Top 13 Design Trends For Cutting Edge Design In 2024 - Design Post 21

Introduction 

    2024 has barely dipped its feet in the water and many trends are already in the works. In the article "Top 13 Design Trends for Cutting Edge Design in 2024", Enina Bicaku discusses these trends.

Link: https://looka.com/blog/graphic-design-trends/

Why Graphic Design Trends Matter

    Graphic Design Trends are crucial to the evolution of design and the world. By staying up-to-date on these trends, you can communicate and keep your audience fully engaged. They will appreciate this gesture because you thought about their interests throughout the process. Humans like to know they are being kept in mind.

    Bicaku quotes the writer and activist Toni Cade Bambara, "The role of the artist is to make revolution irresistible.", and then she explains that "Graphic design trends aren't only a sign of times, they're sometimes a catalyst to change themselves".

    According to Bicaku, these are the 13 Design Trends and what's happening with them:

Diversity And Inclusion

    Many things pop in our minds when we hear Diversity and Inclusion, but in Graphic design, this means using "real" people to represent our products and designs.

    Our earth is filled with people from all walks of life. We should represent our society for how it is.

3D Realism

    Because AI is becoming popular fast many settings can be generated with a surrealistic look and feel.

    3D Realism has an inflatable 3D futuristic look. Looks like these are being created with programs such as Midjourney and Open AI, and they are mostly being used for ads, posters, social media, and web design.

70's Nostalgia

    Last year was all about glitter and gaudiness, but this year designers are honing in on the 60s and 70s, faded colors, handmade illustrations, and the human touch to designs. 

Maximalism In Composition

    Designers are walking into unknown territory breaking some of the basic rules in graphic design. 

    Maximalism is becoming popular filling the whole page with big colors, shapes, and typography. Margins are disappearing, and every inch of the pages is popping out fully engaging the audience.

Experimental Typography

    This is a cool one for me! Instead of using the same boring serif and sans-serif typefaces designers are getting creative.

    Display fonts are becoming more of a "thing" in 2024, and all of the boundaries are being pushed regarding legibility and readability.

Illustration and Animation

    Designers are taking it back! Hand-drawn illustrations are coming back to life with everyone taking a stroll down memory lane. 

    Bicaku states "It's an ode to old-world craftsmanship and handmade arts!"

Anti-design

    Back with the rule-breaking and breach of boundaries, last year was all about dark, harsh, goth designs. This year, many designers are using multiple thoughts with various weights and sizes grouped in sentences and paragraphs. Also, designers are using different shapes to fill with various typefaces spacing them in awkward positions causing you to turn your head and your body so that you can read them. Designers are intentionally trying to grab your attention instantaneously.

Vintage Minimalism

    Quite the opposite of Maximalism, vintage minimalism is keeping it simple but still taking it back to the old days as if you were walking around an old apothecary. The label is like that of a typewriter with a wax stamp and hand-drawn instructions.

    One of two typefaces is being used, and the typeface is modern to add an edgy feel.

Abstract Gradients And Transitions

    Gradients are showing up continuously like they always have leading the viewer's eyes to the main attraction; however, vibrant colors and flowy and surreal-looking designs are sparking up a flame. The gradients are also simpler. Designers are using two-toned transitions between complementary colors.

Texture And Senses

    The retro old-school look is also being used in textures as well. Designers are converting back to natural looks such as bubble gum, glass, grainy paper, and flowy silk so viewers also see the effect of the physical part of the design.

Earth-First Design

    Sustainability has become a major concern and focus with newer generations, so designers are infusing natural design elements, textures, and color palettes.

    Bicaku states, “This trend is about being inspired by the sturdiness of rocks, the oscillating sea, bright fresh fruit, and lush forest canopies.”

Geometric Shapes

    Geometric shapes have made an astounding entrance. These shapes simplify the world while at the same time presenting themselves as bold, modern statements. They catch the eye of the viewers instantly.

    Geometric shapes are being seen more and more in the development of brands, packaging, and web design.

AI-Powered Design

         

    Lastly, the talk of the end of 2023 and the beginning of 2024 is AI-powered design. AI-powered design helps designers refine their ideas, and it makes the process of design more efficient. While AI still has some hiccups and can never replace the human touch, it is a beneficial tool for designers, especially text-to-image generators (Midjourney, Dall.E.2, or Jasper).

Conclusion

    This year's trends have covered a huge portion of graphic design. Designers must keep up with new trends because the design industry and the world are always evolving. Designers have to evolve with the trends so they can come up with designs that consumers are going to relate to and stay engaged with.