Top 10 Graphic Design Trends of 2022

2022 arrived with a host of challenges and opportunities for the creative industry. This has given graphic designers and hobbyists more room to explore their creativity. This year has come in hot, and it is here to shatter the conventional trends in the industry. The floodgates are now open, bringing with them a mix of inclusiveness, nostalgia, and boldness. Without further ado, let’s see what the graphic design trends of 2022 have in store for us!

10 Graphic Design Trends to Seek Inspiration From

We’ve put together ten amazing graphic trends that have been ruling the roost. 

1. 2D-3D remix

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This trend is a mashup of 2D and 3D designs. The 3D design trend continues to mark its presence in the industry, not showing any signs of dying down. So it’s only fitting that 2022 is the year for an effective collaboration of 2D and 3D designs. This trend is adaptable to all formats, right from animation and illustration to website design, app design, and typography. 

The 2D-3D mixture has been the topic of discussion in the design world of late, and rightly so. It provides an endless scope for creativity and experimentation. 

2. Typography with a twist

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Have you seen something that is so perfectly imperfect that it starts looking beautiful to your eyes? Yes, that’s exactly how fonts are in 2022. It’s typography with a twist, if you will. You may ask, “What exactly is the twist, though?” Well, it’s anything that breaks the rules: think a single letter that might be smaller than all the others in a word, or one that’s upside down, but still manages to look a part of the whole. This is what we call a genius way to capture attention and reveal a strong message. 

PS: if this reminds you of the Squid Game intro, then we’re on the same page. 

3. Use of crystals

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The graphic design industry has shifted from mimicking gold to mimicking crystals and glass, giving it a hint of crafted realism in 3D. This has made everyday items feel special because of that added oomph. Not to mention, crystals are increasingly being associated with a hip, bohemian way of life. This design seamlessly complements holographic and 3D trends, and can be adopted by peppy, quirky brands. 

4. Candy colors 

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In the digital space, we’re always bombarded with content from everywhere, so it gets tricky for designers to curate content that will potentially stand out from the crowd. This is where visually appealing designs play a crucial role. Skilled professionals in the field have a good eye for colors. 

We’re here to tell you that pops of candy colors can do wonders if you want to stand out from the crowd, yet remain subtle in your design. Candy colors are quite versatile, in that they can be used in web design, illustration, and everything in between. 

5. Holographic patterns

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Say hola to holo! A hologram is basically a diffraction of light, and the concept has acquired the design spotlight of late. It has climbed the ropes to being the top graphic design trend of the year. Holographic designs are everywhere, right from stationery to shoes and bags. It has its grip over basic everyday items, so it’s no surprise that it’s reached website and animation design as well. It’s also making its way towards apps and logos. 

6. Branded memes

What better way to convey your message to the audience than memes? Everyone loves memes, or at least, they love to hate them. Either way, it’s almost impossible to avoid them. Viral memes may have a short lifespan, but they have a huge impact even for the few hours they’re on the internet. 

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The visuals in your branded memes should be simple yet effective, because you don’t want to post a meme that is so complicated that the joke is lost. The best memes will say a lot without any context. It doesn’t have to make complete sense: if it gets a good laugh out of your viewers (without being offensive to anyone), then consider the job done. 

The 2022 Winter Olympics made for great meme content for brands! In short, branded memes are a fun way to lighten up the mood and boost interaction. 

7. Bold backgrounds

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The choice of colors for backgrounds has moved past muted, single-color tones to bold and brighter colors in 2022. These colors help the visuals stand out. Brands like Spotify are already nailing bold backgrounds. Light colored text on bold backgrounds naturally wins hearts (and clicks!) It immediately makes you want to click away and find out more. 

8. Colorful illustrations

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Illustrations are on top of the design and marketing roulette. They convey messages within a glance and are universally accepted. It’s not new for brands to pair bold backgrounds with illustrations in their branding messages. But this time around, illustrations have taken on a more vivacious feel. Most illustrations cater to global audiences, as they don’t require any text. Use them for your social media posts, as part of an infographic, or as supporting visuals for banner ads: with illustrations, the possibilities are limitless. 

9. Stylized quotes

Motivational quotes from marketing gurus, fitness coaches, and business tycoons were all the rage a few years ago. This trend has managed to make a wild entrance again in 2022. We’re seeing quotes make a comeback, but there’s a striking difference now. It’s not the same motivational reminders like we saw back in 2018. Now, they serve a more educational purpose. 

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Marketers have been using quotes for storytelling purposes as well. Using pull quotes, for instance, better supports your story. Moreover, they make an important element of social proof. You can pick select sentences from a client testimonial and turn them into a quote. However, for the quote to be effective, it needs to be highlighted well, which is where graphic design comes into the picture. Make sure you use engaging visuals to accentuate the quote. 

10. Psychedelic designs 

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This immortal trend has made a comeback with the rise of a new internet culture. The distorted psychedelic aesthetics back in the 1970s had changed how we perceived design. This art form was pioneered by Wes Wilson, a leading designer of psychedelic posters. In 2022, this graphic trend has again been quick to pick up. Mentioned above is an example of psychedelic design used in a poster. 

The above-mentioned graphic design trends are definitely what you should keep an eye out for! To sum it up, designers will be using bolder colors and patterns, and vibrant typography. In order to diversify their design services, designers are expected to get more experimentative and treat the design landscape as their playground.

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