5 Graphic Design Trends for 2025
Image credit inside of mockup from Canva.
The start of each year brings a flurry of predictions for the months ahead, and it’s no different in the design and branding world. From Pantone’s Color of the Year to design trends from industry leaders like Adobe and Canva, we’ve read the articles and compiled what we’re seeing in graphic design for 2025.
Here are five distinct design trends we’re noticing and anticipate will continue to be front and center throughout this year:
1. A rich, warm, and comforting vibe
As one of the most anticipated trend reports to be released each year, Pantone selects a Color of the Year that “captures the global zeitgeist” and reflects “collective desire in the form of a single, distinct hue.”
That’s a lot to put on a single color, but their choice is determined by analyzing trends across the world in a variety of industries, including fashion, interior design, art, and entertainment.
In some ways, their pick may be self-prophesying as others in the industry follow suit, but that goes for any trend report – and when you’ve got a color like this one, we’re all about it! 😍
Image credit Pantone.
This year’s color is Pantone 17-1230 Mocha Mousse. It’s a warm, neutral brown with depth and complexity that is intended as a response to our collective need for comfort during uncertain times. As a neutral, it can be applied to a wide variety of contexts and pairs well with other neutral colors and bright, vibrant ones alike.
The images below show examples of how it could be used to ground a brighter, more colorful palette or act as a base for a palette of warm, calming neutrals.
With so much versatility and possibility, don’t be afraid to utilize this color in your palette. When paired and executed well, it can stand the test of time. We can’t wait to see the creative ways 2025’s Color of the Year is put into practice!
2. Bold typography, color, and shapes
In a completely different direction than number one on our list, we can expect the 2024 trend of boldness to continue to show up this year.
This includes maximalist font choices paired with bright, eye-catching color palettes used in simple designs. We can expect to see bold, fun shapes used in new ways. Bright, bold colors were used last year in a flat, two-dimensional way. This year we’re seeing the vibrant colors push past this flat look and be applied to colorful metallics, which have more depth and a three-dimensional feel.
This trend is the opposite of subtle. The aim is to demand attention in an ever-increasingly cluttered world. Keep in mind that this style has a very youthful, casual feel, so if you’re considering leaning into it, be sure to consider your target audience and your intended brand vibe.
Image credit Adobe.
Image credit Creative Market.
Image credit Canva.
3. Hand-touched imperfections
As AI (artificial intelligence) continues to evolve, its obvious digital style is showing up more and more. In response, it’s only natural that a trend in the opposite direction would arise in an attempt to stand out – or even with the goal of being a direct contradiction to the new or anticipated normal. History has proven this pattern as Impressionism was a response to Realism, and Minimalism was a response to Abstract Expressionism. (We could go on, but you get the idea!) For that reason, we’re seeing a trend towards design with hand-touched imperfections.
Think: lots of texture with moments of happy “accidents.” This hand-touched feel comes in the form of graphic stamp-style logos and layouts with a collaged, layered look.
Though indirect, bringing this “human” element to your design can provide a sense of connection and communicate authenticity to the viewer.
4. Functional simplicity
Pulling from the influences of Japanese minimalism and Scandinavian functionality, this trend emphasizes simplicity and harmony and has been deemed “Japandi design.”
While its feeling of serenity and emphasis on natural, sustainable materials has made it popular in the world of interior design, its application in graphic design looks like uncluttered layouts with negative space for the eye to rest. It utilizes clean, modern typography and muted, warm colors to create a version of minimalism that doesn’t feel “cold.”
This look is great for evoking a sense of composure and calm with a hint of a playful, artistic style. It’s great for coffee shops, consultants, and beauty brands alike as long as those descriptors match the vibe of the customer’s experience.
5. A contemporary take on Art Deco
With more unique fonts becoming available — with personality worth featuring prominently in a design — we’re seeing a nod to the Art Deco movement that started in Paris in the 1910s and became popular across Europe and the United States in the 20s and 30s.
This modernized take utilizes clean layouts that feature elongated, stylized typography along with flat, complex illustrations made of geometric shapes. Limited but vibrant color palettes can be used to stand out against dark backgrounds for an elevated, but current look and feel.
This look would be great to lean into for a seasonal campaign or event that needs to stand out on its own within an existing brand.
Image credit Memory Studio.
Image credit Andrés Requena.
Additional Influences
Across all of these styles and trends, we’re going to see the influence of developing technology applied in different ways. Regardless of the trending style that’s speaking to you, the latest developments in AI and motion can apply. Here’s what we mean:
AI’s role
AI (artificial intelligence) is clearly here to stay and will continue to advance in the coming year. But now that everyone has had a chance to play around with what it can do (and create fun memes), it seems to be taking on an assistant role for many businesses.
New AI functionality within design programs — such as Canva, Adobe Creative Suite, and Figma — capitalizes on technology’s efficiency and is able to amplify the existing skills of professional designers. The visuals AI creates are being utilized in more subtle ways as supporting elements to create designs that aren’t so… well, “in your face artificial.”
Motion
From the animation of bold, colorful shapes to stop motion creations of designs created with physical materials, motion design helps to draw attention and communicate a story. Motion can be simple or complex, and it is absolutely an element to consider wherever your brand is showing up online – your social graphics, website, and maybe even your logo design.
Keep in Mind:
Trends are Temporary. Good Design is Timeless.
It is valuable to be in tune with what’s trending and how things are shifting in the world of visual branding and marketing (1) in order to stay relevant and (2) because short-term trends can be predictors of long-term shifts.
Yet ultimately, by definition, “trends” don’t last. Alternatively, good design is timeless.
Good graphic design always comes back to basic principles like hierarchy, rhythm, white space, clarity and legibility, balance, and contrast. These building blocks draw viewers in, stand the test of time (whether you use the color of the year or not), and create memorable brand visuals that tell a story.
Pay attention to trends. Choose good design. The investment in the latter will benefit you with greater longevity and higher satisfaction every time. Most importantly, remember – your visual branding should authentically reflect your business’s mission, values, and unique value propositions. Good design will bring out the best of what makes your business best.
More soon,
Alyssa
GRAPHIC DESIGNER
P.S. Need help sorting through the trends and implementing good design for your business? We’re here for that. Schedule a Free Call.
P.P.S.
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