2019 Graphic Design Trends to Watch

The world of marketing design is constantly changing, and staying on top of these trends in your own marketing strategies is a must if you want to be successful. Fortunately, we’ve done some of the hard work for you by compiling a list of what we believe will be some of the top digital design trends 2019.

1. An End to Stock Photos

Say goodbye to that costly stock photo subscription service. Instead, you’re now better off taking your own photos to use for your website and other marketing materials. Using your own genuine photos instead of stock images is a great way to make your brand appear more authentic. Of course, this doesn’t mean you should be taking blurry photos with your cell phone camera and posting them to your company site; invest in a quality camera and learn some basic editing for the best results.

2. Fresh New Fonts

It’s time to retire those boring old fonts, such as Arial and Times New Roman. Instead, incorporating bold and fresh new fonts into your marketing materials (both print and digital) is a must. Bold fonts will help your brand stand out from your competition. Just be sure not to overdo it by using too many different fonts or selecting a font that’s difficult to read, as this is one of the most common graphic design trends to avoid.

3. Bold Colors and Shapes

When it comes to graphic design trends 2019 predictions, bold colors and shapes are in. This includes the use of retro shapes and more “chaotic” color schemes. Mastering this trend in your own marketing plans will require a little bit of trial and error; try putting together some shapes, colors, or patterns that you wouldn’t expect to go together. You might be surprised at the results!

4. Natural Elements

The use of natural elements in both digital and print marketing is sure to be a highlight of the illustration trends 2019. The use of earthy materials (such as twine and burlap, for example) in your print marketing campaigns may appeal to a wider audience than ever before.

5. Minimalist Design

When it comes to 2019 graphic design trends, less is more. When designing the front page of your website, keep things simple. Having too much clutter can confuse your site visitors and is actually likely to scare them off. Instead, stick with a design that is distraction-free and has lots of straight, clean lines.

6. Two-Tone Color Schemes

If bold and wild colors don’t really call to you, consider a two-tone color scheme for your next marketing campaign instead. The duotone trend first emerged in 2017, but it is expected to become increasingly popular in 2019 and beyond. When choosing a two-tone color scheme, focus on choosing a single color “theme” and then pair it with a complementary shade for visual appeal.

7. User-Friendly Focus

Last but not least, web design trends 2019 are all about user-friendliness—so as you’re re-visiting your website, be sure to focus on the layout and make sure it is easy to navigate. You might even consider conducting some usability studies to figure out where there’s room for improvement. The easier it is for users to find what they need on your site, the better their opinion of your brand will be and the more likely they’ll be to come back.

In a nutshell, these are our predictions of the top print and digital design trends 2019:

• no more stock photos
• focus on fonts
• bold shapes and color pairings
• use of natural elements
• minimalist design
• two-tone color schemes
• user-friendly focus

Looking for help incorporating these emerging trends into your marketing strategy? Ballantine is here to help! Contact us today to get started.

*Note: This is an updated version of our previous blog post, “7 Emerging Marketing Design Trends in 2017.” Check out the original post below!*

2017 is already proving itself to be quite a dynamic year, inciting conversations around the globe. In the marketing world, designers are strutting their stuff, creating beautiful websites and print collateral that oversteps the bounds by which it’s been held for years. The design trends that are taking over this calendar year are sure to leave a lasting impression on audiences.  What’s going on? Here’s a look!

 

1. Retro Shapes & Shades

Print media will take a page from the days when ’80s & ’90s hair bands and big bangs roamed the earth.

It’ll be characterized by:

• Bold colors and chaotic shapes
• Wild patterns that probably weren’t originally intended to go together
• A crazy array of stripes, solids, and textures strategically tossed together

Examples:
http://www.writesketchand.com/shop
http://www.vibe.com/2016/08/frank-ocean-boys-dont-cry-zine

 

2. Dynamic Design via Movement

Interactivity is taking a substantial turn in the web design world. 2017 will see motion design like never before, giving brands deeper meaning to their audiences as they invite them on an experiential journey.

• Consumers will start to see web design that:
• Creates a main focal point
• Provides dynamic elements, even within otherwise static web pages
• Introduces subtly pervasive content that lends itself to a deeper customer journey

Example:
https://www.propointgraphics.com/blog/6-design-trends-to-watch-in-2017

 

3. Maximized Minimalism

As some designers are going wild with their designs, others are maximizing minimalism with extremely simple web pages that are built on neutral palettes and free of distractions.
With maximized minimalism, complexity is simplified with a website that:

• Is comprised of very straight, clean lines
• Favors a single-shade color scale such as black and white in lieu of vibrant hues
• Is incredibly easy to navigate as a result of the images and minimal amount of words found on its pages

Examples:
https://www.behance.net/gallery/27029327/Visual-identity-of-Kaunas-1st-music-school
http://www.mathieuboulet.com

 

4. Real Photos will Replace Stock Photos

Old school stock photos are becoming as extinct as the T-Rex. Whether images are being used for printed direct marketing collateral, web pages, or email blasts, those plastic-looking people with fake smiles are rapidly being replaced with images created by professional photographers.

• Freelance photography platforms are taking over the web, offering businesses an enormous array of images to suit their every need
• Action shots and meaningful images will replace cookie-cutter images
• Depth and emotion in photos will become an essential ingredient in the content marketing mix

Examples:
https://www.eyeem.com
https://www.snapwi.re/invest

 

5. Duotones Set the Stage for 2017

Two-tone color schemes look cool and contemporary without adding a ton of clutter. With complementary shades that add just enough pizzazz to create eye-catching appeal, both web and print design will see an interesting mix of simple-yet-explosive color palettes.
Expect to see:

• Almost-but-not-quite monotone-esque content creations
• Bold colors accompanied by hue-enhancing filters
• A single color theme with a secondary shade that adds an interesting element to the design

Example:
https://ausdesignradio.com

 

6. Bold Font & Interesting Typography

Times New Roman had its moment in the sun, but it’s time for creative fonts to step up to the plate. Anchor pages will begin to showcase bold, interesting fonts that have personalities all their own.

• Bold typography works best when:
• Minimalist design is used
• The font is intriguing, yet still legible
• It personifies the brand and character of the company it’s representing

Example:
https://www.bigyouth.fr/en

 

7. Modular Design

Easy usability is a hallmark of things businesses need to do to make Google love them. If a site’s navigation isn’t user-friendly, folks will bounce (thus creating high bounce rates,) and web crawlers may find it difficult to wade through the murky website waters.

• Modular design provides an interface that’s:
• Easy for the user to understand and navigate
• Is visually appealing without being overwhelming

Example:
http://waaark.com

Not sure which design trend will work best for your business? Ballantine is here to help! Reach out to us, and let us show you how to truly become a marketing trendsetter.