We have just some few days left of 2016, and I strongly believe that we have all learnt and grown in tremendous ways this year. Looking back at all the amazing ideas that have definitely improved since the previous year, I’m sure of it. But once again, it’s time to move on from another fantastic design-filled year. With a brand new year comes new opportunities to experiment, create and push the boundaries and borders of our imagination.
We want to help you start the year creating already known trending designs to ensure your portfolio is fresh and updated. A designer always has space to grow, and although nothing is set in stone yet, here are some predictions of trends that will be carried forward to the year 2017.
Flat colors have been trending since last year, and before that, gradient was out of style for a while. However, the gradient trend now is strong since its comeback last year. Designers everywhere have been utilizing this trend as there are no specific rules to apply gradients in designs. You can experiment with gradient in a variety of ways such as using it with dual tones, flat colors, as background images or even just simple elements in a design. Don’t be afraid to start experimenting with gradient. Who knows, you might create something amazing.
Mostly known to be used in logo design, negative space has become a permanent trend fixture in 2016 and will become even more prominent in 2017. It might seem like a very simple and easy design trend to adapt to, but in actuality, you need to have a good understanding of dimensions and strategic thinking to ensure that your negative space design is portrayed correctly. Once you’ve mastered this, you might even be able to generate a double meaning design in the form or a logo or other designs. It’s definitely a trend you don’t want to miss out experimenting with.
While it might seem like adding a childish element to designs, hand drawn images have been very successful this year and it looks like it’s showing no signs of slowing down. Believe it or not, hand drawn images are not an easy thing to do. It’s complex as designers have to illustrate something complicated but make it look simple. For example, designing instructions or a step-by-step with illustrations is hard because it needs to be easy to understand for everyone. This trends is a good example of how cartoons are not only for children.
This is another trend that has been around for quite some time already. Shape in general are universal and can be used in so many ways for designs; from flat shapes that decorate a simple background to really complex polygons that portray a modern effect for your designs. Geometric shapes are widely used to create brand identities and for websites due to their low bandwidth consumption. It is also a great option in place of using pictures. This is a trend you can explore in so many ways and it can help you add a lot of new ideas to your portfolio.
Have you heard the phrase “Less is More”? Well, that’s what minimalist design is all about. It brings you back to the basics; to plain backgrounds that can make elements stand out. It’s simple and clean and even though it was discovered a long time ago, it still gives a modern look to designs. It might seem easy to execute, but it actually has its science. Before getting started with minimalist design, we advise you to research about it and just like every other new design, you need to practice until you achieve your desired result.
Conclusion
Besides all the mentioned design trends, there will sure to be more up and coming trends in 2017. We will be sure to keep you updated on every design trend that emerges; but in the meantime, keep practicing these 5 trends. Who knows? These trends might even evolve into something greater, so make sure you keep your design portfolio updated with the latest trends and styles.