TL;DR - Graphic Design Trends 2024
Before diving into the details, here’s a quick overview of the graphic design trends covered in this guide.
Technology Driving New Visual Styles
Advances in technology will enable graphic designers to tell stories and convey ideas in innovative new ways. Expect to see more:
Immersive 3D and AR/VR Visuals
3D technology has unlocked new possibilities for experience design. In 2024, expect more brands to embrace 3D, augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) to create immersive environments and enhance visual storytelling.
From interactive AR filters on Instagram to virtual spaces in the metaverse, 3D and AR/VR present engaging new canvases for graphic designers. These technologies are especially beneficial for showcasing products and conveying experiences in a vivid, lifelike way.
Voice User Interfaces Transforming UI/UX
Voice technology is revolutionizing interface design. As more people engage with voice assistants like Alexa and Siri, audio-based UX will become increasingly important.
In 2024, voice user interface (VUI) design will be integral for chatbots, smart speakers, in-car systems, wearables, and other voice-enabled devices. Graphics and visuals will need to be optimized for these voice-first experiences.
AI-Generated Design Elements
Advancements in AI will allow designers to automate repetitive tasks and generate unique design assets. With AI tools, designers can instantly create variations of layouts, images, and icons.
2024 will see more designers embracing AI to boost their productivity and ideation. But rather than replace human designers, AI will augment their skills. Look for unique visual mashups blending AI-generated elements with custom creative direction.
Retro and Vintage Styles Make a Comeback
Nostalgic retro styles from previous decades will gain popularity in 2024. By skillfully mixing retro elements with modern aesthetics, designers can create visually interesting juxtapositions.
Key retro styles making a comeback:
1980s and 90s Inspired Design
Get ready for a resurgence of 1980s and 1990s graphic design styles. Expect to see elements like neon colors, abstract geometrics, pixel art, and Memphis design. Brands can use these vibrant retro styles to stand out in the feed-based social media landscape.
Strategic Use of Nostalgia
Nostalgia marketing will continue as brands leverage nostalgic designs to connect with target demographics. For example, packaging may use retro graphics/typography to trigger fond memories and build brand loyalty.
Handcrafted and Organic Design
In response to excessive digital stimulation, brands will embrace a return to the handmade. More brands will adopt natural, handcrafted aesthetics to convey authenticity.
Key handcrafted design trends:
Custom Illustrations and Textures
Illustrators will be increasingly sought after to create bespoke drawings and textures that look imperfectly human. Custom illustrations can provide a brand’s visual identity a unique hand-drawn feel.
Imperfect, Handmade Aesthetics
Consumers are craving connection and imperfection. Rough edges, raw textures, and irregular shapes will be used to make designs feel organic, warm, and approachable.
Vibrant, Bold Color Palettes
Color trends in 2024 will be vibrant and energetic. Expect to see the use of bold neon palettes and pastels to grab attention and set the right mood.
Trending color choices:
Vibrant Neons
Eye-catching neon palettes with bright pinks, greens, and oranges will provide a futuristic allure. When combined with retro styles, neon creates a potent nostalgia-meets-modern contrast.
Dreamy Pastels
Soft, muted pastel palettes will become dominant for creating a comforting, inviting feel. Especially popular for health/wellness and female-focused brands.
Color Psychology
Brands will strategically select colour palettes to influence emotions and drive actions. Warm tones can convey friendliness, cool tones signal professionalism, and high contrast commands attention.
Inclusive and Sustainable Design
With social justice and climate change front of mind, inclusion and sustainability will significantly influence 2024 design trends.
Celebrating Diversity
Brand imagery will spotlight diversity to showcase meaningful representation of gender, ethnicity, body type, age, and ability. Stock photos of real people will portray the beautiful spectrum of humanity.
Sustainable Materials and Messaging
Eco-conscious brands will reinforce their commitment to sustainability through renewable packaging and branding that highlights green values. Terms like “recyclable” “organic” and “fair trade” will be highlighted.
Typography Trends: Creative Font Use
Typography will take centre stage as designers use fonts in innovative ways to make bold visual statements.
Variable Fonts
With variable fonts, designers gain finer control over typography for limitless creative options. Expect variable fonts to be used for slick animated text effects on websites and dynamic letterforms across media.
Typography as Graphical Elements
More brands will embrace inventive text arrangements where the typography itself becomes the primary graphical element. This allows text to double as both legible copy and abstract shapes.
Metaverse and Web 3.0 Inspirations
The hype around the metaverse, NFTs, crypto, and web 3.0 will inspire new design territory in 2024. Think cyberpunk, sci-fi, and virtual aesthetics.
Cyberpunk and Sci-Fi
The matrix-like metaverse will accelerate cyberpunk, glitch, and holographic styles. Expect futuristic neon palettes, glowing holograms, pixel art, and computer-inspired layouts.
Avatars and Virtual Goods
To represent brands in virtual worlds, designers will craft stylized avatars and create graphics for virtual clothing, accessories, skins, and items. The demand for digital assets and NFTs will rise.
Discipline-Specific Design Trends
While this guide covers overarching styles, it’s also helpful to look at trends specific to design disciplines.
Here are some examples of 2024 trends tailored to print, packaging, and digital:
Print Design Trends
Packaging Design Trends
Digital Design Trends
The Future Is Visual
Graphic design trends offer a glimpse into the future of visual communication. As technologies and cultures evolve in 2024, graphic styles will evolve along with them. By keeping up with the latest trends and tools, designers can create resonant work that connects with modern audiences on a deeper level.
