With the year barely under way, I’m venturing a preview of the elements and creative techniques the best graphic designs of 2021 will use, with this article setting out what the graphic design trends of 2021 will be.
If you want this valuable information, all you have to do is read this article where, very clearly and simply, I walk through what the 6 graphic design trends of 2021 will be.
The structure is very simple:
- Graphic design trend
- Explanation
- 3 examples of this trend in use
- Uses of this graphic design trend
- Tips for applying it
By the end you’ll be able to analyse any winning graphic design project and spot the techniques that carried it to success.
This article is a summary of the one written on Code Barcelona analysing the graphic design trends of 2021.
- Abstract shapes
- Monster typos
- Semi-realistic illustration
- Colour Contrast
- Lettering and one-of-a-kind typefaces
- Overlay and shadow
The graphic design trends of 2020
1. Abstract shapes
A direct descendant of the Bauhaus school, the use of abstract geometric shapes will be one of the elements we see most in graphic design during 2021.
From next year on we’ll see many projects where abstract shapes take a leading role in the product.
Abstract shapes also bring in 3D design and the use of abstract materials, digital or real.
And now, three more examples of this graphic design trend to give you some creative inspiration.
Graphic design projects using this trend
- The Monitor Display – Typeface by Diana Ferreira
- The Sonnyfive typeface by Sándor
- The Sonnyfive typeface by Sándor
Where you can use it
This trend will be everywhere in web design and poster design, but we’ll be able to apply it in corporate graphic design too.
- Poster design
- Editorial design
- Landing page design
- Web design
- Print poster design
- Corporate material design
- Web design
- Poster design
- Flyer design
- Print poster design
- Editorial design
- Commercial design
- Landing pages
- Packaging
Tips for using it
- Abstract shapes are very appealing and have to mean something to the maker
- Plan the project in 3D
- Finish the project by combining this technique with another from this list — you’ll be blown away!
2. Monster typos
The graphic design trend of using large, almost monstrous type will be the culmination of three years in which typography has swept up every creative award on the planet.
With monster typos we can capture the viewer’s attention in several ways: through content and meaning, and through form and arrangement.
Full-screen type will dominate the best web designs of 2021. And printers won’t have paper big enough to hold these designs.
Here are 3 examples of this graphic design trend that will be a good source of inspiration for you.
Graphic design projects using this trend
- Foolish by Luvburn
- Monitor Display by Diana Ferreira
- Synticate by Stepan Solodkov
Where you can use it
This trend will be everywhere in web design and poster design, but we’ll be able to apply it in corporate graphic design too.
- Poster design
- Editorial design
- Landing page design
- Web design
- Print poster design
- Corporate material design
- Web design
- Poster design
- Flyer design
- Print poster design
- Editorial design
- Commercial design
- Landing pages
- Packaging
Tips for using it
- With great type comes great responsibility
- Pay attention to the typeface you choose, since it can make or break the whole design
- Monster typos communicate through meaning and through form
3. Semi-realistic illustration
Another of the cornerstones of this list of graphic design trends for 2021 is semi-realistic illustration.
The aim is a graphic design with a very personal, handcrafted feel achieved through real images and photographs.
Semi-realistic illustration can be done by hand or digitally and produces results that are very appealing to viewers, who for a few milliseconds find themselves in front of something they can’t quite place.
With this kind of technique you can create something that would be impossible for a simple photograph.
And now, three more examples of this graphic design trend to give you some creative inspiration.
Graphic design projects using this trend
- 2020 – Year of exploration by Kacper Swat
- Quai 54 by Caroline Blanchet
- Bird Illustration by Filip Pasierbek
Where you can use it
This trend will be everywhere in editorial and commercial design, but it’ll show up in:
- Poster design
- Editorial design
- Landing page design
- Web design
- Print poster design
- Corporate material design
- Web design
- Poster design
- Flyer design
- Print poster design
- Editorial design
- Commercial design
- Landing pages
- Packaging
Tips for using it
- If you want to learn, start by practising over photographs, tracing and adding elements.
