Digital design technology has made it easier for almost all aspects of the field. The majority of designers today work on digital technology as it allows them to produce work with extreme accuracy. It also allows them to more quickly complete their projects compared to the days without electronic resources. Considering that technology develops in a matter of weeks or even days, however, brands will need to continue adapting to radical changes in digital technology and related design. Below, we take a look at some of the design trends predicted for 2020.
Gradients, or color transitions, are continuing to trend. Gradient color effect in images with duotones started capturing audience attention a few years ago because they are so eye-catching. The gradual shift of one color into another provides depth to flat design while injecting some retro-futuristic 1980s flair. We are seeing anything from images in straight two-color division all the way to seamless changeovers from one color to the next. The energy of these vibrant color transitions can help elevate any design and make them stand out from other content. As we move towards 2020, expect to see graphic designers experimenting even more in their attempts to produce something truly unique and creative. Instagram’s latest logo is an excellent example if you consider the difference in attention-grabbing ability the new logo has when compared to the duller, brown in the original logo.
In years past, behemoths like Apple and Samsung sported dull colors prompting other brands to follow suit. This oversaturated the digital market with dull-colored logos, mobile layouts, and webpages. Recently, bright and contrasted colors have been used in graphics of branding, user interface, and package design. Strong color combinations are drawing audiences’ attention more quickly than flat colors of old which means we’ll see the color them trend continue to move bright, dark, and vibrant colors. We’ll also see that black with different tones will gain more popularity in 2020 than dark green or blue.
To apply this trend properly, balance is key. You can make bright colors work to your advantage with the use of generous amounts of whitespaces and by sticking to a limited palette of colors. You should keep the hierarchy of information in mind and avoid using bright colors behind the main message or text in a graphic.
An asymmetrical layout can make graphics stand out in a world of perfectly balanced designs. Overlapping, unaligned, or un-balanced design elements demand a reader’s attention and create an unexpected effect. That being said, asymmetrical layouts can be a challenge that some of your audience might not accept. A balance of structured and asymmetrical elements will help keep information from getting lost. We’ll see continued use of asymmetry but predict it will be built on some basic alignment that allow the balance and chaos to complement one another.
A mix-and-match approach to font combinations has become more widespread on websites and in social media. Think chalkboard style presentation as is often used by Starbucks. It can be tough to combine different fonts and effort should be made to pick fonts that work well together so that the various typefaces blend together to create a visually dynamic whole.
Retro design is, yet again, having a moment. Strong typography, minimalism, and modular layouts are appearing everywhere. As a culture, we have an affinity for things of the past. Older brands have a purity that projects a certain level of honesty and genuineness. While vintage and retro styles will continue to be popular, we’ll most likely see a shift towards more recent decades.
When Kodak (established in 1888) rebranded, they did so by moving in an unexpected direction. They returned to the original red K symbol against a warm yellow backdrop. The new twist is that the letters run vertically rather than horizontally as in the logo of old. From postmodern Saul Bass style stocky shape language to the simple and clean design style of the early 1930s, vintage typefaces and layouts will be a popular go-to in 2020.
Kinetic design involves the aesthetic design of physical movement. Through this practice, designers not only create forms but also choreograph those forms’ movements. Kinetic Design can be achieved in a literal sense with videos and interactivity. It can also be produced via a simpler static visual manner with dynamic patterns, organic shapes, and text on paths that lead the reader to a more whimsical experience.
When animations were first introduced to digital design, they took a considerable toll on the website speed. As technology has advanced, that issue is no longer a concern and many companies are incorporating simple yet attractive animation into their design scheme. Something like three dimensionally moving text over a fixed image conveys a new impression and offers more interactive options for designers. These graphics are mainly shared through SNS in forms of short looping video.
An excellent example of a brand jumping into kinetic design with both feet is the website design company, Squarespace, rebranding done by DIA Studio. Click HERE to see!
Wrap Up
Design can help us interpret and understand the world around us. As design trends are applied in new and exciting ways, they also help us keep us with the times as things perpetually change. Whether you are a designer or working with one, staying on top of the latest trends is key.
The experts at Strategy Driven Marketing have extensive experience in graphic design as well as in the development and creation of engaging websites for organizations of all sizes and across a number of industries. We would love to learn more about your business so we can help you maximize your revenue potential. Whether it is a logo design, website, point of purchase graphics, or whatever your digital design needs entail, contact us today to learn more about our services and how we can help you present your brand as a top-notch competitor in your industry. Let’s get started!
Cover photo by Kaboompics .com from Pexels