10 Must Know Design Trends Defining the Future

Risoprint, a design trend that draws its inspiration from a traditional Japanese printing technique. With its grainy overlay effects and vibrant color palettes, risoprint has garnered attention as a unique and visually striking design approach.

Rooted in the Risograph printing process, a mechanical reproduction technique that gained popularity in Japan during the 1980s, risoprint offers designers a medium to experiment and push the boundaries of traditional printing. One of the standout characteristics of risoprint is the grainy overlay effect, which lends a tactile and organic feel to the final output. This effect occurs due to the nature of the Risograph duplicator, which utilizes soy-based inks and a stencil-like master sheet. As the ink passes through the stencil, it creates subtle imperfections and textures that result in the signature grainy appearance, reminiscent of screen printing or vintage photocopies.

The grainy overlay effect of risoprint not only adds a unique visual texture but also imparts a sense of nostalgia and authenticity to designs. It evokes a raw and imperfect quality that stands in contrast to the crispness of digital printing, offering a refreshing alternative that resonates with those seeking a tactile and handmade aesthetic. Furthermore, the vibrant color palettes often associated with risoprint contribute to its visual impact, with bold and saturated hues capturing attention and infusing designs with energy and vibrancy.

In the ever-evolving landscape of design trends, mysticism has emerged as a captivating and alluring aesthetic that transcends conventional boundaries. With its profound ability to infuse spaces and branding with a sense of intrigue and spiritual depth, mysticism has captivated designers and enthusiasts alike. One particular facet of this trend that has gained notable attention is the incorporation of tarot cards iconography, thin lines, and organic curves to create meaningful branding and design.

What sets mysticism as a design trend apart is its ability to create meaningful branding and design that transcends mere aesthetics. By harnessing the power of tarot card iconography, thin lines, and organic curves, designers can imbue their work with a profound sense of purpose and evoke emotions beyond the surface level. The mysticism trend challenges us to explore the depths of our own consciousness, inviting us to question, discover, and connect with something greater than ourselves. Mysticism as a design trend invites us to embrace the enigmatic, the unseen, and the extraordinary, bringing forth a harmonious fusion of aesthetics and transcendence.

Folk botanical design trend has taken the design world by storm with its enchanting blend of unexpected colors, whimsical leaves, intricate vines, and raw textures. This captivating trend draws inspiration from traditional folk art and intertwines it with a botanical aesthetic, resulting in designs that are both nostalgic and refreshingly contemporary.

At the heart of folk botanical design lies a bold exploration of color. Gone are the conventional palettes; instead, designers embrace unexpected hues that inject vibrancy and playfulness into their creations. Vivid oranges, deep purples, and electric blues mingle with earthy tones, creating a harmonious symphony that captivates the eye and evokes a sense of wonder. The unconventional color choices of folk botanical designs breathe new life into traditional motifs, infusing them with modern energy.

Leaves and vines take center stage in folk botanical design, intertwining in whimsical patterns that evoke a sense of nature's untamed beauty. Delicate tendrils snake across designs, imbuing them with a sense of movement and organic grace. These botanical elements pay homage to the rich folklore and tales of nature's magic, while also serving as a reminder of our intrinsic connection to the natural world. Whether adorning textiles, illustrations, or packaging, the presence of leaves and vines in folk botanical designs offers a glimpse into a world where art and nature intertwine.

Another distinctive feature of folk botanical design is the use of rough textures that add a touch of authenticity and rustic charm. By incorporating rough brush strokes, weathered effects, or even hand-drawn illustrations, designers infuse their creations with a sense of tactility and craftsmanship. These rough textures speak to the artisanal qualities of folk art, creating a visual language that resonates with the desire for authenticity and a return to simpler times.

The skater/punk design trend is a dynamic and rebellious movement that channels the spirit of skateboarding and punk rock culture into visually captivating designs. Known for its raw and edgy aesthetic, this trend embraces hand-done effects, energetic compositions, and a distinct sense of rebellion.

At the heart of the skater/punk design trend lies a do-it-yourself ethos that celebrates the art of imperfection. Hand-done effects such as hand-drawn illustrations, brush strokes, and graffiti-inspired elements infuse designs with an authentic and gritty quality. These rough and raw textures add a sense of spontaneity and rebellion, capturing the essence of the underground skateboarding and punk scenes that have long championed a DIY attitude.

Energetic compositions are a hallmark of the skater/punk design trend, reflecting the vibrant and high-energy nature of the subcultures that inspired it. Bold typography, dynamic layouts, and asymmetrical arrangements create a sense of movement and excitement. These compositions often feature elements in motion, such as skateboards, spray paint cans, or musical instruments, capturing the essence of the subcultures' energetic spirit.

In a world where conformity can prevail, the skater/punk design trend offers a visual rebellion that celebrates personal expression, individuality, and the exhilarating energy of alternative cultures. It embodies the untamed spirit of skateboarding and punk rock, capturing the essence of rebellion and pushing creative boundaries. By incorporating hand-done effects, energetic compositions, and a touch of rebellion, designers can infuse their work with the raw and rebellious energy that defines the skater/punk design trend.

