A year is a long time in the graphic design world. Some styles come and go while others evolve over time. Tried and true methods make way for new technologies, and what was popular a decade ago can look dated today.
So, what does the future hold for graphic design? To get you ready for the new year, we’ve gathered out some of the best and boldest graphic design trends in 2023.
Looking for 2024 trends? Check out the biggest graphic design trends of 2024.
Graphic Design Trends 2023
Here are 15 graphic design trends to watch out for in 2023.
1. Expressive typography
Typography is one of the most important elements of graphic design. While text is primarily used to convey a message, designers are pushing the limits on how far they can go to put some extra character into those letterforms.
Source: Typemate
In 2023, accessible font creation software like Glyphs, means anyone can create their own font with ease. This has resulted in an influx of “rule-breaking” fonts to choose from. Whether you’re looking for a font to add some personality to your designs or want to make a statement, there’s sure to be a quirky font that fits the bill.
Source (left to right): Jacob Etter, Tina Smith, Patkos, Mick Bailey
If you're diving into font creation of your own, check out our blog on outlining fonts for print.
Source: Antonio Calvino
2. 3D design
3D artwork software has come a long way in recent years. Tools like Cinema 4D and even the latest updates from Adobe are making it possible to dip your toes into the 3D world and start making your own three-dimensional artwork. And while it was all about realistic proportions last year, artists pushing the boundaries of what’s possible with 3D design.
Keep in mind, though, that 3D design doesn’t have to be limited to digital artwork. You can also use it for product design, architecture and even illustrations (think papercraft). Using a 3D character for your team instead of the standard snapped portraits? Why not? Turn a specific phrase into 3D instead of typing it in Arial? Absolutely!
Source: Victoria Arseni, Amir Baqian
No matter what your field, there’s likely a way you can incorporate 3D art into your work.
Source: Eslam Mhd
3. Custom type
Hand lettering and custom fonts have been around for a long time, but we're now seeing more and more big brands using them in their designs. By adjusting existing letters or creating new fonts from scratch, hand-lettering can add a unique flair to your design work and give your branding efforts a real boost in creativity and character.
Source: Dingbat Co.
So whenever you’re creating a new type lockup, wordmark, or anything type related, think of any adjustments you can make to make it a “one of a kind” piece.
Source: Ale Hernández, Anuki Koniashvili, Amy Hood, VASK Studio
While some of the most popular fonts in graphic design are almost forbidden to play with and customize them to your needs, fonts are there to work along with your design. So, feel free to customize them wherever and however you like.
Source: Seth Ellenwood, Wells Collins
4. Minimal vintage
Many of us are guilty of longing for the "good old days" when it comes to music, fashion, and design. Not only does it remind us of certain happy times in our life, but there is also a widespread belief that artists and designers poured more heart and soul into their work “back then”. The vintage design style hearkens back to a simpler time when everything was made by hand with an eye for detail.
Source: Beth Mathews (1, 2), Aleksander Savic, Shane Harris, Sample Co.
While the minimalism trend has been around for a few years now, the vintage minimalism sub-trend is starting to gain some traction. This hybrid approach combines the best of both worlds by stripping away unnecessary elements and leaving only the essentials. The result is a clean, sophisticated, and timeless design.
Source: Ben Howes
5. Branded illustrations
While brand illustrations got a big boost after brands like Dropbox and Mailchimp invested in their own styled brand illustrations, they’re gaining popularity for smaller brands as well.
Source: Hueso Studio
When it’s done right, these branded illustration styles are so original and unique that they can quickly become synonymous with the brands themselves–even when separated from the logo. Google, for example, leverages this design style in its famous "Google Doodles".
Source: Angelica McKinley
Even personal brands are now using tailor-made illustrations and icons to empower their brand and create their own unique look and feel.
