As we approach a new year, it’s natural to wonder what our future will look like and how our daily lives will be affected. Digital media evolves as rapidly as our attention spans allow, so it is difficult to decipher which direction it will go. It is safe to say, however, in our increasingly environmentally conscious society that we are bound to recycle a few old fads.
Cheesy puns aside, this upcoming year will see a mix of unique innovations and blasts from the past. So what will graphic design look like in 2022?
Eye Candy
In an age where we are constantly exposed to cluttered social media feeds and persistent digital content, it can be difficult for new brands to stand out, so using lively and bold candy-colored graphics will help grab the viewer’s attention.
A saturated color palette evokes a sense of youth and positivity that can be a welcome distraction from the monotony of daily life. Vibrant tones will show up in a wide range of digital mediums such as web design, flyers, and logos.
From Drags to Riches
Use rich colors to liven up an otherwise minimalist design. An advertisement with simple typography and uniform graphics would benefit from loud and colorful shades. Brush up on color theory and make sure the palette consists of complementary hues – otherwise, the final result could clash with unappealing spectacle.
Funky Fonts
Breaking from the norm and challenging aesthetic standards has become the cultural shift of this decade, so lettering that deviates from the traditional will be seen a lot more frequently in digital media this coming year. Typography will become more expressive and dynamic to emphasize a specific message. Mismatching fonts, varying sizes, and unusual patterns are all fair game.
Legibly Blonde
Even legibility will be questionable because art will take priority over function. Using an unorthodox lettering style works best with motion graphics because the animation can highlight the eccentric design with movement. This trend calls upon the current culture of finding beauty in disorder. Creating these unique designs allow brands to experiment with marketing strategies that transcend language and build universal understanding.
Meme Marketing
Prepare to see more memes in your Instagram ad feed this coming year. Younger generations are slowly taking over the e-commerce market, so appealing to the demographic requires understanding their sense of humor. Social media has become one of the biggest influences on purchase decisions made by millennials and Gen Zers, so adapting to the content they consume will potentially keep them from scrolling past the ad.
The most significant advantage of memes is their notability. It is an inside joke shared among millions of people, and capitalizing on its dissemination is one of the best ways to promote a brand. It can be a valuable tactic, but make sure to keep it current because nothing’s worse than a company trying to use an outdated meme to sell their product.
90s Baby
It is no secret that the 80s made a comeback within the last few years, and their influence has spilled into many creative mediums, including fashion, music, and even film and television. As we make our way into 2022, the trend of recycling decades progresses into the 90s and early 2000s. As a result, finding the Saved by the Bell aesthetic in digital media should come as no surprise.
Geometrics
There will be a resurgence of the polished geometric and colorful patterns of Memphis design, as well as the gritty underground aesthetic of grunge. Handwritten sans serif typography will also find its way into the mainstream again. This direction plays more into our nostalgic sensibilities. After a tumultuous start to the decade, we crave the familiar comfort of a simpler time – but with a contemporary upgrade.
Y2K Kids Please Stand Up
While the return of the early 90s caters to a millennial audience, those under the umbrella of Gen Z seem to gravitate towards designs of the Y2K era – a time of technological optimism. Holographic color schemes that mimic the backs of CDs will become more prominent, along with bubblegum pinks and baby blues.
The Future Starts Now
A reimagined retro-futurism will also show up in digital mediums as it did at the turn of the millennium. Stylized graphics reminiscent of low-resolution interfaces and icons will show up as a nod to the introduction of the internet. The revival of this cyberpunk motif is meant to inspire new beginnings and a positive outlook for the future.
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