The year 2022 has set many new trends, while referring to what is already known. This is influenced by the collision of two generations in the graphic design market: generation Z and millenials.
This year, the leading trend is balancing design rules with freshness and flights of fancy.
Every year, graphic designers outdo each other with more and more unique graphic designs. Some of them appear unexpectedly and quickly become recognizable. Keeping up with trends has never been easy, but some graphic trends have taken root.
The year 2022 has set many new trends, while referring to what is already known. This is influenced by the collision of two generations in the graphic design market: generation Z and millenials. This year, the leading trend is balancing design rules with freshness and flights of fancy.
Retro – a nostalgic return to the past
Nostalgia has broken into the fashion world first and foremost, only to start attracting more and more in the context of graphic design. References to times gone by (especially to the style of the 1990s) are fueling the imagination of graphic designers. Millenials see this trend as an image of longing and nostalgia for simpler times. To some extent, it is also a reference to younger versions of themselves. What may come as a surprise is the fondness of Generation Z in particular, due to the frequent theme of rebellion.
For this reason, the use of “old-new” design aesthetics may not be surprising. A return to two-dimensional graphics, the use of intense colors that have been extinguished and smoothed, the appearance of geometric shapes or entire graphics stylized as stickers are characteristic features of the new trend.
Maximalism – no rules or restrictions
This trend with its creations takes us to a completely different reality. Escaping from everyday life, we explore previously unknown places, including intergalactic spaces. It tempts us with the promise of something that is unknown to us. Beyond the promise itself, it is also a kind of expression – playing with color, pattern, shape, form, which do not often contrast with each other. There are no rules and nothing limits us.
The whole phenomenon of this trend is based on experimentation, playfulness, sometimes even exaggeration and overexpression. Not all designs will come out perfectly or look good visually, but it is the maximalism that will argue for all its imperfections, while setting it apart from others. It is a shameless style that exposes all aspects of design fancy. This means that every time it becomes possible, to discover something new and give it a new and surprising form.
Pantone colors – Very Peri and company
When designing graphically, it is impossible to pass by one of the determinants, which is the color of the year from Pantone. Each year, one color is chosen that defines further projects in most companies, and especially among graphic designers.
In 2022, the color, by the way, with a very graceful name, became Very Peri, which is a special and specific shade of purple on the one hand. The color itself inspires creative action and unrestricted expression. As the Institute itself demonstrates, Very Peri can be part of all sorts of diverse color palettes, from warm, spring colors to heavier, winter shades.
The color of the year certainly should not derail the visual identity of the brands that have built it up over the years. But it can certainly provide a kind of springboard or starting point when creating designs, which are increasingly starting to appear in the furniture or textile industry.
Sustainable design – time for a new approach
The need for sustainable design has been talked about for several years, but 2022 can be called a real breakthrough. More and more products created from more sustainable materials, such as recycled or sustainably sourced, are appearing on the market.
Increasingly, we are enjoying seeing the real world and getting tired of the overcrowded artificial stuff. However, this trend doesn’t just refer to stopping the display of artificial materials, but primarily emphasizes the use of plastics that are biodegradable or partially reusable. This means using recycled, biodegradable materials or using detergents and paints that remain neutral to the environment. Attention has also begun to be paid to the labeling of packaging itself. They describe the ways, in which a given plastic should be treated after use.
Personally, we hope that caring for the environment and our collective future will soon become a standard, not only in the design industry.
And why all this?
All of the above-mentioned trends will be present in many projects, both printed and online. With such a rich variety of trends and the discovery of new ways to explore what already seemed familiar, it will make this year unique. Many trends will merge or relate to each other, which in effect will become a new trend. Definitely, this year will still surprise us, and everyone will be able to find something for themselves in it.