We’ve moved a quarter into 2018, and we know you’ve been waiting for this list. So, without any more delay, here are the 8 design trends we believe would have a great impact on the coming year.
GRADIENTS
Not so long ago, gradients were a hot favourite trend. Then, sometime around late 2007 they got sidelined. Gradients are making their modern-day comeback as a flat design enhancement. Their reappearance in iOS and adoption by industry leaders like Stripe and Instagram have solidified their popularity once again, and we can witness them in the form of vibrant UI, branding, backgrounds, illustrations and overlays.
DASHING DUOTONES
Duotone is a halftone reproduction of an image using the superimposition of one contrasting Colour Halftone over another colour halftone. Spotify has been remarkable in their use of duotone images in the app and micro-sites. Designers caught on this technique soon. While images are created within a limited colour palette, it compliments the semi flat form of design. With Bold colours and vibrant possibilities of application, its going to be a trend to watch out for in 2018.
70s/80s STYLE PACKAGING
The swinging 70s are back. Look forward to a throwback to the vibrant era through colours and fonts. Designs that are a heady mix of flower power and modernistic. In essence, anything but mundane.
MODERN STILL LIFE
Akin with the trend of real photography, modern still life is an intriguing style to look out for. A fascinating mix of solid 3D objects – geometrical, abstract, or shot and then retouched create a great way to present products. These are often combined with illustrations and bold typeface fonts. It’s an effective way of catching the attention of todays scroll-happy customers. This style culminates from the ultimate collaboration between photographer and designer.
HAND-DRAWN ELEMENTS CONTINUE
Illustrations , doodles, free-hand writing are still ready to woo customers in 2018.
The reason behind this is the need for more authentic images which will also influence icons and graphics. This also adds a personal or fun element back into designs and content work, something which can’t be achieved through off-the-shelf icons or graphics.
ONE COLOUR 3D DESIGNS
3D modelling is the new frontier of graphic design, something which has been seen frequently in type design and in pattern generation. Herein, a trend to vouch for would be One-colour 3D design which is fast growing in popularity. More and more brands have been using bold background colours highlighting the product itself though 3D modelling. When the product leaps off the screen thanks to the volume created by the 3D techniques, it is sure to catch the customers’ attention.
HYPER DESIGN DISTILLATION
Brands are striving to streamline their core assets, but looking to pack more meaning and distinctiveness into each element. Often this starts with the name. What this achieves, is to simplify the brand / product for its customer. Naturally, it also means means scalable, digital first symbols packed with meaning – think YouTube or F1, where an entire brand can be distilled into an app tile or a profile picture.
BRUTALISM
Back in the day, brutalism was an ugly necessity. Currently, it’s a way to stand out and rebel against the squeaky-clean designs that cover the web. Yet another quirky design trend to watch out for in 2018!
Which design trends do you see being most useful in 2018? Tell us in comments below.
