Top 5 Design Trends for 2021

“Design is intelligence made visible” -Aline Wheeler

Design is the art of injecting life into creative ideas. And, every year, designers are presented with new opportunities to create something fresh and eye-catching.

The design landscape has changed considerably in the past year. 2020 was dominated by designs that were legible and color-balanced. However, the year 2021 is all about curating impeccable designs that are customer-centric. But, there are certain trends from the past that will still remain favorites.

Let’s take a look at the design trends that were the talk-of-the-town in 2020 and unfold the top design trends to come in 2021.

Design Trends That Dominated 2020

Brands use design strategies to give an identity to their products and services. 2020 highlighted some innovative techniques and design strategies like:

• Muted Color Palettes
• Color Gradients
• Authentic Stock Graphics
• Abstract Illustrations
• Flowing Lines and Shapes

These were widely used by designers to create intuitive web designs. It is predicted that these design techniques will continue to remain favorites in the year to come.

2020 Design Trends That Will Be Followed in 2021

Predicting graphic design trends has become an annual ritual at Grazitti. We find ourselves asking the same questions every year – “what were the best graphic design techniques of the year?” and “how will the design landscape look in the year to come?”

In 2021, it is projected that simplistic designs and minimalism will be revived along with the following design trends from the past year:

• Dark Mode
• Socially-Conscious Design
• Heavy Simple Fonts
• 3D Design
• Seamless Surrealism

A major shift from cluttered designs and usage of bold colors to soothing palettes will be observed. A key reason behind this shift is the challenges faced by businesses amidst these trying times. Consumers are rooting for colors and designs that deliver a sense of calmness, and so, the aforementioned 2020 design trends have managed to make it to the 2021 list.

Top 5 Design Trends for 2021

With 2020 being a challenging year for brands, 2021 has opened new avenues for designers to play with techniques and design innovative graphics. Here’s a list of the top 5 design trends that we expect to see in the year to come:

1. 3D Typography:

Typography made it to the prevalent design trends list in 2020. Designers used this technique to experiment with ideas and take their design game a level up. In 2021, it is predicted that typography in combination with 3D illustrations will be the next big thing and will gain immense popularity to create immersive designs. If used correctly, brands can create an innovation-driven realistic experience for the users and grab their attention.

2. Emoji Design:

The tactful use of emojis empowers designers to connect with the audiences by providing emotion to statements. Emojis will be widely used in 2021 as a major design practice because of the ease of conversation that these can establish and the associated fun tone they have. Emojis help explain product functionalities and services using a light and humorous tone, making it easier for viewers to understand the context.

3. Muted Color Palettes:

Using muted colors in your content pieces is a great way of injecting life into them. Muted colors bring out the authenticity of the key message that you wish to convey to your target audience. Also, these colors have a very realistic and natural approach and are appealing to the eye due to their low saturation. The use of saturated colors lends a sense of calmness to the content pieces making them more genuine and reliable. A complete designer’s favorite in 2020, muted color palettes will rule the 2021 realm as well.

4. Monochrome Designs:

Adding monochrome design to the palette enables designers to present complex information simply and systematically. Monochrome gives any graphic representation a calm and subtle look that is appealing to the eye and easy to understand. Next year, we can expect to see more monochrome graphics with simple color schemes that amplify design features and make the information digestible.

5. Visual Storytelling:

Consumers are always in search of brands that offer a sense of authenticity to them. Visual storytelling is an ideal tool that enables brands to develop genuine relationships with users and offer them value. Storytelling in designs will gain momentum in 2021 as it is an opportunity for brands to instantly connect with the users.

While using trending design techniques, designers must keep in mind that graphics represent the true identity of a brand. Designers, today, are opting for more meaningful design strategies that simply convey the message to users and help them resonate with the brand.
Yes, designers can experiment with their designing abilities but the outcome must match with the brand’s identity. Designers must keep these key aspects in mind while considering the design trends that will prevail in 2021.

Wondering how you can create stellar designs to stand out? Talk to us!