- A good result is a combination of a good photograph and good technique.
- Colour and the maker’s point of view are essential.
4. Colour contrast
Contrast is one of the cornerstones of graphic design and is part of every work of art.
Colour contrast establishes hierarchy and organises the design, guiding the viewer’s eye towards the elements that matter most to us.
The graphic design trend of 2021 we’ll see in the year’s best work is the use of colour contrast with wild, heightened combinations.
The aim is to create a design that grabs the viewer’s attention; the only difficulty we’ll face is keeping the balance between the elements of the design.
Get ready to see graphic design where colour contrast blows your senses wide open.
Take a look at the examples of this graphic design trend for some creative inspiration.
Graphic design projects using this trend
- Port Typeface by OnRepeat Studio
- Resonance by Lucas Wakamatsu
- Tipography set V by Rus Khasanov
Where you can use it
You can apply this graphic design trend to almost any medium, but we think it fits perfectly with:
- Web design
- Poster design
- Flyer design
- Print poster design
- Editorial design
- Commercial design
- Landing pages
- Packaging
Tips for using it
- Pay attention to the colours you use in the combination.
- Mix more than one colour range and combine colours.
- Combine colours with different textures and finishes.
5. Lettering and one-of-a-kind typefaces
As a creative and graphic designer I love the rise typography has enjoyed lately, but there’s one case where you won’t find a single creative worthy of the name, and that’s using a typeface that merely pretends to be handmade.
For that there’s already a highly sought-after kind of professional: lettering artists, experts in creating typefaces by hand that are, of course, entirely personal.
One of the graphic design trends of 2021 will be the use of one-of-a-kind typefaces in graphic design.
These designs will be very personal, with a striking visual charge.
And now, three more examples of this graphic design trend to give you some creative inspiration.
Graphic design projects using this trend
- Ju Schnee Illustrations by Ju Schnee
- Grillography Fredrik Melby
- Galeries Lafayette – Démesurément Moi
Where you can use it
This graphic design trend will be everywhere in web design and poster design, but we’ll also be able to apply it in:
- Poster design
- Editorial design
- Landing page design
- Web design
- Print poster design
- Corporate material design
Tips for using it
- Take the time to find a good lettering artist
- Look carefully into their work and how they work
- You can learn it, but it’ll take a lot of time and dedication
6. Overlay and shadow
Overlay and shadow are two techniques used to create depth and dynamism in a design.
Combining these two techniques well gives us endless creative possibilities for leaving the viewer floored.
The graphic design trend in 2021 will be work built around this technique.
On we go with three more examples of this graphic design trend to give you some creative inspiration.
Graphic design projects using this trend
- Greek Graphic Design Illustrations Awards by Beetroot Design
- Mystic Seoul by Song Hojong
- Silo theatre 2020 Campaing by Seachange Studio
Where you can use it
This trend will be everywhere in web design and poster design, but we’ll be able to apply it in corporate graphic design too.
- Poster design
- Editorial design
- Landing page design
- Web design
- Print poster design
- Corporate material design
- Web design
- Poster design
- Flyer design
- Print poster design
- Editorial design
- Commercial design
- Landing pages
- Packaging
Tips for using it
- Play with different colour ranges and colour combinations
- Overlays can take several forms: of shape, of colour….
- Shadow can be your ally in finishing off the shape of your project
Summary for slackers
- Abstract shapes: break the traditional lines and build your own reality
- Monster typos: communicate at the top of your voice
- Semi-realistic illustration: build a new reality out of images and drawing
- Colour Contrast: throw out the colour rulebook
- Lettering and one-of-a-kind typefaces: can you learn to make your own typeface?
- Overlay and shadow: front and back — where does one end and the other begin?
Note: this article is based on the list of graphic design trends Code Barcelona publishes each year.
Related work
If you are looking to apply any of this to a specific brand:
