Graphic design is more than showcasing what is trendy for a specific period. It is a reflection of society’s successes, challenges, and hopes. Through the pandemic there have been hard discussions and self-introspection of values and wishes. How can designers take these learnings and create visual experiences that pull emotion out of its viewers?

90s-2000s Design

Whelp, I think it finally happened for millennials! We have reached the point of where our trends are being recycled and now back in style. Generations have gone through this before and have dealt with those “youngens” believing that they discovered certain trends. It is millennials time now. Bright blocky colors, simple internet wireframes, pixelated images, and yes, grunge, will be in the forefront of 2022.

But nostalgia is always a key piece of design that can be reworked through different generations and eyes. What pulls at the heartstrings of your audience? Millennials are now the largest living generation, which means the most people in the workforce. Millennials pioneered social media and digital marketing explosion – they are the largest audience for a business. Though they may not have the most buying power (that belongs to Gen X and Baby Boomers still) – influence is what millennials have over older generations, which should steer companies in certain directions.

Pandemic Themes

As much as we hate to admit it, we are still amid a pandemic that we are all desperately trying to move on from. Issues that became prevalent during 2020-2021, such as healthcare, inequality, and polarizing stances on many issues, will hold through 2022 as society learns to deal with a new normal and understand the importance of certain professions and topics that need to structurally change to make it better for all not just a few.

Independent businesses will have to make decisions on worker and customer safety and enforce protocols based upon their knowledge and state & federal advice and work through large delays in the supply chain. It can be a very difficult period to be a small business owner without having the full backing of needed resources to create the impact in their communities as they wish and not struggle to keep doors open.

Clear messaging and design for certain process and procedures can help be a mitigating tool for small business owners for communication with customers to help bridge a gap that may be difficult to navigate.

Very Peri

Pantone has announced its color of the year, Very Peri (PANTONE 17-3938) embodying inspiration, innovation, and hope.

“The Pantone Color of the Year reflects what is taking place in our global culture, expressing what people are looking for that color can hope to answer.” said Laurie Pressman, Vice President of the Pantone Color Institute. “Creating a new color for the first time in the history of our Pantone Color of the Year educational color program reflects the global innovation and transformation taking place. As society continues to recognize color as a critical form of communication, and a way to express and affect ideas and emotions and engage and connect, the complexity of this new red violet infused blue hue highlights the expansive possibilities that lay before us”.

The color palettes created to go with Very Peri practically resemble the different seasons of the year. These mixes of color are gearing to reflect different emotions of audiences, while playing off other trends that will pop up in 2022.

Maximalism

As much as we have lived in a minimalist state for a long period for design, we are reaching a time in graphic design where designs are filling the entire space and mixing elements of bold colors, monochromist, and expanded palettes and shapes that reflect the brand and audiences. Similarities in this design style and that of the 90s/2000s allow designers the freedom of creativity. Better to have more to trim down than to add. These has been growing in the interior design world for a few years and known as “grandmillennial style.”

This could lead to a design industry conference based solely on the importance (or lack of) the use of white space.

Inclusive Design

The pandemic has brought many complex societal issues front and center; one of extreme importance is inclusion and diversity, that should be intertwined into daily lives of each brand and every human.

Contrast, readability, accessibility in design permits ease of comprehension and acceptance. Customers and audiences want to see themselves in how their user experiences can be optimized and tailored for them. Personalization is already an extremely useful content marketing tactic but should be amplified through design by the diversification of the different users and customers that each brand has and not what each brand should have.

Typography Knows No Bounds

With maximalism on the rise, it just is not limited to icons and special graphics, it will work itself into the type of font and the creative aspects that come with it. Serif fonts still has a stronghold in the use of design as it offers a classic vintage element audiences love. However, kinetic typography is on the rise – allowing fluidity and intrigue that bends the line of a letter to an abstract shape. It can be very risky to the design as legibility can be a factor and not all will appreciate the experimentation but can be very rewarding in the freedom and limitless bounds design offers.

Are Your Ready for 2022?

2022 is gearing up to be completely opposite of 2021, where we yearned for a sense of home, seriousness, and comfort. Now, we want to push the envelope and take risks leaving no room for minimal design. When determining your branding and marketing efforts for your campaigns, contact Colleen Eakins Design to set up a consultation to learn how we can best support you.