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Hot Graphic Design Trends: What’s In and What’s Out
by Ryan McKeever
Let’s face it. Four years after the world shut down, we’re still dealing with the repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic in more aspects of our lives than we realize. After being stuck at home indefinitely—and with many of our jobs becoming permanently remote—many of us have a newfound desire to feel more connected to society at large. This need to be united with our community has affected us not only in our personal lives, and, for creative professionals, in the way we approach our design, marketing and creative projects in our work.
As the need for connection to each other has increased, many new trends in graphic design have emerged over the past years. Inversely, some long-standing styles that have become common practice now feel stale and uninspired. In this article, we'll put the spotlight on graphic design trends in 2024, exploring what's currently in vogue and what's falling out of favor.
IN: Maximalism
After years of being under-stimulated while sitting at home, people are craving bold, loud and attention-grabbing content. Using collaged images, bold and eye-catching color palettes, a variety of mixed textures and creative typography, Maximalism rejects the oversimplified design that has become commonplace in several fields, but especially in the corporate world. With so many stimulating elements working together, it cannot and will not be ignored.
Credit: Github
OUT: Isometric Illustrations
Hello: 2013 called and they want their stock illustrations back. When this trend first took off, there was an oversaturation of flat, simplified design. Isometric illustrations, which make two-dimensional objects appear three-dimensional, were a response to this and quickly gained traction in the design world. However, as with many trends, this style quickly became just as prevalent as its predecessor. When everyone is using the same style, nothing feels unique.
Credit: iStock
IN: Expressive Typography
Once again rejecting the corporate minimalism that was so commonplace before the pandemic, a newfound emphasis on bold and expressive typography has taken on a life of its own. Early in 2024, we began to see new trends that included the use of 3D typography that incorporates infinite possibilities of textures, dimension and shape. With recent updates to design software making expressive typography easier to create, expect to see more of this style.
Credit: BMW
OUT: Neumorphism
Neumorphism is a UI design trend that falls between flat, simplified design and what objects look like in the real world. Put simply, this style can’t seem to make up its mind. Often, the use of this effect is so unpronounced that it may as well not be there. This leads to a feeling of visual disjointedness. If you’re going to do something, do it 100% or don’t do it at all. Don’t be middle-of-the-road like Neumorphism.
Credit: JustInMind.com
IN: Bold Color Palettes
Over the years, color palette trends have shifted almost constantly. From black and white to earth tones to neon and anywhere in between, the use of color is one of the most important design decisions you can make to get people to identify with your brand. Following the trend of more subdued palettes with a pop of color, many brands are now using bold, fun and clashing colors that draw attention while also achieving many accessibility guidelines for color contrast. While big and bold is in, it’s important to make sure your color palette is intentional and unified.
Credit: MadebyOku, StudioMPLS, &Walsh
OUT: Corporate Memphis
Back when the Corporate Memphis style first made its way onto the scene, it felt like an exciting new way to make minimalism more fun and humanist in digital design. Introduced during the late 2010’s, this trend featured disproportionately sized characters and flat design that initially felt like a breath of fresh air to make brands feel more humanist. It was easy to incorporate diversity into these illustrations, making it more desirable. However, over time the style became so prevalent that many people associate it now with tokenism and general corporate inauthenticity.
Credit: Freepik
IN: Freeform Gradients
Perhaps one of the most frequent in and out trends in graphic design is the use of gradients. One minute it’s in, the next it’s out. But for now, gradients are back in full force thanks to the new “freeform gradient” tool. Unlike traditional gradients which blend two more colors in a straight line or ellipse, this new tool allows gradients to merge with each other seamlessly. This gives a newfound dimension to design, whether they’re used as a filter, in shapes, backgrounds or type. So, for now, freeform gradients are in.
Credit: asukawatanabe
OUT: Double Exposure
Double exposure had its heyday when photographers realized they could take a picture, rewind the film and then take a second photo on top of it. From there, designers discovered they could do the same thing in Photoshop with any photo or texture they wanted. What initially was considered a brilliant way to combine different elements into a single image is now viewed as something a college student creates as they’re learning how to use Photoshop. If you’re thinking of using double exposure in 2024, it's time to rethink.
Credit: Spoon Graphics (YouTube)
IN: Humanist Minimalism
Stark corporate minimalism with flat, tired design is no longer viable. The flattening of logos, reduction of color and oversimplified branding now still feels clean, but also sterile and uninspired. So how do we continue using one of the most widely-practiced design trends of the 20th and 21st centuries? Enter Humanist Minimalism. With more people wanting to feel human connection and a sense of community, many brands have begun implementing more hand-made elements such as doodles, natural textures and playful typefaces and colors. These elements paired with the use of negative space, limited type, simplicity and functionality are what I’ve dubbed the “Humanist Minimalism” trend. Expect to see this in many designs this year.
Credit: StuidoMPLS, Ryan Air, WeWork
OUT: Drop Shadows
If you’re thinking of using drop shadow, especially in typography, seek help! By 2024, it should be known to avoid drop shadow, but I want to mention it just in case some of you are getting ideas. While extremely prevalent in digital design over the past 25 years to make elements look three-dimensional, the use of the drop shadow tool often appears clunky, over the top and for lack of a better word, bad. There have been countless other methods developed in the design and illustration world to help make objects pop, so perhaps use one of those methods instead. Unless you’re making a “graphic design is my passion” meme or some other ironic piece, do everyone a favor and refrain from using this outdated trend.
Credit: salestinus sustyo h
In the ever-evolving landscape of graphic design, it’s important to stay up on the current trends while avoiding overused illustration styles. Doing so ensures your brand continues to resonate with its audience, which is especially important in an era where people want to feel a meaningful connection with each other. Hopefully, these ins and outs will serve as a jumping off point for your next project.
Ryan McKeever is a graphic designer based in Austin, Texas who has been working with Cella since 2019. Before joining Cella full time, McKeever was a freelancer, an in-house designer for the U.S. Green Building Council and an editorial designer for Remodeling magazine, where he earned the “Best Cross-Platform Package of the Year Top 10 Award” from the American Society of Business Publication Editors. He has produced works for National Geographic, The US Department of Energy, Father/Daughter Records, Rock the Vote, United Way, the National Women’s History Museum, the National Institute of Health, and many more.
