Graphic Design Trends of 2024

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Over the past year there have been a wide array of trending design tools and styles for the digital world, and the goal for this article is to discuss them!

Graphic Design Trends of 2024

• Minimalism

  • In visual arts, music and other media, minimalism was an art movement that began in post-World War II in Western arts, and it is most strongly associated with American visual arts in the 1960s and early 1970s.

• 3D Designs

  • Today, thanks to technological advancements, designers can create 3D masterpieces that showcase new dimensions and environments. It’s easy to recreate the world with 3D elements that immerse viewers into depths never imagined before. For example, 3D typography is no longer in the novelty space. The 3D typography is off the ground, and the best part is that it works for every type of typography. From skinny and bold to script and sans serif, it’s now easy to render any font in 3D. Aside from 3D typography, graphic design space has seen a proliferation of 3D compositions with stunning effects and impressions.

• Illustration

  • An illustration is a decoration, interpretation, or visual explanation of a text, concept, or process, designed for integration in print and digitally published media, such as posters, flyers, magazines, books, teaching materials, animations, video games and films.

• AI Designs

  • Professional designers are using AI to speed up their workflow, try out new trends and ideas, and even tackle the more tedious parts of the design process, like resizing images or sorting through tons of data.

• 3D Characters

  • If you ask any graphic designer in 2024, “What are the current trends in graphic design?” The 3D design will be one of the names that will always pop up. It has been one of the most popular graphic design industry trends for years now. In fact, Adobe Illustrator launched a new feature “Inflate” in 2023, and since Illustrator is one of the widely used graphic design tools the newly launched feature has made it easier than ever to transform your flat designs and fonts into 3D.

• AI Art

  • Generative Art (AI) can be used to create parts of an identity based on data or completely random, whatever fits that project best. From AI-driven patterns that evolve with every interaction to intricate compositions born from mathematical equations, this trend captures the magic of design in constant motion. It's a celebration of experimentation and creative exploration, revealing the boundless harmony between technology and artistry.

• Artificial Intelligence (AI)

  • Artificial intelligence, in its broadest sense, is intelligence exhibited by machines, particularly computer systems.

• Augmented Reality

  • Augmented reality is an interactive experience that combines the real world and computer-generated 3D content. The content can span multiple sensory modalities, including visual, auditory, haptic, somatosensory and olfactory.

• Typography

  • Typography is the art and technique of arranging type to make written language legible, readable and appealing when displayed. The arrangement of type involves selecting typefaces, point sizes, line lengths, line spacing, letter spacing, and spaces between pairs of letters.

• Doodles

  • The hand-drawn doodles graphic design trend, also known as hand-drawn art, brings out the ‘human’ in design. It derives from the idea that handcrafted elements infuse warmth. More brands and corporations have recently adopted this style to create a friendly, approachable image. You can use this versatile style to create designs in print and digital media, from outdoor banners to social media graphics.

• Nostalgia

  • Embracing and going back to the retro vibe of the 60s, 70s, 80s, and 90s in 2024 can be a winning point in today’s fast-paced technology of designs. When opting for this graphic style, it is crucial to understand the outcome you desire. Are you aiming to evoke nostalgia and create a sense of familiarity? Or looking for retro vibes? Whatever your goal is, it’s crucial to make and have a clear vision of what kind of design you want.

• Maximalism

  • In the arts, maximalism, a reaction against minimalism, is an aesthetic of excess. The philosophy can be summarized as "more is more", contrasting with the minimalist motto "less is more".

• Gradients

  • Gradients have been a popular web design trend and in graphic designing, gradients are making a roaring comeback. Seamlessly blending colors, they create mesmerizing transitions for added depth and dimension in your designs. Gradients are versatile – use them in backgrounds, typography, or logos.

• Data Visualization

  • Data and information visualization is the practice of designing and creating easy-to-communicate and easy-to-understand graphic or visual representations of a large amount of complex quantitative and qualitative data and information with the help of static, dynamic or interactive visual items.

• Vibrant Color Palettes

  • Neutrals and pastels have been reigning the design world over the past few years, but in 2024, bright vivid colors are back in style. Brands are using color to stand out from the crowd, grab attention and make a statement. Don’t be afraid to make bold color choices and experiment with unique combinations. 

• Bento Box Grids

  • The Bento box grid trend in graphic design revolves around the artful arrangement of boxes in varying sizes to house fragments of information or graphics. When these pieces come together, they form a cohesive larger box, resembling the compartments of traditional Japanese bento boxes. 

• Pixels

  • To make your brand scream modern and innovative, consider tapping into the pixel trend. Nowadays, pixels aren't just for retro video games; they bring a unique mix of nostalgia and modernity to web design, animation, illustration, and branding.

• Geometric Shapes

  • Geometric shapes are hugely popular, especially in brand logos like Adidas, YouTube, Spotify, Instagram, and even the Olympic Games. 

    Consistency is one of the rules in graphic design that never changes, and consistency is one of the most significant advantages of geometric shapes.

• Surrealism

  • Surrealism is an art and cultural movement that developed in Europe in the aftermath of World War I in which artists aimed to allow the unconscious mind to express itself, often resulting in the depiction of illogical or dreamlike scenes and ideas.

• Serifs

  • While not technically a visual style on its own, serifed fonts have taken center stage in the graphic design trends of 2023 and will become even bigger in 2024. Mayor brands are still moving away from traditional sans-serif fonts and are looking for a bit more character.

• Utilitarian Designs

  • Utilitarian design focuses on creating an easy and straightforward user experience by prioritizing functionality over unnecessary frills. Expect more and more brands to get on board with emphasizing simplicity, practicality, efficiency, and user-friendly design to make sure that both their online (and real-world) presence meets their users' needs while still looking great.

• Diversity and Inclusion

  • Designs are celebrating the beauty of different cultures! From traditional patterns to cultural symbols, designers are incorporating diverse elements, making designs a reflection of the rich tapestry of our world.

• Patterns and Abstract Gradients

  • Gradients are making a bold comeback. This graphic design trend is all about seamlessly blending colors from one shade to another, creating mesmerizing transitions that add depth and dimension to designs. Gradients are versatile, lending themselves to a variety of applications, from backgrounds to typography and logos.