Graphic design is much like fashion; it changes in a very short period, and if you don’t keep up, you might find yourself in last year’s socks and this year’s sandals. So, to be at the top in this creative field, one needs to be updated about graphic design trends. So here, have your favorite drink, sit back, and let us surf into the land of graphic design trends.
Understanding Graphic Design Trends
To remain updated with graphic design trends, it’s essential to know what trends are. Graphic design trends mean the patterns, colors, styles and techniques which gain popularity over a period. Think of it like how bell-bottom jeans were all the rage in the 70s but not so much now.
The Nature of Graphic Design Trends
Trends in graphic design are a product of everything: technological developments, cultural turns, and even economic changes. For instance, look at how minimalism in design came about. It was simply a product of our fast-paced digital lives, when simplicity became very welcome. Trends may remain for a short period or evolve into timeless styles. Knowledge of trends thus means the ability to know what is current and likely to become a classic.
Examples of Graphic Design Trends
Take the case of bold typography, for instance. Couple of years ago, thin and sleek fonts were the trend. Now, everywhere, you have thick, eye-catching letters. Why? Because they grab attention in this cluttered digital world. Another one would be the case of muted color palettes, which picked up during the pandemic when soothing visuals had a huge demand.
The Pros of Following Trends
Following trends in graphic design can benefit in several ways, most importantly, it will keep your work fresh and current. Clients will forever seek designs that ring with the current zeitgeist. Keeping yourself updated on the latest graphic design trends will ensure that your work appeals to the modern audience.
Second, it opens up new avenues for creativity. Trends force you to try out different techniques and new ideas that can keep you from getting stale. Finally, it aids in marketing your services. It makes you stand out as a designer who is aware of the latest trend in town, thus bringing more customers into your fold.
How to Stay Updated with Graphic Design Trends
Keeping up on graphic design trends is not just about skimming through Pinterest every so often. It means to be proactive. Here are a few strategies to keep your design game strong.
Follow Industry Leaders and Influencers
Following the industry leaders and influencers will undoubtedly keep one abreast of changes in graphic design. Industry leaders and top influencers either set new trends or simply follow new ones fast. Tracking their activities gives you a feel for what’s hot and what’s not.
Pros of Following Industry Leaders
There are some real benefits to following industry leaders. For one, you will get a constant flow of inspiration. Many designers, like Paula Scher and David Carson, share their latest projects, which may trigger new ideas in your own work. In addition, most of the industry leaders explain the idea behind their designs, creating learning situations. It is like having a mentor whom you can learn from just by watching their work.
Examples and Costs
For instance, if you followed a designer like Jessica Walsh on social media, you would be having the first-row seat to the most recent trends. She usually shares behind-the-scenes peeks at her design process, which could turn out to be quite revealing. Although the cost of following somebody on social media is literally zero, think of subscribing to design journals or platforms such as Adobe Live, where the pros share their insights. Well, that is between $10 to $30 a month, depending on the subscription—well worth it for the knowledge.
Engage in Online Communities
A second great avenue to learn about trends in graphic design is in online communities. Behance and Dribbble, or even online design communities like Reddit’s design communities, are full of designers who share their latest and greatest work. By being part of such communities, you get to see several styles and trends in action and in real-time.
Pros of Engaging in Online Communities
Online communities offer a lot of advantages. First of all, it gives you a platform for feedback and critique. The more you share your work and get feedback, the more you can continuously improve and keep up with the trends. Secondly, many of these communities include discussions about emerging trends and techniques that keep you up-to-date on industry developments. Lastly, there are the networking benefits. To be able to connect with other designers may mean a potential collaboration or other new opportunity.
Examples and Costs
Take Behance, for example. It’s a hub of projects where designers go to share their newest work. You can find an indication of what styles are trending simply by following popular projects. You’ll also find some great discussions and tips in forums like Reddit’s r/graphic_design. Online communities are mostly free of charge to join, whereupon one could upgrade to premium memberships. For example, Behance offers a Pro membership that includes portfolio reviews and some additional resources for about $15 a month.
Attend Workshops and Webinars
Workshops and webinars detail the update on graphic design. These workshops usually mean that there is always somebody who shares his knowledge and ideas about the trends around.
