8 Graphic Design Trends That Will Continue to Grow in 2022

With digital and social media marketing continuing their world domination, graphic design is as valuable as ever. However, as we navigate the futuristic 2020s, designers must adapt to the times. Now that it's 2022, the trends of yesteryear are no longer going to cut it.

So, to help us prepare for the year and the decade ahead, we wanted to look at eight burgeoning trends poised to become mainstays in the industry. We're interested in seeing how each of these trends will play out and which ones will stick around the longest. Regardless, if you're a graphic designer, here's what you should be focused on right now.

Inclusive Designs

Diversity and inclusivity have quickly become a dominant trend in the media at large, not just graphic design. Everything from books, comics, TV shows, movies, and more are becoming more diverse and representing a much broader spectrum of the population.

So, what does that mean for graphic designers? Here are some tips on how to make content more inclusive:

• Diverse Models - Whether you're using photos or graphics, your model pool needs to be much broader and include individuals from the BIPOC (Black/Indigenous/People of Color) diaspora. Everything from hairstyles to clothing and accessories needs to incorporate other ethnicities and backgrounds as much as possible.

• Inclusive Language - Designers must know how language can affect the audience. Inclusivity doesn't just mean adding various races and ethnicities but also including members of the LGBTQ+ community as well. As society becomes more aware of various groups, designers need to include them in their pieces.

• Cultural Sensitivity - There's a fine line between cultural appreciation and appropriation, and graphic designers have to be able to straddle the line well. These days, designers are expected to know at least a little about other cultures and their elements before incorporating them into ads and other marketing materials.

Branded Memes

We've come a long way from the old days of memes. Now, virtually everyone has jumped on the bandwagon, and brands are no exception. However, just because companies are embracing memes doesn't mean that users are as well.

If you're interested in utilizing memes to market your company, you have to be aware that the plan can backfire quickly if you don't do it right. Here are some ways to make memes work without eliciting groans from your audience:

• Be Clever - The entire point of a meme is to frame something familiar in a fresh and exciting way. So, you have to get pretty creative to make a template land. Basically, don't just put information into a meme - aim for wit and relevance above all else.

• Be Authentic - Authenticity has become a crucial selling point for companies to engage with customers, and branded memes are no exception. In this case, you need to focus on the purpose of the meme. If you're just trying to cash in on a trend, users can see through that immediately. However, if the meme speaks to a genuine aspect of your business, it's more likely to get positive traction.

• Be Timely - The biggest problem with memes is that they move at lightning speed. On average, a popular meme template will make the rounds for about a month (maybe two) before becoming "old." Some versions can stick around for longer, but it's pretty rare. So, don't use memes that were popular last season - scour sites like Reddit to see what's popular right now and strike while the iron's hot.

Bold Colors and Patterns

A substantial challenge that modern graphic designers face is so much more competition. As visual design tools have become more accessible, the talent pool has expanded exponentially, making it harder for brands to stand out.

One way to break through the noise is to utilize bold, contrasting shapes, colors, and patterns. Fortunately, we're in the middle of a 90's revival, so this trend can capitalize on two trendy elements at once. Pastel colors and "loud" patterns can offer a decidedly retro vibe while adding something new to the conversation.

Overall, the goal of this trend is to make content more eye-catching on a user's news feed. Since modern consumers are used to scrolling endlessly, designers have to develop pieces that will stick out and make someone want to stop and take a closer look.

Serif Fonts

When the internet was still new, serif fonts quickly faded into obscurity because they were harder to read on digital devices. Now that society has embraced and adapted to the digital age, serifs are no longer a graphic design "faux pas." Instead, serif fonts offer a timeless feel that's impossible to replicate with futuristic, sans serif options.

The other motivation behind this trend is the same as using bold colors - since sans serif text has been the norm for so long, serif lettering stands out more easily. When push comes to shove, adding a few flourishes can be the difference between a click and a pass.

AI Growth

In some ways, it kind of feels like technology has hit a major plateau. New devices and gadgets are simply remixes of existing tech or mashups of two unique items. It's hard for tech companies to break new ground until something revolutionary comes along.

These days, the closest thing we have to a real game-changer is the proliferation of artificial intelligence and machine learning systems. In the world of graphic design, AI is delivering on a few fronts one of the big trends we have seen in this area are AI Logo Makers.

It wasn't too long ago that companies had to hire freelance designers or a graphic design firm to develop a branded logo. These days logo maker systems enable businesses of all sizes to input some data points and get a polished, professional logo in seconds.

As this tech develops further, logo creation may no longer be part of the graphic designer's portfolio.

Social Integration

It's no secret that social media platforms are a considerable part of everyone's life now. So, businesses have to keep up with social engagement to succeed.

Social integration can show up in graphic design in a few different ways, such as:

• User Reviews - It's never been easier to pull positive feedback from users on various platforms. You can start quoting people from sites like Twitter and Facebook without having to pay big bucks for "expert" insight.

• Platform-Ready Materials - Most users scroll through social media on their mobile devices, meaning vertical content is often preferable to horizontal. So, graphic designers need to keep that in mind when developing new pieces. Technology also allows designers to adjust their content automatically based on the size of a user's screen.

• Post Screencaps - Now, you can incorporate actual social media posts into your marketing materials. These posts can be from customers, fans, or your company account. Better yet, with digital ads, you can link to these posts and your profiles directly for better synergy.

Authenticity

As we mentioned, consumers are much more focused on authentic interactions with businesses. Gone are the days of a company selling products in exchange for money. Well, that still happens, but now brands have to be less direct about it. Customers care more about a business' mission statement than its bottom line.

But, how can graphic designers incorporate authenticity? Here are some options:

• Transparency - Marketing materials can show what happens behind the scenes at the company. Ads can show workers on the job to help humanize the brand.

• Unique Visuals - Users will keep moving if your designs look like stock footage or cookie-cutter templates. Usually, the medium itself offers uniqueness, such as hand-drawn characters or proprietary photos.

• Responsibility - Companies that exploit workers and/or the environment are demonized quickly. So, designers can showcase the positive impacts that a business has on others to help customers connect more easily.

Data Visualizations

In addition to living in the digital age, everyone is awash with information. Now that smartphones empower individuals to access data instantly, designers need to figure out creative ways to process and display those details.

Infographics are a graphic design staple, but modern designers are going deeper and further into this trend. Basically, infographics are no longer relegated to educational content. Now, anything can be an infographic, including the lineages of fictional characters or the types of foods that pair best with specific wines.

Although 2022 has just begun, these trends are already poised to substantially impact the industry. So how will you be incorporating them into your marketing strategy?

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Graphic Design