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Trends In Graphic Design Technology You Need To Know About
The greatest part of graphic design trends is that each year offers an opportunity at a new beginning. And, in light of 2020’s intimidating form, the architecture trends of 2021 may provide the most important breath of fresh air yet.
While previous trends were inspired by the promise of a new decade and drew inspiration from sci-fi and futuristic technologies, the graphic design trends for 2021 prioritise human interaction. We surveyed our global network of graphic designers for their projections, and their responses—which ranged from classical symbolism to natural elements to analogue painting—indicate trends that are rooted in the present moment.
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Graphic design is mostly about elevating the mundane. Therefore, let us examine how the architects of 2021 are influencing the decade’s trajectory.
1. Abstraction psychedelic
Psychedelia originated as a music and pop phenomenon in the 1960s. It is associated with hallucinogens and creative experiments set against the backdrop of social upheaval: in a nutshell, it is the mind’s opening. In contrast to today, it seems to suit the times: the crazy imagery of psychedelia encouraging emancipation, the sense that artists are no longer bound by traditional constraints.
In 2021, graphic designers can revive psychedelia with the use of excessive colour and increasingly nuanced abstractions. Certain designs take on a life of their own in terms of explosive arrangements and complexity—to the extent that no two viewings sound identical.
2. A symbol’s rebirth
In design, even the smallest specifics are important. Coloured bars on a waving flag can unite a world, and a simple shape like a red octagon can save lives at a busy intersection.
Symbols of this kind have always been associated with universality. The beauty of classic icons is their ability to communicate without phrases, whether it’s conveying warnings or identifying a cause by shared iconography. Designers will use this power in 2021 to create aspirational representations of resilience, growth, and empowerment.
3. Retro-futurism
Retro futurism, or science fiction fantasies set in a bygone era, is attractive due to the drastic ways in which the past has gone wrong. By now, flying jets, ray guns, and robot maids were meant to be commonplace. On the other side, Roombas.
Retro futurism as a visual style, on the other hand, has survived over the years due to its audacious imagination and unusually optimistic outlook—at least more so than our current nightmares of doom in shows like Black Mirror. Retro futurists trusted in human success to the point that they believed that even frightening green Martians in flying saucers could not replace our technical prowess.
4. Surrealism that is consistent
Surrealism is an artistic phenomenon that the majority of people associate with the incomprehensible—imagery that is illogical of nature. However, several people miss the reality that it contains the word ‘realism.’ The true and the surreal are inextricably intertwined, and no year demonstrated this more than 2020, when pandemics of bad fiction became our way of life.
5. Genuine depiction
The Black Lives Matter movement ushers in a new era of global protest. We remain hopeful that this is just the beginning of a rethinking of systemic prejudice, and that its impact will continue to extend through all sectors, including graphic design, in 2021.
Designers have often attempted to substitute models of illustration and stock photography with real and diverse people. By 2021, we hope that it will have progressed beyond mere inclusivity and beyond celebration. We saw artists of colour elevated during the BLM marches, and the result was portraiture of black men and women in strong and inspiring environments and poses.
6. Irreverent characters
A well-made piece of furniture will tell you a tale. The story will continue to linger on in the hearts of those who see it. In 2021, the majority of graphic designers plan to leave geometric visuals in favour of quirky characters. Furthermore, the on charismatic these characters are, the more memorable they are.
At its heart is design painting, which offers not just character poses but also an element of creativity through a hand-drawn approach. This is why these styles range from intricate cross-hatching to the simple shapes, figures, and colours of contemporary cartoons. The concepts themselves—suit-clad monsters and anthropomorphic sushi—indicate the long-awaited return of humour and strangeness in the months ahead.
7. Pop art and graphic novels
Like an arch nemesis, architectural trends from the past never quite vanish. This year, graphic designers are reviving the grainy colours, heavy inking, and action lines of vintage comics.
Comic books, which were made in an era where printing methods were outdated, often used halftones or simple dot colouring to represent pigment. This approach, with its grainy texture and depth, can now inject new life into modern minimalist patterns, such as flat design. Similarly, web designers will crack the grid by using slanted panels and twisting shapes to provide a sense of drama and motion.
8. Fine art infusion
While fine art and architecture have historically been divided, 2021 is less associated with shared borders. As a result, we expect that painterly techniques such as acrylic brushstrokes and abstract expressionism would make its way into shelves and screens worldwide.
Abstraction is one of my favourite art techniques and methods because it provides us with complete artistic freedom. Abstraction can be used in colours, patterns, shapes, and spaces.
Painting contributes texture and depth to compositions, making them seem realistic and approachable. As a consequence, this trend pairs well with tangible products. Due to the fact that fine art is associated with heritage and class, it is particularly well-suited for products that want to convey an old-world elegance, such as wine labels and cosmetic packaging.
Painting also yields richer colours than computer-generated tones, giving compositions a sense of solemnity. While it might not seem so, designs like these compel the viewer to stop and reflect.
