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5 graphic design trends we predict to be huge in 2017

Our top creatives share their predictions on the graphic design trends shaping the industry in 2017

5 graphic design trends we predict to be huge in 2017

5 graphic design trends we predict to be huge in 2017 1220 640 White Rabbit

Modern retro

Modern Retro is the first prediction of the graphic design trends 2017 will bring. Now we aren’t talking about the old-old school retro inspired design from the early 1990’s-60’s. Modern retro takes us back just a small step to the 70’s, 80’s and 90’s. Yes, there’s a wave of nostalgia sweeping over us at the moment which doesn’t show any signs of drying up. This is also why we’re seeing reboots of the likes of ‘Fuller House’ and ‘Gilmore Girls’. There’s a warm, cheesy sort of comfort we get from The Tanner’s entering our living rooms once again with their life lessons and group hugs.

Perhaps this movement has come about because all the kids from that generation are now all grown up and are not only the brand consumers but many are now running their own Graphic Design and Website Design Agencies. Or perhaps it’s because we all fell in love with ’Stranger Things’ and the 80’s nostalgia that it brought with it. So think early video games, bright colours (often neon) and abstract shapes.

At a time of uncertainty with the current tumultuous social and political environment, it’s no wonder we’re seeking a bit of refuge with graphic design that provides some childhood comfort. The brightly coloured, optimistic colour palettes help to make us feel a little less like we’re in the upside down.

A once in lifetime gateway the grand tour

Seattle design firm Invisible Creatures have gone with a colourful, bold and simple design to create a modern retro feel with their space travel posters for NASA.

Stranger Things illustrations

The modern retro style ties in perfectly with these epic Stranger Things illustrations. This is most definitely one of the graphic design trends 2017 will be known for.

Retro designs placed on stationery with bright colours

You won’t be wanting to cover up these retro inspired notebooks with duraseal.

Colours that pop

Fitting in with the eighties theme, Colours that pop are set to dominate 2017 graphic design trends. So think bold. Think bright. Think vibrant.

Yip, if the Kardashians were a colour, this is it. We predict them to be everywhere in 2017. We could say “Well at least these won’t creep into the news.” But look closer. You’ll see a lot of News sets have recently gutted out their neutrally toned sets in favour of bright colours that would once have been more likely to be seen on kid’s tv show. Not to mention a legion of TV networks featuring brightly coloured graphics with revamped branding to match.

In times of chaos and complexity, we seek restricted, uncompromising colour pallets, states Pantone’s Viewpoint Color magazine. So expect to see trends in primary colours of red, green and blue (often those used in country’s flags) come into full force with this movement in graphic design.

Our advice? Often by selecting two or three bright colours you’ll find the design will turn heads with it’s vibrancy without have consumers thinking “Is this really for ages 5 and up?”

Instagram branding in bright colours

Instagram’s controversial rebranding saw them ditch the skeuomorphic camera icon they’d held onto for 5 years and go with a simple camera icon with a brightly coloured yellow-magenta-purple-blue gradient.

Bright colours graphic design trends

We’re seriously considering repainting our office just so we have an excuse to purchase these beautifully designed tins of paint. Waldo Trommler Paints were about to enter the US market so wanted to stand out against their competitors. Mission accomplished!

Hard cover book with a modern and colourful design on an orange and blue background

Content’ (a leading company in content management systems) new colourful palette certainly helps to convey a dynamic, fun and vibrant company. This also brings us along nicely to our next graphic design trend of 2017.

Geometric shapes

Again, this graphic design trend is sure to blend in nicely with our homage to the eighties and nineties. Yes, geometric shapes are sure to make an impact in 2017. Used as backgrounds, graphic elements or illustration design they have a wide variety of uses. Expect to see some striking pattern designs, especially when it comes to packaging design.

Full disclosure. We could be a tad obsessed with geometric shapes right now. Is it normal to suggest to your Uber driver that he should look into getting some geometric shape decals on his vehicle?

