7 Graphic Design Trends to Watch in 2022

We have stood witness to a different world in front of our eyes in the last two years. The pandemic has changed the way users respond to graphics. There has been wide use of graphics to raise awareness about the virus and save millions of lives. Businesses too have had to make changes to their design and marketing strategies. In many ways, this ‘New Normal’ has had its impact on graphic designing and this is expected to continue in 2022 where graphics would be designed to deliver a brand’s message to masses.  

The importance of exploring the latest trends in graphic designing doesn’t need to be stated. Whether it’s your brand’s website or social media feeds, engaging visuals are vital to striking a chord with the users. With 93% of all communication being visual, it is important to leverage graphics across different channels and marketing campaigns. Is your brand ready with new designs for 2022? Are you implementing the emerging trends for the upcoming year? It's time for your design team to hit the drawing board. 

While design trends change, the goal to grab eyeballs with graphics remains a constant. With the intrusion of digital content from all sides, it has become a challenge for designers to grab attention. Hence, it is important to come up with fresh ideas and improvise on successful trends from the previous years. As we begin our countdown to a new year, it is time to spot the early signs of emerging trends in graphic design. What would be the graphic design trends to watch in 2022? Let’s find out. 

1. Motion

Static graphics are out as far as designing for social media is concerned. Interactive content generates 5x views compared to static content and it would be one of the focus areas for all graphic designers. As users fast scroll through their timelines, the challenge for designers is to put a brake on the thumb! There’s even terminology for it – “thumb-stopping content”. 

Moving graphics grab eyeballs faster and inspire users to hold and take note of the content. Hence, 2022 would see graphic designers play with motion. Getting the rhythm and timing of the content right is key to success with these kinds of graphics.

2. Throwback to the 90s

The 90s changed the world and introduced us to the world of the Internet. They made the world the ‘Global Village’ it has turned out to be. Since then, the 90s have greatly inspired graphic designers. 

In 2022, we are likely to see more of it as graphic designers borrow inspiration from the past and go retro. Neon colors, simple emojis, and sharp-edged frames would be used for online and offline campaigns. We would also see extensive use of sci-fi-inspired design ideas. These graphic designs are likely to trigger wide interest among users and bring back fond memories from childhood for many.

3. Candy Color Schemes

Designs don’t necessarily need to be out-of-the-box to grab attention. Graphic designs come in all shapes and not each one of them is a masterpiece of artwork. However, there are simple ways of making them stand out amid the clutter of graphic designs. 

Candy color scheme is one of the easiest ways to grab attention and they remain a favorite with designers. The use of bright shades can trigger positive emotions in users’ minds and we expect to see them in action in 2022.

4. Maximalism

‘Empty spaces’, ‘white spaces’, and ‘minimalistic designs’. If you have been following the graphic design trends for the last few years, you must have invariably come across these terms. However, maximalism isn’t bad when done right and we are likely to see this as one of the major design trends next year. 

The idea isn’t only about filling spaces but doing so with elements that blend seamlessly. Designers would fill out empty spaces in designs with different elements to deliver a powerful message. In the example below, the mosaic of colors immediately grabs eyeballs and makes users take note of the message.

5. Simple Logos

We have seen this trend for the last couple of years and for good reasons. More brands are ditching complicated logos and opting for simpler ones that look good in online and offline marketing campaigns. This design trend is expected to pick up in a big way in 2022. 

As brands constantly look to reinvent themselves with increased competition, simple logos that are easily recognizable in small and large sizes have gained popularity. This simple makeover is one of the easiest ways to infuse fresh energy into a brand and keep it relevant.

6. Twisted Fonts

There has been a conservative approach to the use of fonts in graphic design over the years. As designers experimented with images, colors, and shapes, fonts remained in oblivion in most designs. Thankfully, we have seen it change in the last couple of years and we are likely to see more graphic designers emphasize experimenting with fonts. 

The use of twisted fonts is expected to be a trend in 2022. Twisted fonts are eye-catchy and help in holding on to user attention. Here’s an example of the use of twisted fonts in the Squid Game intro. A few pulls here and there make this design stand out.

7. Escapism

There is this hidden desire in each one of us to escape having had to live through lockdowns and restrictions since the start of the pandemic. Provided with the choice, most people would like a temporary escape from their lives. The idea of escapism has found its way into graphic designing in the last few months, and designers will explore it more in the coming year. 

Much like maximalism, these designs are full of colors, artwork, and other elements that trigger different emotions in users. We expect to see designers create virtual worlds with their designs that fuel these fantastical thoughts in people and grab their eyeballs. 

Wrapping Up 

As the world comes out of the pandemic and we see increased business activity, graphic designs are expected to play an important role in driving your brand’s success. With imagery, your brand can create a space for itself in the competitive sphere. Implement the above-mentioned ideas into your marketing campaign and you’ll keep yourself ahead in the game. 

If you are looking for a team that can implement these ideas into your graphics, Growth Natives is here to help. We take pride in having one of the most enthusiastic teams of graphic designers who can produce designs that inspire confidence. We have closely worked with our customers across the world and helped them engage their clients with alluring graphical content actively. To know more about our graphic design services, write to us at info@growthnatives.com.