05 Jan Design Trends
DESIGN
2023 Graphic Design Trends (Our Top 10)
In design fields across the board, 2023 trends have arrived for new experiments and possibilities in creativity. There is actually a long list of graphic design trends for designers to take note of in the coming years. But I’ve decided to highlight my top ten curated from either most interesting, favourite, or noteworthy. These trends are set to showcase creativity at its most uninhibited in years. One thing to note, design styles almost always borrow from each other. You will likely spot common threads of several trends or designs that will use elements from a few trends rather than singularly.
I don’t advocate for branding with trends just for the sake of being trendy. I like to say we craft brand identities that transcend trends. It really depends what a brand is wanting to push out into the world. There are trends that are useful and serve a purpose as the world, media, and marketing shifts, changes or evolves. Then there are others that seem to lean more towards a fad, and well, for most brands should be ignored. With that said, let’s take a look at our top ten list of graphic design trends for 2023.
/01
Bold Minimalism
We will see a shift toward bolder type and simple but strong graphical shapes with brighter colours used in more clean and minimal layouts. It adds a burst of excitement and energy to help deliver a clear message and brings a design to life.
Source images: Clockwise from top-left – Olivier Charland, Birdwingo by Lucie Bajgart, Brash via Pinterest, Inner West Identity via Behance
/02
Brutalism
Brutalism, just like in architecture is a raw aesthetic without a lot of distracting elements or decoration. Similar to minimalism, a few design elements are the star of the show, but they are arranged in a more edgy, sometimes contradictory way with modular, often repeating layered pieces. The final result can appear unfinished or unedited but more honest than polished designs. Brutalism graphic design requires a lot more thought and creativity than you might think!
Source images: Clockwise from top-left – Program MNAC via Pinterest, Chris Noringriis via Dribble, Obama ‘Hope’ Poster by Shepard Fairey via Medium, Porto via Pinterest
/03
Bold + Bright
While already quite popular, the bright and bold trend in design shows no signs of slowing down. Bright and bold brings energy and helps lift designs out of conventional territory. These impactful designs herald an optimistic and positive mood.
Source images: Clockwise from top-left – via Color Factory via Pinterest, Gated Content by Rishad, HuskyFox via Behance, Mama Sera by Soul Creative
/04
Distorted Type
In addition to distorted type you will see more wavy, bubbled, playful and shapeshifting type making a strong presence in designs. Less about legibility, this expressive type when done well, really helps to emote a certain feeling, elicit a reaction or convey a specific message. It’s quirky, but can be incredibly powerful for certain brands.
Source images: Clockwise from top-left – via Nordic Black Theatre by Umer Ahmed via Pinterest, via Dream by Yellow Images via Pinterest, ‘100 years of Sacré Cœur Orden in Bonn’ publication design by multiple owners via Behance, Chop Lord by Viet Huyhn via Dribble
/05
Gradients
Gradients, while they never really left the design world, are trending up again. These colour transitions that blend from one to the next are versatile and add depth, dimension and interest to designs for modern, artsy or fun brands. In addition, we’ll see liquid gradients (seen on the Rock ‘n Nolla packaging top right), with a molten, fluid appearance that translates well into animations.
Source images: Clockwise from top-left – via Phased Beauty via Pinterest, Rock n’ Nola by Fairlyles, Another Dimensions poster by Taras L via Behance, Kind(le) packaging by Audrey Elise via Dribble
/06
Illustrations
Illustration and movement in design is making a big comeback and gaining popularity again in branding and the world of graphics. Illustrations can bring a unique, exclusive element to brands, help illustrate a message, and add fun, playful details for eye-catching designs.
Source images: Clockwise from top-left – This Corn by Peter Gregson Studio, Phil’s Finest by Gander via Dieline, Graziano by Multiple Owners via Behance, The Taco by Gold Lunchbox via Dribble, Juice Squeeze by Sara Stanger via Behance
/07
Minimal Vintage
There’s a trend happening with the old-fashioned logos and graphic design but with more clean and minimal qualities. Less swashes and fancy embellishments, more use of white or negative space, but definitely a wink to the vintage designs from yesteryear. This look and feel helps to portray some nostalgia while keeping the aesthetic more clean and polished. We’ll see more slab and block lettering, hand-crafted type and logos without looking overtly vintage. The key should be quieter designs that nod to or reference a particular decade.
Source images: Clockwise from top-left – KEW 3101 Coffee by Multiple Owners via Behance (top left and bottom left) , CNET by Collins, Logos: Gorges Beer Co. by Greg Anthony Thomas via Dribble, Fifty Two Beer (source unknown – please contact if this artwork belongs to you so we can provide proper credit), Nashville by Viola Hill via Dribble, The Early Bird by Audrey Elise via Dribble
/08
Modern Art Nouveau
“Art Nouveau” was considered the first modern style which was first seen in visual arts, design and architecture in the late 19th century. The Art Nouveau movement sought to bring beauty to all aspects of life and to all people. Noteworthy traits to this design style include curvy, sinuous and luxurious lines, natural linear lines, and a focus on flourishes and florals, buds, leaves, and plants. How this style will translate into 2023 and the coming years? I believe a little less maximalism than the former look, and more clean and modern elements to help each one shine in the designs. We’ll especially continue to see more Art Nouveau inspired fonts and lettering.
Source images: Clockwise from top-left – Crane Paper by Its That Nice, Montecatini Font (Hotel CoMella) by Louise Filli, Modern Art Nouveau Font by Oxana Tkach, Park Lane by Mother Design, Flor Tortilla Packaging by Multiple Owners via Behance, Darwin Nouveau (green design) by Katie Johnson, Chloe typeface (Estee Lauder) by kissmilos via Behance
/09
Photographic Branding
Perhaps one of my biggest highlights in creating brands is when the client has the budget for gorgeous, custom photography. An image, as they say, is worth a thousand words. When designing I often say, why use all these words to convey a message when we can do it in one image? So I’m thrilled about this trend toward heavy photography use in branding. It helps to bring a human quality to brands and an immersive, engaging experience to a brand identity and brand collateral.
Source images: Clockwise from top-left – Striking street fashion by Salva Studio, Charlie Rose identity by Pentagram, Hook Brand Identity by multiple owners via Behance, Once Stop Shop Gated Content by Rishad via Dribble
/10
Return to Sans Serif Type
Anyone who knows me knows I love a good serif font. The details, the character… I love it all! But I’m really excited about the return to sans serif type. Serif fonts won’t be going anywhere but we’ll see more of these clean, minimal and accessible letterforms. There’s a freshness to be found in the sans serifs again and with different weights, heights, condensed versions and more variations there’ll be plenty of unique, expressive ways to use this type.
Source images: Clockwise from top-left – National Theatre Posters by Pentagram, AKT Deodorant Balm by Two Times Elliott, Ginto font (Toilet Paper) by ABC Dinamo, Hudson Made Soaps, Juno logo by Meg Lewis via Dribble, Okta Neue by Photographers Lounge
Do you find yourself identifying with or drawn to one of these trends? There are often ways to incorporate elements of something new into your current branding without recreating the wheel. Or if you’re a business that wants to show you’re current, it might be time for a rebrand. Whether this sparks ideas, a desire for a brand refresh or a complete rebrand, reach out to us! We’d love to hear from you.