Source: Fabrizio Morra, Sebastian Abboud, The Good Brothers Pizzeria & Bar, Hueso Studio, Lucas Wakamatsu
6. Foil printing
One of the biggest graphic design trends for 2023 is foil printing. While gradients have been making a comeback in recent years, foils offer a unique way to add that extra bit of luxury and style to your print materials. For brands, foil printing can help add a touch of class and sophistication to products.
Source: Billy French
There are practically limitless possibilities for how to use foil, and our custom foil business cards exemplify that. For instance, you can go full gold to give a product an air of sophistication or you could use multi-colored foil to make it appear more futuristic.
Source: The Branding People, Magic Spoon, Mark Johnston, Crude, Tessa Portuese
7. Prominent photography
Photography is a big part of design, both online and offline. It's important to use photography that fits the message you're trying to communicate. In the past, this has often meant using stock photos that are flat and lifeless. But now, more and more designers are using their own original photography or finding creative ways to use existing photos.
Source: Studio Badal Patel
This could be anything from a full-page photo in a magazine to a hero image on a website. And it’s not just product photos that are being used more, but also photos of people, nature, and other things that can help tell a story or evoke an emotion.
Source: Kate Zest Studio, Marko Cvijetic, By &Walsh, By Pentagram
This trend is only going to continue in the next few years as businesses try to stand out from the competition. We can expect to see more innovative uses of photography, including 3D images, interactive elements, and even AR and VR.
Source: Compagnie et Cie
8. Motion
Static imagery was the logical way to advertise outdoors for many years. But, making it ‘move’ was considered something magical.
Source: Holographik
Today, advancements in design technology have made it possible to create high-quality, moving images that can be used for both indoor and outdoor advertising. Now you can see small billboards at bus stops, outside of a mall, or randomly placed in a city square. Brands don’t need a million-dollar budget anymore to show their brand in motion. And, in doing so, are creating new layers of depth for consumers.
Source: Jeroen Krielaars , Mat Voyce, Elen Winata, Ramy Wafaa
When Mitch Paone, partner and creative director at DIA Studio got the question: “Why is motion so important anyway?”’ He responded, “On a superficial level, a static image can't compete with a looping GIF. On a deeper level, movement creates identity, just like how we can identify a salsa dancer versus a hip-hop dancer. The dancer could be the same, but their motion tells the story.”
Source: Alec's Ice Cream
9. Brutalism
Brutalism in design is characterized by its rawness and unfinished look. It’s often seen as harsh or even cold, but can also be viewed as strong and powerful. This design style is inspired by the architectural movement of the same name and shares many of the same characteristics, such as an emphasis on functionality and plainness.
Source: Àlex Gobern
In recent years, brutalism has been making a comeback in the world of web design. Many designers are drawn to its raw aesthetic, which can be used to create unique and memorable sites. Think of brutalism as a crossover of Utilitarian Design and Y2K – it’s quite niche and won’t be liked by everyone. But if you’re looking to make a bold statement with your design, this could be the style for you.
Source: Filip Legierski, Mitya Andrievskiy, MiksKS, Àlex Gobern, Hanna Bai
While brutalism may not be for everyone, it’s definitely a design trend for 2023 that you’ll be seeing more of.
10. Utilitarian design
Utilitarian design is all about functionality. This design trend is gaining popularity as we move into an increasingly digital world. With so much of our lives taking place online, it’s important for websites and apps to be easy to use and navigate.
Source: Novo.co
Utilitarian design is focused on simplifying user experience by removing unnecessary elements. This can be achieved through minimalism, clear navigation, and easy-to-understand content.
Source: Philippa Vernals
Designing something in this style immediately creates a certain solidness and trust in the quality. Elements are recognizable elements used by vehicles, tools, and manuals. While it’s not comparable with skeuomorphism, it certainly has some similarities as it’s translating the product to another medium by using the same elements.
