023 Graphic Design Trends & How to Leverage Them in Your Business

by | Feb 22, 2023 | Graphic Design | 0 comments

graphic design trends 2023 blog image
As an entrepreneur or marketing expert, understanding the latest trends in our ever-changing world is critical. It’s essential to be aware and watchful of what people are concentrating on so that you can make informed marketing decisions for your business. After all, keeping ahead of the curve can give you a competitive edge. But how can you anticipate the next design trend? (Not to be too cheesy.) If you’re looking for the latest and greatest graphic design trends of 2023, this blog post is where to look. Let’s dive into the top trends in graphic design, what’s driving them, and how you can know when to leverage the right ones!

Keeping these trends in mind ensures that your company’s visuals are always on point. So read on and learn about what’s hot in graphic design!

 

2023 Is a Year for Graphic Design Trends That Make A Statement.

It’s funny to say this, but 2023 may be a groundbreaking year for graphic design. After many years—thanks to an economic shift, the pandemic, and a lot of technological changes– we are finally seeing a massive shift away from minimalism. Businesses and consumers are embracing bolder, more expressive designs that stand out and make a statement.

Gone are the days of subtlety; designers are now creating visuals with vibrant colors and eye-catching textures, combined with intricate details and layers to create stunning visuals with real impact.

 

What is Driving The graphic Design Changes, We are Seeing?

An over-saturated market drives a shift.

The shift from minimalism in graphic design is, in many ways, due to oversaturation in the market. As more and more companies used minimalistic designs, consumers became desensitized to them, and they no longer had the same impact they once did.

To stand out from the crowd, more businesses must embrace more expressive designs that draw attention and convey the company’s message in an impactful way.

 

New Tech Drives New Design Opportunities

In the last handful of years, significant technological changes have transformed the graphic design world much faster than we have seen in a while. These advancements have made creating high-quality designs easier and more efficient in less time.

One significant change has been the rise of cloud-based design tools. Platforms like Figma and Creative Cloud allow teams to collaborate in real time, regardless of location. This has made it easier for teams to collaborate on projects, share feedback, and make revisions quickly and efficiently.

Another major development in recent years has been the increased use of automation in design software. Programs like Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator now offer a range of automated features, such as auto-alignment, neural filters, and batch processing, that can save designers hours on repetitive tasks.

In addition to these developments, there have also been advances in artificial intelligence (AI) that are starting to impact the field of graphic design. AI-powered tools are now being used for tasks like color selection and image resizing, helping designers work more efficiently and effectively.

Web design tools have become more powerful and easier to use, allowing for the creation of more complex websites. This has led to a shift from the simple style of website that was popular only a few years ago. It’s now possible to incorporate a wide variety of features without needing specialist coding knowledge.

It takes less time to accomplish complex tasks allowing more freedom of expression.

 

Let’s Not Forget the Pandemic

The COVID pandemic has made an indelible mark on businesses worldwide, with massive changes that would not have occurred without this crisis. Many companies have shifted to a more online presence. There are fewer brick and mortars.

The events of the last few years have significantly changed the graphic design industry and led to increased use of bold colors and sometimes funky, eye-catching visuals to grab the attention of would-be customers–particularly among brands that cater to Gen-Z. Lockups, loss, and feeling stuck in “2020” have led many to pivot hard (act out) as soon as possible.

 


 

From Throwback Serifs to More Funky Colors, These Are the Trends You Need To Know About.

The design world is ever-evolving, and this year, we have seen significant movements in what is being created and how customers respond. Classic serif fonts have made a big comeback thanks to some moves made by major brands like Chobani a few years back and, more recently, Burberry. Looking beyond typography and into other elements, fun bright colors are a hot trend as well as custom branded photography. Undoubtedly, these trends present abundant possibilities and will impart refined intelligence and clarity to any project.

Here are trends in graphic design that are more than just a fleeting moment:

 

1: Mixing Media Styles

Mixed media 2023 design trend
Eolo

Mixed media styles is a popular trend in graphic design that continues to evolve. It involves the combination of photography, illustration, and digital tools to create visually powerful art that can tell brand stories in new ways. You can make unique visual statements that evoke emotion and that stand out from the crowd by combining different media types.

This technique allows you to innovatively use different materials, textures, and techniques. Whether combining illustrations with photography or utilizing 3D elements, mixed media provides endless opportunities to explore unprecedented visual directions.

Experimentation with this design style has become increasingly popular in recent years and will likely continue to be a significant trend in 2023.

 

2: Classic Serif Fonts

Serif Font used in branding

Truli Chocolate buttons

More traditional serif fonts are making a significant comeback in graphic design. Big brands like Mailchimp and Chobani were some of the first to pave the way for this trend. Leading to a floodgate of brands using serif fonts to create modern yet classic designs that resonate with their audiences.

Since then, more and more brands and designers have incorporated serif fonts into their work, taking advantage of their timeless appeal. Serif fonts can add a touch of sophistication and classic elegance to any project, making them an excellent choice for any business looking to make an impactful statement.

 

3: Bold and Bright colors

primary and bright colors are favored
21ST – Brand Identity by Alexis Balinoff

Brands are pushing the boundaries of creativity and artistry by infusing their work with vibrant neon hues and intense primary colors that scream off the page. From subtle, complementary highlights to vivid, bold color palettes filled with exuberance.

These bright and beautiful color schemes create a memorable impression, often reflecting the mood of a brand or product. Bright and bold colors are perfect for creating eye-catching visuals that will stand out from the crowd.

