With less than 2 months left for 2017 to come to an end, discussions are warming up amongst the graphic designers about the graphic design trends that will rule 2018. The year 2017 saw the graphic designers going the extra mile to show their dynamism and readiness by following bold trends like modern retro, bold & authentic photography, shared space typography, duotone, and asymmetrical design. Now the question is, ‘Will these trends still reign supreme in 2018 or will there be new trends taking over the existing ones?’
Well, we all know that graphic design trends can evaporate as quickly as they emerge in the digital world. So, it should not come as a surprise for the graphic designers to see the top trend of this year becoming completely outdated in 2018. To gear up for 2018, it’s important that the graphic designers be hawkish about the upcoming changes in the design trends. Let’s not waste a minute more and unveil the list of 5 graphic design trends expected to rule 2018.
- Hyper Minimalism
There is no denying that minimalism has been a favorite of the graphic designers for the past one year. This trend made a comeback in the mid of 2016 and has continued to rule the graphic design industry ever since. However, in 2018, minimalism would take a stronger route and give birth to hyper minimalism. The palette would be restricted and strong in this design while the images would stand out to show the daring of the designers.
The background will become even dense and let the content speak for itself. The menus and other layers would be removed from the design and all that would be left would be raw colors with a customized imagery and pop-out typography element.
- Negative Space
Negative space was a welcome addendum to the graphics last year and will stay dominant in the portfolio of graphic designers even in 2018. Negative space can easily draw the attention of the user to a particular content and would be used to evoke powerful positive emotions in the viewers. The empty space in the design will start taking a stronger and distinctive shape to give away the brand message.
Not just negative space designs, even negative space typography would be used by a number of graphic designers in 2018. In fact, this would also be one of the best web design trends to be seen in the coming year. Negative space design and typography ensures zero distraction while giving a deeper and double meaning to the entire graphic design.
- Cinemagraphs & GIFs
The moving visuals like cinemagraphs or GIFs have taken the internet by storm and will continue to do so in 2018 as well. Cinemagraphs are so alluring that Facebook ads with cinemagraph images received a 60% higher click rate as compared to the bland and dull static ads. Cinemagraphs have subtle movements in their subjects to give the illusion of animation. GIFs, on the other hand, are a series of imaged used together to form a looping video.
Unlike video content, cinemagraphs and GIFs are more subtle in motion but still grab the eyeball of the users instantly. Both of these visual effects would be a strong part of the graphic design trend in 2018.
- Bold, Bright & Popping Colors
Bold colors were the ruling web design trend followed by most of the online business in 2017. And this trend would continue to rule even in 2018. Bold, bright, and popping colors would continue to stand out in graphic design and keep grasping the fancy of the online visitors. Brand-centric and contrasting color combinations would be the center of attention of the graphic designers who would choose bright and popping colors from the rainbow-palette to create mesmerizing graphics.
Moreover, the color transition would also continue to rule in the graphic design world and give a visual treat to the visitors. Instagram initiated this color transition design in its logo in 2016 and gradually many businesses incorporated gradient and color transition. We’re sure this would take a bigger form in 2018.
- Geometric Design
The geometric design trend took off in 2016 and became stronger in 2017 and it will continue to rule in the coming year as well. Different geometric shapes like diamonds, circles, triangles, hexagons, rectangles or other layered shapes, multiple colors and various combinations of these shapes will be used by graphic designers to create unique and popping out design. Geometric shapes look classy and clean and even offer a very impressive and eye-pleasing design composition.
Bright colors and bold typography using digital paintbrush can be combined together to create a masterpiece graphic design. More nature-inspired geometric patterns like marbles, plants, stones, gems etc., might be a major inspiration for the geometric designs in 2018.
Graphic designing is indeed a highly creative and challenging task; hence, staying tuned in with the ever-changing trends become indispensable. Although, keeping a balance between the changing trends and the unvarying basics is also imperative. Try the different design trends and elements together and keep testing them to achieve the design that works best. The graphic design trends covered in the above list might not be exhaustive of all the design trends, but they certainly are the major ones that are expected to rule in 2018.
