Trends – for anything – can be full of surprises and unpredictable. However, one thing that is for sure to happen with trends is that; it changes!

The same concept applies to the field of graphic design, and that’s why we are here today to discuss (and predict) popular and interesting graphic design trends for 2021.

Now, graphic design, as we all know, is all about the way businesses use colors, text, illustrations, icons, etc. to market themselves and attempt to make a solid brand name.

It is, therefore, important that you understand what to expect in the future with regard to the kind of designs that would work; and those which won’t.

So, let’s dig in and see what the future holds for us with these astonishing predictions of graphic design trends for 2021.

Note: Since this year has been rather unproductive for almost every industry player (especially tourism and hospitality), design pundits have this belief that a lot of trends that were to thrive in 2020 didn’t really saw the light of the day, and that’s why they’d remain alive to reach their actual potential in 2021. These predictions, therefore, includes a lot of graphic design trends for 2020 as well.

Fusion of realism and flat design

When you think of some of the most unconventional combinations of design styles, techniques, and dimensions, the fusion of realism and flat designs certainly make it to the list. 

Adding real-life objects to custom graphic designs for your business helps make the designs look authentic, genuine, and relatable. Flat designs, on the other hand, may not be as real as realism designs, but their simplistic appearance balances the spectrum of the overall design. 

Experienced and professional graphic designers understand how this combination of flat visual elements with real-life objects can capture the viewer’s attention. 

This graphic design trend is ideally perfect for fashion websites and editorial photography and, looking at its enormous progress in the last few years, it won’t be long before it creeps to the mainstream advertisements.

Colorful Minimalism

The last decade saw an overwhelming use of minimalistic designs, especially, on digital platforms. Be it for website designs, logo designs, social media page/post designs, etc.

However, with the beginning of this new decade, professional designers are now taking the minimalistic design patterns to a new dimension.

Today, the world loves the new minimalism where artists blend two designs with only the components that make sense. Modern designers can be seen blending the intricate designs with a hint of traditional minimalism.

Such designs are carefully treaded on the fine lines between complexity and dullness, without breaking the main principles of modern minimalism.

Simple and personalized fonts

One of the basic principles of graphic design is using legible fonts in the designs, in order to ensure clarity in brand messaging. After all, if the message that you want to communicate to your target audience is not clear, how do you expect them to relate with your brand? 

Some of the most famous brands such as Apple, Google, Debenhams, and Airbnb have already utilized this design trend and, a lot of others are now understanding its impact. 

Creating and using custom typefaces for your business designs can be a real game-changer in the coming days, especially, to establish that unique brand identity; distinguishing from the competition.

Check out these 50 Fresh and High-Quality Fonts for Your Graphic Designs

3D rendering

Rendering 3D technology in graphic design has been a work in progress for a while now. 

However, the same has seen substantial progress in the last couple of years and is expected to rise in popularity even more in the coming years. 

Thanks to the extraordinary advancements in modern technology, as well as software capabilities, the use of 3D graphic design compositions are here to stay for a long time. 

Approaching organic look and feel

Alright! Yes! The touch of organic and nature in graphic design is not a new trend to be seen in the coming years. It has been in practice, especially, in packaging designs for a while now. We agree! 

But, the fact that this is one of those graphic design trends that are only going to see new zenith in the coming years is something worth taking note of.

Given the increasing empathy for the deteriorating nature and the unpredictability of global phenomenon, brands are expected to adapt more to this design composition; and not just for their product packaging or custom label designs. 

Animation sequences for storytelling

The application of motion graphics and animation is one of the key graphic design trends for 2021 to look out for. 

A lot of seasoned graphic design experts believe that there is going to be a substantial shift of interest towards meaningful motion art; motion with intent.

A hint of such a transition has already been seen in some designs which have made use of a combination of 2D and 3D motion, and cinematography.

To conclude…

So with this, we come to the end of our first part of 12 popular graphic design trends for 2021. Soon, we’ll be sharing the second part of this series. So, stay tuned and keep being creative! 

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