Merits of Attending Workshops and Webinars
These workshops and webinars have a number of advantages. First, you have access to the expert knowledge firsthand. Usually, they are held by experienced professionals who know your industry inside and out. Secondly, they allow for hands-on learning opportunities. Particularly, workshops let you exercise new techniques under the supervision of an expert. And lastly, they provide networking opportunities. Meetings among other designers could yield collaboration and new projects.
Examples and Costs
One such prominent conference is Adobe MAX. Workshops and seminars like these give insight into the most up-to-date trends in design. Those are really very knowledge- and inspiration-enriching. The cost of the conferences may differ a lot. For example, an all-access pass for attending Adobe MAX will cost something like $1,500. Webinars, however, would be quite cheap in comparison. Many sites offer webinars for free while some others will require a nominal fee of probably between $20 to $100.
Keep up with design magazines and blogs
Staying updated with the trends of graphic design is quite easy, and you can achieve this by subscribing to design magazines and blogs. These design magazines feature articles on the latest trends, interviews from the industry leaders, and ingenuity showcases.
Advantages of Subscription to Design Magazines and Blogs
There are several advantages to subscribing to design magazines and design blogs. The first includes the fact that information comes in a continuous flow. Regular updates keep one abreast of what is happening in the world of design. Secondly, these publications often contain in-depth analyses of trends, which allow one to understand the thinking behind them. Thirdly, they serve as a source of inspiration. The work of other designers can act as a trigger for new ideas in your own projects.
Examples and Costs
For example, keeping up with “Communication Arts” or “Smashing Magazine” will help to be aware of the top trends. In these magazines, there are really long, in-depth articles and great interviews from the biggest and well-known designers in the industry. Subscriptions may be received at different prices: a yearly subscription for “Communication Arts” would cost around $60, and “Smashing Magazine” will take about $7 for a monthly subscription.
Experiment and Practice
In graphic design, one needs to experiment and practice new techniques that come up. In this way, the designer stays sharp by constantly upgrading the skills that come in handy in keeping the work relevant.
Advantages of Experimenting and Practicing
Experimenting and practicing have several advantages. It firstly keeps you up-to-date with regard to your skills. Very often, trends involve new techniques, and training in these techniques makes you able to include them in your job. Secondly, it enhances creativity. Experimenting in different styles and ways to do things can bring really unique designs. Last but not least, it builds confidence. The more you practice, the easier it becomes to work with new trends and techniques.
Examples and Costs
For example, if it’s something in bold typography, make a lot of designs that feature that trend. In applications like Adobe Illustrator or Adobe Photoshop, create this habit. Ample practice largely goes into time and sweat; however, using quality software is also paramount. Something like Adobe Creative Cloud offers this suite of design tools for about $52 a month.
Harness Social Media
Social media platforms will help in updating the trends in the field of graphic design. From Instagram to Pinterest and Twitter, each is full of designers’ posts about the latest work and ideas.
Advantages of Social Media End
The uses of social media are many. First of all, it provides real-time updates. Keeping up with design hashtags or accounts keeps you current on subjects that interest you. Second, it provides a platform for engagement. You can comment, share the work of others, and often have a discussion about it that can turn up new insights. Finally, it’s a source of inspiration. Getting to see the work of designers around the world can sometimes spark new ideas in your own projects.
Examples and Costs
For example, just following some of the hashtags dealing with your trade or niche, like #graphicdesign or #designtrends, on Instagram will keep you flowing with new ideas always at your fingers. Some Pinterest boards by leading designers will offer visual inspiration to you. While in most cases, social media is free, its enhancement tools like Hootsuite will cost approximately $19 a month to be able to keep all your social media in one place and further optimize it.
Staying updated on the trends of graphic design in such a dynamic industry is critical. You can do this through following industry leaders and joining online communities about design. Attend workshops, subscribe to design publications, and practice new techniques from them. Be sure to use social media to stay sharp with skills and keep up relevant work. Most importantly, be curious and proactive. A world of possibilities in graphic design—staying updated keeps you at the top of your creativity. Stay current with graphic design trends and never stop stretching your creativity.