Source: Halo Lab, Marko Cvijvetic (1, 2), Younique
11. Flat Design
Flat design is all about leaving things out and keeping it simple or as they say, flat. This often means minimal shadows, gradients and 3D effects. In other words: drop all the bells and whistles and just focus on delivering a clear message.
Source: The Noc Design
Flat design is especially popular within the tech industry as it allows for a streamlined and efficient design. Plus, with minimal design elements, websites are able to load faster and resize easily – without losing any quality on high-definition screens.
Source: Awwwards
When we’re talking about illustrations or character design, using flat design will give the freedom to break the rules on anatomy and “how things should look”’ while leaving out tons of shadows, small details and any additional effect that gives it more dimension. Like the name itself, keep it flat. Keep it simple.
Source: Bahareh Okhravi, Meghdeep Sarkar, Camila Barbieri, Anna Żołnierowicz
12. Serifs
While not technically a visual style on its own, serifed fonts have taken centre stage in the graphic design trends of 2023. After big brands like Mailchimp and Chobani paved the way for the Serif to make its comeback, many more brands and designers have followed.
Source: Focus Lab
This shift could be seen as a solid response to all the sans-serifs that became the go-to decision for many brands in the past. It even became a meme of all the brands that “lost” their identity and gave in to the trend that was called the sans-serif.
Source: StudioPaack
Serif typefaces surely give a specific kind of vibe to a design. Give it a fun and approachable look with a rounded serif like Cooper, or go for the more serious and high-end look with a hairline serif like Argesta.
Source: Marko Cvijetic, Halo Lab, Tomasz Mazurczak, Sam Thompson, Clay
13. Bold Minimalism
Bold minimalism is an industrial design style characterized by clean, simple lines and shapes. The focus is on functionality, so decorations are kept to a minimum. Generally, bold minimalism takes one of two approaches: Either everything is pared down to the essentials, or a single dramatic element is used to add visual interest.
Source: Lucie Bajgart
In fashion, bold minimalism often takes the form of unadorned garments in solid colors. The look is modern and clean, but can also be quite striking. In graphic design, industrial elements like small icons and badges are often used to add depth and interest. Often, typography plays the leading role in these designs. Quality fonts, letterforms, and shapes add to the overall effect.
Source: Marko Cvjietic, Letter Omega, Asís, Hrvoje Grubisic
As we mentioned in the Expressive Typography section, letters are artforms on their own and bold minimalism is just another tribute to this. When done well, it can be a truly beautiful style.
14. Maximalism
This style is all about rejecting the common rules of graphic design that you should keep it simple. While traditional design yells, “less is more,” maximalism believes, “more is more.” With the use of bold color combinations, layered images, prominent typography and repeating motifs this style definitely grabs your attention.
Source: Au Chon Hin
The use of variable fonts is becoming a huge aspect of maximalism as we approach 2023. As well, this design style it lets you maximize the use of space by switching your typography between condensed and expanded.
Source: Paula Scher, Alt Studio
Try maximalism in your design by using thick strokes, bright colors, and large patterns. Not to mention, using all the space you have available is something maximalism is all about.
Source: Bold Scandinavia
15. Modern natural
Earthy tones, handmade illustrations, and characteristic typography. Just some of the main elements of the modern natural that brings you closer to nature than most other styles do. It works great for organic products and businesses that care about the planet and conveys a certain honesty about the company.
Source: Daniel Patrick
In an era in which people are becoming more and more aware of global warming and their behaviors regarding consumption and the way they live, it’s more than logical that an aesthetic style like this would become widely used by brands and creatives.
Source: Jonathan Schubert, Office Hours, Meggies, Gander
Wrapping up: 2023’s best design trends
There you have it! 15 of the biggest graphic design trends for 2023. et ahead of the curve and start thinking about how you can incorporate these trends into your own work. Remember, however, that trends are meant to be broken–so don’t be afraid to experiment and come up with your own unique style.
Find more design inspiration on the Jukebox blog.
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