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Welcome to the 2024 graphic design scene, where technology meets creativity like never before.
Adopting good design, be it in marketing, advertising campaigns, or packaging, is vital for branding. Brands must utilise an excellent design to stand out and connect with their target audiences. Therefore, it will establish brand loyalty in the long run.
The world of graphic design is continuously evolving, with new trends emerging. Here, we compile the top 7 graphic design trends to adopt in 2024, according to creative industry experts. Let’s explore.
1. AI-Powered Design
Many conflicting opinions exist about artificial intelligence (AI) assistance within the graphic design community. However, it’s time to embrace and use it to our advantage.
AI assistants can boost productivity, inspire designers, and create what was previously difficult due to labour and financial restraints.
Top software like Uizard, Adobe Sensei, and Design.ai help boost creativity and streamline designers’ work by taking care of mundane tasks, thus allowing designers to focus on their art.
As mentioned by Graphic Mama, the perfect example of AI assistance in graphic design is the Nutella campaign. The brand created 7 million unique package designs, which would have been impossible without the assistance of AI.
AI assistant is a brilliant example of how technology influences enormous changes in the design industry. The AI-powered design will rule 2024 as this tool has become widely popular within the graphic design community.
Pro Tip: Instead of entirely dependent on AI, designers can use their creative minds to art-direct AI tools and level up their design game.
2. Colourful & Bold Minimalism
Minimalism seeks to create impact by minimising the number of elements used. This trend uses simple, strong visuals, including clean lines, ample white space, and easy-to-read fonts.
On the other hand, colourful and bold minimalism brings a fresh and trendy look to conventional minimalism. This attention-grabber trend brings out an ultra-bright and joyful approach.
According to industry experts, this trend not only brings a sense of elegance and simplicity to the forefront but also promotes efficient communication.
Pro Tip: A limited colour palette and an emphasis on typography allows designers to convey a message precisely.
3. Pixel Art
Thanks to the popularity of games like Minecraft, pixel art is making a comeback. This retro visual, infused with a modern twist, captures the essence of nostalgic aesthetics.
With its unique and playful visual, pixel art has allowed designers to create eye-catching and intricate styles that add a touch of eccentricity to designs.
For example, A Pixel Art Poster announcing Adobe Air, designed by renowned pixel makers eBoy. Or, a more modern twist of pixel art poster by Ea Bissiau.
Infusing designs with a dose of nostalgic fun, Pixel art is not going out of trend and is here to stay in 2024.
Pro Tip: Combining elements from different eras can create a unique visual that injects fun nostalgia into designs.
4. 3D
Industry insiders have estimated that the 3D modelling market is expected to grow 20% annually from 2020 to 2026. The increasing access to advanced technology is a major force behind this trend.
Advanced programs like Cinema 4D, Blender, and Adobe Illustrator’s “Inflate” feature have allowed more designers to add 3D modelling to their toolbox.
Moreover, Owens of Instruct via CreativeBloq said, “There has been a huge influx of 3D design over the past years incorporated into design platforms like Canva, making things more accessible but also quite generic.”
This 3D trend also includes using textured 3D design. As described by Piktochart, the textured 3D design is a design where a hyper-realistic texture is applied to text and used as the centre of the design, drawing attention to the text.
Pro Tip: Make the text the focus of the design with a simple typography layout.
5. Maximalism
Breaking the rules? Yes. Another significant design trend in 2024 is Maximalism. It’s a trend with heavy compositions, bold colour combinations, and layered images. It uses all the space on the canvas and fills it with many elements everywhere.
Designers intentionally break the rules to create a unique design that instantaneously catches audiences’ eyes and imaginations.
As mentioned by Jukebox, the most discussed project regarding Maximalism is the rebranding of The Public Theater by Pentegram’s Paula Scher.
Maximalism disregards limitations and delights in superfluous. This style is perfect for art galleries, musicians, fashion labels, and industries with spontaneity.
Pro Tip: Use perfect balance between different elements while creating a complicated composition full of detail.
6. Natural Patterns and Textures
The rise of conscious consumption also affects how graphic design works. With the growing commitment of brands to practice environmental responsibility in the design and manufacturing of packaging, designers are rethinking their approaches to sustainability.
This trend incorporates nature-inspired textures like rough wood grain and earthy colour schemes such as green and brown or delicate watercolour washes.
STCKMN’s Chris Wilson stated via Creative Boom, “With reduced on-pack graphics, communicating brand and product details becomes challenging…However, with clever use of colour, uncluttered layouts and the introduction of smart graphics like QR, it offers unique ways of designing within these constraints.”
Pro Tip: Only some industries suit this trend; industries like food and drinks, cosmetics, or medicine can benefit.
7. Diversity & Inclusion
In 2024, graphic designers are creating visuals that resonate with the life experiences of diverse audiences. This trend incorporates visual elements celebrating a broader spectrum of skin colours, body types, genders, races, ethnicities, nationalities, and abilities.
According to Venngage, designers are also prioritising accessibility, ensuring their visuals are practical for people with visual impairments or cognitive disabilities.
‘Inclusive graphic design goes beyond compliance; it transforms user experiences, particularly for those with disabilities,’ as mentioned by Activatedesign. It emphasises the diversity of the world around us.
Pro Tip: Ensuring a sufficient contrast ratio between text and background improves readability and comprehension.
Influencing through Design
2024 starts with a stylish approach for the graphic design community. Strong visuals can be persuasive whether in digital art, marketing campaigns, website design, or any form of graphic design.
Designing is not just using one linear roadmap. It’s about adapting and mixing these styles to suit the brand’s goals.
The key is to blend them seamlessly into the artwork, making designs both attractive and impactful.