One of the things we love about geometric shapes are the limitless applications it offers. Consider using bold shapes with vivid colours to add some fun and instant visual interest to your design. Or try creating a more delicate geometric shaped design to give an elegant, sleek and professional look.

There’s something about geometry that is very eye grabbing. With its impression of movement and perfect symmetry, geometric shapes can intrigue an audience on many different levels. Much like the Harambe memes, we predict geometric shapes are going to be with us for a while yet.

Graphic design trends including geometric shapes

The redesign of the Famebit website showcases some incredible eighties style geometric shapes with vibrant colours and bold fonts of that era to match.

Geometric designs on bottle packaging

This polygon pattern goes down just as smoothly as the Boteco vodka itself. The branding of stylised triangular shapes are reminiscent of mountains in Brazil where the Vodka is imported from.

Geometric shapes in an elegant formation design

This more delicate geometric shaped pattern displays yet another way to go with the graphic design trends 2017 brings to the table.

Dramatic typography

Making our penultimate entry for the 5 Graphic Design Trends We Predict To Be Huge In 2017 is dramatic typography. Big, bold, headline style fonts often with rather creative placements are set to rock our type world this year. Adding to the bright colours, this year really seems all about grabbing peoples attention in a fun and audacious way.

Beautifully handcrafted fonts have been on the rise for a while now and we expect to see this increase even more this year. They have the tendency to give a brand a more personal, authentic and handmade sort of feel while allowing a bit of character to shine through. A handwritten font on a corporate business’ website can really help to create a friendly welcome for visitors

For too long typography has been that forgotten about middle child jumping up and down for attention. But not anymore. It looks like this is it’s year to shine. Dramatic typography through use of colour, texture, size and creative placement is set to take over our type world in 2017.

With strong hero style images being so popular, big, bold typefaces are a perfect combo to compliment these. They can also help to communicate your message to our ever decreasing attention spans. We’ll be seeing lots of inspiring statements and taglines, even just single words taking up primary real estate in our designs. So upsize to large and grab that sought after consumer attention.

Landing page with typography for trend predictions

It’s a case of go big or go home with a lot of the graphic design trends 2017 is cooking up. A bold headline on the hero image on Pomerleau’s website draws us in.

Handcraft font on packaging design

The handwritten style typography used in the packaging for Handsome Coffee provides the product with personality and has enhanced it’s authenticity.

Pink and bold fluoro typography design

With no other elements to even compete for our attention you can’t help but be captivated by the dramatic typography in bright magenta and navy in these flyers.

Flat design 2.0

Flat design has taken the world by storm the last few years. So much so the days of skeumorphism design seem like a distant bad dream. Does anyone else still on occasion wake up in a cold sweat after dreaming they’ve reached for their iPhone and the tacky leather bindings on the old iOS calendar are back? No? Just us?

Not only is flat design 2.0 visually appealing and helpful in simplifying layouts but it also means fast loading times when used on websites and high usability. Not to mention it also goes great with the other 2017 graphic design trends we’ve discussed such as bright colours and bold fonts.

Flat 2.0 (helpfully refined by Google’s Material Design) takes all the things we’ve loved about flat design and adds to it light and shadow effects for more depth and movement, giving us a slightly more realistic and dynamic feel. Photos and videos also play a large role in Flat 2.0 – that’s right, not everything needs to be a UI element or icon now, how bout dat.

And Hello Hello, it’s also welcomed back our old friend, gradients. We totally forgot you were a thing. Brightly coloured two-toned gradients are emerging all over the show. Using them correctly can add a level of depth to your designs and provide eye-catching backgrounds or a stunning overlay effect.

Flat design illustration for graphic design trend predictions

This Donald Trump illustration is bound to make flat design great again.

Graphic design trends in gradient form

Stink Digital created a stunning effect for Spotify’s end-of-the-year site with two-toned gradients overlaying the images.

Flat icon design for trending design predictions

The app ‘Tails Life’ is all aboard the Flat Design 2.0 trend with their soft radial gradient in the background and simple icon designs in front.


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