Laura Busche
September 2, 2021 · 6 min read
1. Activist Design
The Pew Research Institute has published several reports describing Millennials as a more politically active, ethnically diverse generation than preceding ones. These traits are important because they’ve shaped a generation of creatives who leverage design to advance social causes. The surge of thoughtfully designed feminist, environmental, and political posters are a clear evidence of this trend.

2. 1970s Bookman Serif Revivals
Even if you’ve never heard of the terms “Oldstyle Antique” or “Bookman”, you’ve most definitely interacted with these typographic styles before. Originally designed around 1858 for the Miller & Richard foundry in Scotland, Oldstyle Antique was the precursor of “Bookman Old Style”, a font you might be familiar with from using either Windows or Mac operating systems.

3. Memphis
We’ve discussed the Memphis design trend at length before, and it is expected to continue influencing all kinds of graphic design work in 2019. At its core, Memphis is a rebellion against strict grids, “good taste”, and meticulously arranged elements. The movement emerged in Milan in the 1980s, and has recently caught the interest of brand identity designers, illustrators, and web designers around the world.

4. The Return of the Old Style & Transitional Serif
Old Style typefaces first emerged between the 15th and 18th centuries but, just like the Bookman styles of the 70s (above), they’re in the middle of a major revival process. Originally developed by typographers during the Rennaisance, this style intended to replace the ornamented, gothic Blackletter look that was popular back then.
5. Procreate it All
The growing popularity of Procreate (iPad) and Procreate Pocket (iPhone) has changed the digital illustration landscape. In 2019, expect more creatives to rely on this tool to speed up their graphic design workflow. Here are some standout examples of custom Procreate brushes that facilitate various visual effects:6. Eco Packaging
Whether it’s a campaign to drop it or a massive sea life incident, it seems like plastic is permanently on the news these days. Consumers are looking for more conscious, sustainable ways to use, carry, and dispose of the goods they purchase. This behavior has encouraged brands to source biodegradable packaging materials, which in turn opens possibilities in the world of design.

7. Motion Design for Micro UX
Brands are exploring how seemingly small motion elements can contribute to their users’ overall experience. Expect to see many more subtly animated logos and user interface elements in 2019. Whether it’s as simple as an unexpected pre-loader or a striking animated hero, delightful motion is here to stay.
8. Brand Nostalgia
Nostalgia is a recurring theme in the creative world, but this particular trend is about brands pulling from their own history to design something new. Adobe recently showcased this theme when creating illustrations inspired by the brand’s 2001 physical packaging — from way back when software came in a box. You can read more about their process here.
9. Granite, Terrazzo & Tile
The pixel-perfection sought in this modern era makes rugged textures much more appealing. Granite, Terrazzo and other kinds of irregular flooring have made a resurgence in every design field, from interiors to graphics and all the way to fashion. We’ve covered the Terrazzo trend before, and it is only one of the many forms of tile that designers are pulling from to inspire compositions for web and print.10. Augmented Reality
While some are skeptical about this technology’s appeal, Augmented Reality (AR) is here to stay. Adobe recently announced Project Aero, a new tool to facilitate AR experience design. Just like interactive web design changed the marketing game around the mid-90s, AR interactions have the potential to elevate brand experiences in a way we’ve never seen before.
Any other trends you can think of?
Have you spotted any other big design themes for 2019? Share them in the comments section below.Products Seen In This Post:

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Laura Busche
Brand strategist. Creating design tools to empower creative entrepreneurs. Author of the Lean Branding book. MA in Design Management from the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD).
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