Graphic design is an evolving world where professional designers never stop anticipating which trends will be popular in the coming year. There are times when they get it wrong, but they at least are able to identify which styles, themes, and concepts are currently on the rise. Then, what design trend 2022 will be hot? It’s not just one but five graphic design trends. 

The 90s

From Netflix’s hit Fear Street to the return of Tamagotchi in a wristwatch, we have witnessed a lot of 90s nostalgia in the last year. Then, why does it happen now? 

It might have something to do with those in their teenage years during the 1990s and are now in control of shaping crucial decisions. Yet, there’s always something so reassuring about looking back with a wistful gaze.

Indeed, there was more than one aesthetic that manifested the 90s nostalgia. Some of the aesthetics we can relive today include simple emojis, geometric forms, vibrant color blocks, and Memphis patterns. Want to get that vintage feel? Be bold to incorporate this design trend 2022 in your next creative endeavors. 

Ukiyo-e Design

Ukiyo-e, which means “images of floating realms” in Japanese, is a printed artwork that uses carved woodblocks to create art. This form of art thrived for more than two centuries and is now encouraging many designers to revive its beauty in modern design products, namely flat vector artwork.

The Great Wave Off Kanagawa, one of the many prevalent works of this style, came with flat colors, minimal perspective methods, and stark outlines with which vector designers are familiar. Today, such designs are being employed to add an extra edge to generic flat vector images.

Parametric Patterns

Patterns are one of the essential parts of graphic design, for they can provide a background with more visual appeal. In 2022, designers will utilize parametric geometry to bring striking patterns to the fore. These patterns feature intricate structures where each line alters based on its position. 

Despite the geometric roots of this design trend 2022, the patterns are three-dimensional and flexible. In today’s graphic design world, parametric patterns are employed to portray the intricacy of specific subjects. Simply put, it adds visual appeal to basic backgrounds and provides accents to solid colors.

Anti-Design

Some rules are apparently meant to be broken when it comes to graphic design. For the past years, many creative souls have been trying to break some rules. Some even intend to completely destroy those traditional principles in 2022: meet the anti-design supporters.

As the name implies, anti-design rejects all the conventional design principles and style preferences. Suppose you have a keen eye for good design. In that case, your senses will be challenged by clashing hues, asymmetry, no-frills interfaces, and overly crowded patterns of this design trend 2022.

To the majority of critics, this design trend is nothing more than an atrocious style that doesn’t deserve to be regarded as art. However, to those who admire this bold style, it will help them produce creative projects that are free from the constraint of aesthetic standards imposed by conservative graphic designers. 

Simplified Logos

Simplicity makes everything easier to comprehend and remember. This is probably what has urged many brands to strip down and even flatten their logos to make them more adaptable for a wide variety of digital usages.

Some big brands like Spotify and Google even simplified their logos a long time ago. Many designers even still expect this trend will continue in 2022. More and more brands are expected to start experimenting with much simpler symbols. 

Maybe some are already tired of this minimalist design or despise it at all. However, it’s worth noting that a minimal design with proper color can generate a striking result. The closest example to this is the simple logomarks of Google that are so easy to recognize because of their color choice. 

Dare to Incorporate These Trends into Your Designs?

All in all, the 2022 graphic design trends are incredibly random—parametric patterns and ukiyo-e design, anti-design and the 90s, and simplified logos. They are so varied to the extent that many can hardly imagine how they could mingle. 

Regardless, all these exceptional design trends will highlight the rest of this year. Obviously, it’s totally acceptable not to try out any of the listed trends above. However, if you are daring enough, nothing hinders you from picking one design trend 2022 you find most interesting that you can get experimented with.