The graphic design landscape is ever-evolving, with new trends emerging and old ones making a comeback. As we look ahead to 2025, several key trends are poised to shape the industry. This article delves into these trends, exploring the nuances and the innovators driving them forward.
Anti-Trend Movement
Embracing Unique Inspirations
One of the most intriguing trends is the “anti-trend” movement, where designers deliberately move away from mainstream aesthetics. This shift is characterized by the use of unique, sometimes offbeat inspirations. For instance, the Brat design prominently features the ROM typeface and a distinct acid green hue (#8ACE00), chosen for its divergence from trending colors. Brent David Freaney of Special Offer emphasizes this preference for “off-trend” elements, highlighting a departure from conventional aesthetic desires. The anti-trend movement represents a countercultural shift in graphic design, where resistance to prevailing norms becomes a statement in itself, urging designers to draw inspiration from untapped or overlooked sources, resulting in a richer and more diverse visual language.
Innovators in this space are continually pushing the boundaries of what constitutes good design, challenging both themselves and their audience. This departure from the norm fosters a creative freedom that is both compelling and unpredictable, adding layers of depth to the design narrative. As a result, the anti-trend movement signifies not just a rejection of existing trends but an active participation in the creation of new ones. It’s a dynamic dialogue between tradition and innovation, ultimately expanding the horizons of graphic design.
Innovators in the Anti-Trend Space
Parámetro Studio is another notable name in this space, known for drawing inspiration from elements considered outdated or slightly aged. This approach brings fresh perspectives and challenges traditional trend forecasting roles. Despite the difficulties in predicting trends within this anti-trend framework, several designers and studios are making their mark. Mestiza, Louise Borinski, Muon, Ram, Caleb Vanden Boom, Vincenzo Marchese Ragona, and Studio HanLi each demonstrate distinct approaches in their mini-protests against mainstream norms. These studios and individuals aren’t merely defying trends—they’re establishing new benchmarks for creativity and pushing the industry forward.
Their work underscores an important insight: the value of embracing the “off-trend” lies in its ability to surprise and provoke, fueling an ongoing evolution in the visual arts. Parámetro Studio, for instance, achieves a striking visual vocabulary by revisiting the outdated, allowing the past to converse with the present. Mestiza and Louise Borinski similarly embrace forgotten styles, leveraging these elements to forge connections with audiences yearning for freshness in familiar places. This notion of reimagining the obsolete serves as a reminder that good design often lies in places least expected, and tapping into this reservoir of ‘unfashionable’ elements breaks the mold of predictability.
Logos and the “First Edition” Trend
The emergence of the “first edition” trend has seen an increase in demand and value for initial releases, particularly within niche markets such as books, video games, and collectibles. Logos associated with these first editions often become iconic and highly sought after, symbolizing authenticity, origin, and often, a higher level of craftsmanship or rarity. This trend highlights the public’s growing appreciation for original and limited releases, further driving the market for exclusive and premium items.
Historical Inspirations in Logo Design
A significant shift in logo design is noted, with designers moving away from creating digital-friendly icons towards more ornamental and capsule-like insignia reminiscent of bookplates. This trend, termed “First Edition,” harks back to 15th-century branding practices where lords “branded” their books with custom-designed labels or stamps. Modern designs like the branding work of Mestiza Estudio for Outline Brooklyn and Muon for Apter echo this historical narrative. By drawing upon historical motifs, designers create a visual bridge spanning centuries, fostering a sense of continuity and timelessness that modern minimalism often lacks.
Designers are reinterpreting these classical elements with a contemporary twist, making logos that are not only aesthetically appealing but also rich in context and meaning. This shift signifies a broader cultural yearning for authenticity and roots, compelling brands to convey stories that resonate on a deeper, more personal level. The tactile quality of ‘First Edition’ logos—marked by hand-drawn lines and nuanced details—reinvigorates the branding landscape with a sense of craft and intentionality, setting it apart in a digital age dominated by uniformity and mass production.
Crafting Heritage Narratives
Designers are interweaving historical aesthetic principles with contemporary branding to create a heritage narrative. Studios such as Ram Studio and Studio Hanli craft logos inspired by forest scenes or medieval bookplates, enriching the brand identity with a sense of personal style and history. These designs use hand-drawn, stamped insignia that suggest a heritage or timeless quality, subtly implying an older origin than the brands typically own. This narrative approach to logo design allows brands to tap into collective nostalgia, embedding a rich narrative within their visual identities.
This blending of old and new not only resonates with consumers on an emotional level but also demonstrates a sophisticated understanding of cultural and historical contexts. By doing so, brands can create lasting impressions that are authentic and memorable. Ram Studio and Studio Hanli’s work exemplify this trend by leveraging historical motifs and integrating them into contemporary designs, creating logos that are both evocative and innovative. This nuanced design approach not only informs but also captivates, forming a deeper connection with audiences seeking meaning and substance in a sea of superficial imagery.