Retro lines is adesign trend that pays homage to the aesthetics of the past, embraces cartoon caricatures with tube-like arms and legs alongside a limited color palette. This nostalgic trend draws inspiration from vintage cartoons and pop culture, evoking a sense of whimsy and playfulness through its distinctive visual style.

One of the defining features of retro lines is the use of cartoon caricatures with tube-like arms and legs. This unique visual element harkens back to the animated characters of yesteryear, with their exaggerated and elongated limbs. By simplifying the human form into these distinctive tube-like shapes, designers create a charming and instantly recognizable style that exudes a retro charm. These caricatures often express exaggerated emotions and movements, adding a sense of liveliness and energy to the designs.

The limited color palette is another key aspect of retro lines that adds to its nostalgic appeal. By restricting the color choices to a select few, designers create a cohesive and harmonious visual language reminiscent of vintage illustrations and animations. Pastel shades or bold primary colors are often employed, enhancing the retro aesthetic and evoking a sense of nostalgia for a bygone era. This intentional limitation not only adds to the overall charm of retro lines but also serves as a nod to the technological and design limitations of earlier times.

Retro lines as a design trend offers a delightful journey into the whimsical world of vintage cartoons and pop culture. Through the use of cartoon caricatures with tube-like arms and legs and a limited color palette, designers tap into the charm and nostalgia of the past, while infusing their creations with a sense of playfulness and joy. Whether used in illustrations, branding, or animations, retro lines transport us to a bygone era and invite us to embrace the lighthearted spirit of vintage aesthetics.

Airbrush surrealism has emerged as a unique design trend that combines elements of dreamlike imagery and soft retro gradient like filters. Drawing inspiration from the airbrush painting technique popularized in the 1970s and 1980s, this trend offers a visually stunning and ethereal aesthetic that transports viewers to surreal and otherworldly realms.

At the heart of airbrush surrealism is the application of soft retro gradient filters to create a not-so familiar and dreamy atmosphere. These filters, reminiscent of vintage photography and design, infuse images with a soft, hazy quality that evokes a sense of nostalgia and introspection. The subtle blending of colors, often in pastel or muted tones, adds a touch of surrealism, blurring the boundaries between reality and fantasy. This retro-inspired filtering technique lends an air of mystery and intrigue to the imagery, inviting viewers to immerse themselves in a world of imagination and wonder.

Airbrush surrealism delights in the creation of dreamlike and fantastical imagery. This trend often incorporates elements of whimsy, surreal juxtapositions, and fantastical storylines to transport viewers to alternate realities. The soft retro gradient filters serve to enhance the surreal elements, creating a harmonious and dreamy ambiance.

Through the application of soft retro gradient filters and the incorporation of dreamlike imagery, it offers a glimpse into ethereal and surreal worlds. Whether used in digital illustrations, branding, or even photo editing, airbrush surrealism provides a portal to a realm of fantasy and invites viewers to explore the limitless possibilities of the imagination.

The 90s psychedelic design trend has experienced a resurgence, captivating audiences with its vibrant neon colors and imaginative landscapes that depict a positive outlook on a future dystopia. Drawing inspiration from the psychedelic and cyberpunk aesthetics of the 1990s, this trend merges elements of retro futurism and mind-bending visuals to create a mesmerizing and optimistic visual experience.

Neon colors take center stage in 90s psychedelic design, injecting designs with an electrifying energy. Bold hues such as vivid pinks, electric blues, and fluorescent greens create a visually striking palette that commands attention. These neon tones harken back to the vibrant spirit of the 90s rave culture, evoking a sense of euphoria and an otherworldly atmosphere. By embracing these vibrant colors, the trend immerses viewers in a captivating world where reality and imagination intertwine.

Imaginative landscapes play a crucial role in 90s psychedelic design. These landscapes often feature fantastical robots, surreal architectures, and futuristic cityscapes. Despite the dystopian undertones, there is an underlying optimism conveyed through the imaginative and vibrant visuals. This juxtaposition of a utopian imagination against a dystopian backdrop creates a sense of hope and possibility, inspiring viewers to reimagine and shape their own future.

The 90s psychedelic design trend offers a mesmerizing blend of neon colors, imaginative landscapes, and a positive outlook on a future dystopia. By embracing the vibrant and mind-altering aesthetics of the 90s, this trend invites viewers to explore a realm of boundless imagination and embrace the potential for positive change in an uncertain world. It reminding us that even in the face of dystopia, a brighter and more vibrant future is within our reach.

Y2K grunge, also known as Acid graphics, has emerged in modern-day design trends that embraces shiny chrome textures and digital effects that mimic screen glitches. Inspired by the aesthetics of the turn of the millennium, this trend combines elements of grunge, cyberpunk, and digital distortion to create a visually mesmerizing and edgy style.