 

4: Bauhaus Inspired Geometrics

bauhaus replaces the memphis style

UMA Brand Studio for Jerónimo Martins

This style evokes a timeless look with modern flair, combining classic geometric elements with bright colors and clean lines. Using bold geometric shapes and colors, your brand will stand out in a crowded marketplace and create an unmistakable impact that will leave a lasting impression on your customers. Use this powerful trend to help your business stand apart from the competition and drive more sales.

 

5: Maximalism

everything and the kitchen sink
relajaelcoco studio for El Museo De Todos

Maximalism is a bold and vibrant graphic design trend that has recently gained popularity. This design style rejects the traditional idea that “less is more” and instead embraces an approach of “more is more.” The direct antithesis of minimalism, maximalism typically utilizes bold color combinations, layered images, prominent typography, and repeating motifs to create eye-catching designs that are sure to draw attention. Maximalism is the perfect choice for brands looking to make a statement – the only limit is your imagination!

 

6: Mysticism

a little new age design in 2023

Fuman Design Studio for Vera Skincare

Mysticism is a unique graphic design trend that combines spirituality, tarot, and art deco to create something special. This style incorporates symbols and imagery associated with the spiritual world, such as crescent moons and stars, along with Tarot-inspired designs, such as cups, swords, coins, and pentacles. The Art Deco influences bring geometric shapes and angular lines to add depth and interest to the overall look. Mysticism is perfect for creating bold, creative, and utterly captivating designs.

 

7: Expressive and Experimental Typography

hand type makes a come back
Sérgio Bergocce for Asics

Experimental typography is an up-and-coming graphic design trend for 2023 that embraces the bold and imaginative use of letterforms. This typography style focuses on pushing the boundaries of traditional letterforms and textures beyond expectations, often utilizing handmade lettering to create unique pieces. With this form of typography, the letterforms become the image.

Using custom handmade type in brand storytelling is an effective way to help your audience connect with the message you’re trying to communicate. By incorporating a personal touch into your branding, you can draw attention to the stories behind your products or services. This makes them more relatable and engaging for customers. With experimental typography, you can create genuinely captivating visual content that will help bring your stories to life!

 

8: More Gradients

gradients are still cool
Nike Japan Active Space by Asuka Watanabe

Gradients have become an increasingly popular trend in graphic design in recent years. By blending two or more colors together, designers can create a seamless transition that adds depth and dimensionality to their designs.

Fifteen years ago, using a gradient in design would have been considered a massive design no-no. (Trust me, my design professors rallied against their use.) Today, they are used to create eye-catching visual content that stands out. From subtle fades to bold color blocks, gradients can be used in various ways to create eye-catching visuals that capture viewers’ attention. Another reason why gradients are so popular is their ability to evoke emotion.

Whether it’s a calming blue-green fade or an energizing red-orange gradient, colors can have a powerful impact on how people feel about a design. By carefully selecting the right hues and blending them together in just the right way, designers can create designs that are not only visually stunning but also emotionally engaging.

From websites to logos, this stunning style can capture attention and add an extra layer of vibrancy. With the right mix of colors and unexpected shapes, gradients can be incredibly effective when used with purpose.

 

9: Unique Brand Styled Photography

photos should be yours

Too Gallus for Milk and Honey London

Branded photography captures the essence and personality of a brand in an authentic and visually engaging way. By creating custom-made photography tailored to represent your brand’s vision, you can create content that resonates with customers and helps establish deeper relationships with them. Not only will using branded photography make your projects stand out, but it will also help to convey the right message about your brand – making sure that it stands apart from competitors!

 

Get ahead of the competition by incorporating the right trends into your marketing.

The most successful companies stay ahead of the competition by understanding how their audience is shifting and learning what their customers want.

Incorporating the latest trends into your marketing can help you rise above your competitors, maximize brand awareness, and set yourself apart in a crowded marketplace. Staying one step ahead of the game also allows you to optimize customer experience, give your customers something new to explore, and position your company as an innovator.

Investing in trend research and development will lay the foundation for success, so don’t be afraid to trust that intuition—you never know where it may take you!

 

How Quickly Should your business jump on a graphic design trend?

Graphic design is exciting, but trends change quickly. Be cautious when choosing which to follow. Balance a solid brand foundation with current stylish trends. Choose trends for marketing that reflect current styles while remaining true to your brand.

It’s essential to balance establishing a solid foundation for your brand over time and leveraging the current fleeting yet stylish trends that will keep your brand modern and up-to-date. By carefully choosing which trends you incorporate into your marketing, advertising, and brand collateral, you can ensure that they are updated to reflect current popular styles while remaining true to your brand’s core values.

Incorporating trends into campaigns is a great way to keep your marketing efforts up to date. Note that you shouldn’t rebrand every time something new comes along. By staying true to your brand and incorporating the current trends into specific campaigns, you can always keep up with the times without compromising who you are. This way, you will remain consistent and stay ahead of shifting tastes.

Before incorporating a particular graphic design trend into your marketing efforts, it’s essential to consider how long that marketing piece will last. If you’re creating something that will remain in use for more than a few months, such as a corporate logo or website template, it’s best to err on the side of caution and avoid following trends that may already be fading at the time of production. On the other hand, if you’re creating a short-term piece of marketing like an individual advert, it may make sense to take advantage of any popular trends in vogue.


Conclusion

In conclusion, understanding and incorporating the latest trends into your marketing materials is a great way to stay ahead of your competition. However, it’s important to remember that there’s a balance between leveraging current fleeting yet stylish trends and staying true to your brand identity. When deciding which graphic design trend to incorporate into your campaigns or branding efforts, consider how long-lasting their impact will be before acting. This will ensure you can remain consistent with who you are while keeping up with shifting tastes. With these tips in mind, you can create eye-catching content that stands out from competitors!

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