Art Deco Typography Revival
The Return of Geometric Elegance
Art Deco, originating in Paris in the 1910s and defined by geometric shapes, sharp angles, and elongated figures, is making a comeback. The resurgence of this style is evident in contemporary type design, where designers seek to invoke timeless nostalgia while maintaining modern sophistication. Memory Studio exemplifies this trend, blending traditional hand lettering skills with modern brand identities to create a timeless yet contemporary feel. This rejuvenation of Art Deco reflects a broader cultural desire to reconnect with the glamour and innovation of past eras while infusing that elegance into today’s design landscape.
The resurgence of Art Deco is not about replicating the aesthetics of the past but reimagining them to fit the present. This means that while the key elements—geometric forms, bold lines, and rich colors—remain, they are interpreted in ways that feel fresh and relevant. This duality of old and new creates a visually compelling narrative that appeals to contemporary sensibilities while respecting historical precedents. The result is a sophisticated aesthetic that bridges the gap between modernity and tradition, presenting a refined design language steeped in history yet vibrantly alive today.
Modern Interpretations of Art Deco
Modern interpretations of Art Deco take cues from the bold geometric shapes, rich colors, and lavish ornamentation characteristic of the original movement. This style, which originally emerged in the 1920s and 1930s, has been reimagined in contemporary design through the use of new materials, cutting-edge technology, and a blend of old and new aesthetics. Current designers draw inspiration from the past while adding their unique twist to create fresh and innovative designs that pay homage to the elegance and sophistication of the Art Deco era.
Similarly, Harvest’s supper club branding with its hand-cut logo leans towards Art Deco with a modern, organic twist. Requena Office’s rebrand for Fonda Europa and Pao Bassol’s work for a specialty coffee shop in Switzerland also reflect these historic yet modern typographic influences. This revival doesn’t merely mimic vintage aesthetics; instead, it infuses Art Deco’s bold elegance into modern contexts, creating typefaces with historical roots yet contemporary relevance. This reinterpretation highlights the versatility and timeless beauty of Art Deco, making it a powerful tool for modern designers aiming to evoke sophistication and style.
Each project becomes a dialogue between eras, where the timeless charm of Art Deco informs and elevates contemporary design practices. Designers navigate the balance between historical homage and fresh creativity, resulting in work that feels both nostalgic and forward-thinking. This modern articulation of Art Deco aesthetics invites audiences into a space that transcends time, providing a visual experience that is rich with cultural and artistic significance. The blending of old-world elegance with present-day innovation showcases the enduring influence of Art Deco and its ability to adapt to the ever-changing landscape of graphic design.
Miraculous Movement and Labor-Intensive Animation Techniques
The Resurgence of Analogue Techniques
The resurgence of analogue techniques continues to dominate, especially in the realm of animation. Designers like Alex Khabazzi and Jasmine Foo are undertaking labor-intensive projects such as knitting and crocheting stop-motion animations frame by frame. This art form brings visually static materials into motion, stitch by stitch, resulting in a beautifully unique “twitchy effect,” celebrated for its imperfection and character. The return to traditional, hands-on methods reflects a broader trend in graphic design that values authenticity, craftsmanship, and tactile engagement over digital perfection.
These labor-intensive techniques require immense patience and dedication, resulting in animations that feel deeply personal and imbued with the artist’s touch. By eschewing shortcuts and embracing the time-consuming nature of these methods, designers create works that are as much about the process as the final product. This emphasis on process and imperfection resonates strongly in an age where digital precision can sometimes feel sterile. The “twitchy effect” of these animations becomes a visual signature, offering a tactile, human quality that stands out in a predominantly digital landscape.
Nature-Inspired Laborious Processes
Julia Schimautz and Hiromu Oka further explore this analog resurgence through print-based stop-motion animations, often using time-consuming risograph techniques despite their impracticality. The field also witnesses nature-inspired laborious processes, like Edd Carr’s soil-printed animations and Gabriel Gabriel Garble’s birch leaf scans. These intricate, hands-on creation methods challenge the dominance of high-polish digital animations, favoring a tactile, organic visual appeal. This movement underscores a growing appreciation for the handmade, the imperfect, and the labor-intensive, bringing a refreshing contrast to the polished sheen of digital design.
These artists demonstrate how analog techniques can evoke a sense of wonder and authenticity that automated processes often lack. By embedding their work with elements of the natural world or traditional methods, they reconnect audiences with the physicality of the creation process. This tangible aspect of their work not only adds depth but also fosters a sense of connection between the artist and viewer. The resulting animations, while painstakingly crafted, offer a rich and textured visual experience that digital techniques alone cannot replicate. This return to nature and hands-on methods signals a shift towards more meaningful, engaged, and authentic design practices.
The Library: Dynamic Motion in Graphic Design
Animating Static Assets
The concept of The Library indicates a trend where static assets are animated, mimicking a deck of cards shuffling to bring hidden elements to life momentarily. This technique allows brands to stay visually dynamic and engaging, even in their seemingly static assets. Studios like Two Times Elliott and Acre are pioneering this trend, using dynamic motion libraries to animate brand elements continuously. By incorporating motion into static designs, they breathe new life into brand identities, keeping them fresh and captivating in an ever-changing visual landscape.