At the heart of Y2K grunge is the use of shiny chrome textures that add a futuristic and reflective quality to designs. These textures, often applied to typography, logos, or background elements, evoke a sense of sleekness and technological advancement. The chrome finish reflects light and this metallic sheen embodies the sleek and polished aesthetics that were prevalent during the Y2K era.

Digital effects that mimic screen glitches play a prominent role in Y2K grunge design, infusing a sense of distortion and technological decay. These effects replicate the artifacts and errors that were often associated with early digital displays and lend a gritty and rebellious edge to the visuals. Glitchy transitions, pixelated elements, and fragmented imagery create a sense of digital disruption, challenging traditional design conventions and embracing imperfections as a form of artistic expression.

Y2K grunge, with its shiny chrome textures and digital glitches, offers a blend of futuristic sleekness and rebellious edge. By incorporating these elements, designers tap into the aesthetics of the turn of the millennium, at a time when technology was rapidly advancing and the digital world was filled with both promise and uncertainty. Y2K grunge design invites viewers to embrace the beauty in imperfection and the allure of a distorted digital landscape, capturing the spirit of an era while pushing the boundaries of contemporary design.

Escapism as a design trend that has taken a fascinating turn by incorporating AI generative apps to produce often ominous, impossible environments that are artificial yet carry a sense of familiarity. This trend offers a unique and thought-provoking visual experience, where viewers are transported into alternate realities that exist beyond the confines of the physical world and our our imgination.

With the aid of AI generative apps, designers can create intricate and immersive environments that push the boundaries of imagination. These generated landscapes often possess an eerie and mysterious quality, evoking a sense of unease or awe. They challenge our perceptions of reality and transport us to places that defy logic and physics. While these environments may be artificial, they evoke a strange sense of familiarity, tapping into the collective consciousness and our deep-rooted archetypal associations.

The use of AI generative apps in escapism design allows for a departure from the constraints of reality, enabling the exploration of fantastical realms and existential concepts. These environments might feature floating islands, twisted structures, or distorted landscapes that blend elements of the familiar and the uncanny. By immersing viewers in these visually captivating and sometimes foreboding scenes, escapism design prompts introspection, contemplation, and a desire to escape the ordinary and venture into the extraordinary.

Escapism as a design trend, driven by AI generative apps, provides a gateway to imagined worlds that exist on the periphery of our understanding. Through the creation of impossible and ominous environments, designers invite viewers to question the nature of reality, venture into the unknown, and embrace the beauty found in the ethereal and surreal. This trend serves as a reminder that within the realm of escapism, we can find inspiration, introspection, and a sense of awe that expands our creative horizons and challenges our perceptions of the possible.

Gradients are noting new to the design world however , abstract gradients have become a design trend of their own. Reimagined through the use of abstract shapes and organic forms that evoke a sense of weightlessness, colorfulness, and visual fluidity. While gradients themselves are not new, this trend pushes their boundaries by embracing abstract and amorphous compositions that blur the lines between shape and color.

The use of abstract shapes in conjunction with gradients adds a new level of dynamism and intrigue to designs. These shapes often lack defined edges or rigid structures, giving them a sense of organic fluidity. They appear to flow and morph, creating a visual language that defies traditional constraints. The vibrant and colorful gradients applied to these abstract shapes enhance the sense of movement and energy, evoking a lively and captivating visual experience.

Blurred edges play a significant role in this trend, further emphasizing the sense of fluidity and noise within the designs. The deliberate blurring of edges adds a touch of mystery and intrigue, creating an ethereal and dreamlike quality. It evokes a sense of motion and depth, as if the abstract forms are in constant flux. The overall effect is a harmonious integration of colors and shapes that appear weightless and interconnected, forming a visually stimulating and immersive experience for viewers.

Abstract gradients as a design trend invite us to embrace the boundless possibilities of shape, color, and movement. By combining abstract forms with vibrant gradients and blurred edges, designers are creating a visual fluidity and dynamism. These designs resonate with a sense of energy and spontaneity, capturing the essence of creativity in motion. Whether used in illustrations, posters, or digital interfaces, abstract gradients infuse designs with a lively and captivating aesthetic that celebrates the beauty of the ever-changing and vibrant world around us.

Thank you for taking the time to explore the 10 must-known design trends we discussed above. Design trends have the power to inspire and shape our creative endeavors, pushing the boundaries of imagination and influencing the way we perceive and interact with the world. Whether it's embracing mysticism, retro lines, or Y2K grunge, each trend offers a unique visual language and a means to express our ideas and emotions. By staying informed and open to these trends, we can continue to evolve as designers and creators, adding new layers of innovation and beauty to our work. So, here's to a future filled with limitless possibilities and an ever-growing appreciation for the fascinating world of design trends.

Article written by Ryan Newhouser // Saturday, May 20th, 2023 // assisted by Chat GPT