Trends: Damned if you do, damned if you dont?
Here’s my thoughts on trends- when they’re helpful, when they’re not, what current trends are and my philosophy with using them in branding projects.
Each project is different. I hope I’m truly listening to your unique needs and setting you up with your dream brand you don’t need to change every year to keep up with the times.
Trends can be a powerful tool in communicating your brand is modern, up to date, and worth following as a source of innovative fresh ideas. Trends are helpful tools we can use, as long as we also make sure we don’t just use these trends as a ‘catch all’ instead of really figuring out a brand for you that is unique, bold, and unapologetic.
Also over time, the more a trend is used, the less impact it ends up serving because it becomes a situation of copying each other with the same elements and loosing the individual expression of a brand!
So, my philosophy with trends is about balance. If your brand benefits from using trends, I do still think it’s important to define which you will use, and which will be uniquely a part of your brand. Your core brand shouldn’t go out of style!
This year I’ve noted these design trends in 2021 to take into account:
soft gradients
thin white lines and shapes, mimicking retro computer designs or print registration info
lines varying representing different relationships and philosophical concepts
use of symbols as a graphic element
elegant unique serif fonts, often centered
elements from 90’s magazine designs
general nostalgia from the 90’s as this generation is in its 30’s
bold black outlines with accent color- generally accessibility is taken into account with icons and buttons very clear
words shaped into open shapes, such as open circles or waves
text warping of quotes, especially in the font ‘Shrikhand’
I made this graphic to show yes, I am aware of these trends and am happy to incorporate them if it is relevant and helpful to your brand!
If so I’ll help lay out my game place with how to use these elements while still staying true to your timeless brand.
Contact me about getting started on your project!