This innovative use of motion serves as a powerful storytelling tool, transforming static elements into dynamic narratives that unfold in real-time. The interplay between movement and stillness captures attention and invites viewers into a more interactive and immersive experience. Brands that adopt this approach benefit from increased engagement and a more nuanced visual presence, as the dynamic motion reveals layers of meaning and context that static designs alone cannot convey. This fusion of animation and graphic design redefines brand storytelling, making it more fluid, responsive, and adaptable to contemporary visual communication trends.
Maintaining Brand Agility
Such motion techniques frame the cultural and visual identity of brands like D&AD and Prose, bringing their assets to life in innovative, mobile ways. The interactive behaviors developed for Capture One and TwoMuch’s lecture visuals further validate the trend’s growing popularity. The versatility and ingenuity in motion libraries signal continuous exploration and application in maintaining brand dynamism into 2025. These motion techniques serve not only as a visual enhancement but as a strategic tool for brands to maintain relevance and agility in a fast-paced digital world.
The ability to animate static elements and adapt them to various contexts and platforms ensures that brands can engage audiences in novel and memorable ways. This continuous motion maintains interest and adds an element of surprise, essential for keeping brand narratives dynamic and evolving. The pioneering work of studios like Two Times Elliott and Acre showcases how animation can be seamlessly integrated into graphic design, creating a cohesive yet ever-changing visual language. This trend towards dynamic motion represents a shift towards more interactive and engaging design, where static visuals are no longer confined to being motionless but are ever-evolving entities that entertain, inform, and captivate audiences.
Toad Core: Whimsy and Escapism in Illustration
Whimsical Escapism
A particularly whimsical trend identified in illustration is termed “Toad Core,” characterized by dreamy, escapism-themed visuals. This mood is marked by serene, often mythically inspired illustrations featuring forest pixies, mythical creatures, and quaint scenes akin to cottagecore with a fairy twist. Artists like Anna-Laura Sullivan, Hannah Michelle-Bailey, and Lucian Barbu create tranquil, playful illustrations reflecting nostalgic, cozy, and comfort-centric escapism. In a world marked by fast-paced digital excesses and burnout, this illustrative movement offers a soothing, magical retreat.
Through their work, these artists embrace the enchanting allure of fantasy, using it as a conduit for relaxation and mental escape. The whimsical elements of Toad Core serve as a counterbalance to the chaos and rapid pace of modern life, providing a visual sanctuary for audiences. This trend highlights a growing desire for simplicity and calm, echoing a collective need for spaces—both physical and digital—imbued with peace and harmony. The soft, ethereal quality of Toad Core illustrations creates an enchanting atmosphere, inviting viewers to momentarily step away from their reality and indulge in charming, folkloric worlds.
Nature-Inspired Laborious Processes
This trend is suggested to stem from a collective yearning for simplicity and rest, amplified by recent global shifts towards homely hobbies and slower living habits during the pandemic period. Toad Core’s serene, whimsical escapism might continue to thrive as a visual form of solace and respite in the coming years. This movement is not just a visual style but an emotional response to the frenetic pace of contemporary life, grounded in the desire for a return to simplicity, peace, and nature.
Toad Core offers a therapeutic visual break by connecting to nature-inspired themes and a slower, more contemplative way of living. This artistic inclination supports a broader cultural shift towards mindfulness and well-being, providing not just aesthetic pleasure but also emotional comfort. By celebrating whimsical elements and nature-inspired themes, artists create a peaceful, magical environment that resonates deeply with audiences seeking balance and tranquility. As a result, Toad Core continues to gain traction, capturing the imagination and hearts of those longing for a return to simpler, more enchanting times.
Final Insights: Charting the Road Ahead
The field of graphic design is constantly changing, with new trends emerging and vintage styles resurging. As we cast our eyes towards 2025, it’s clear that several significant trends will be influential in shaping the direction of the industry. These trends are not only about aesthetics but also reflect deeper cultural shifts and innovations in technology. In this article, we’ll explore these trends in detail, examining their subtleties and spotlighting the trailblazers who are setting the pace for the future.
One significant trend is the rise of minimalism paired with bold typography. Designers are increasingly favoring clean, uncluttered layouts that highlight powerful fonts, focusing on clarity and directness. This approach speaks to a modern audience that values simplicity and impact. Another trend gaining traction is the use of vibrant, gradient color schemes. These eye-catching hues are designed to create a dynamic and engaging visual experience, responding to an audience that craves excitement and energy in their visual media.
Sustainability is another potent influence on design trends. With growing awareness of environmental issues, designers are adopting eco-friendly materials and techniques, prioritizing sustainability without compromising on creativity. This shift is emblematic of a broader societal move towards valuing the planet and reducing waste.
Additionally, advances in technology, including augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR), are starting to permeate the design world. These technologies are opening up new possibilities for interactive and immersive designs, offering consumers unique experiences that were previously unimaginable.
The year 2025 will undoubtedly see these and other trends continue to evolve, driven by innovation and the ongoing dialogue between designers and their audience.