We’ve all been spending a lot of time at home over the past two years. And all of this time at home means more time for graphic designers to experiment with design. We’re discovering many design trends that happened in 2021 will continue to grow and evolve in 2022, and some new trends are appearing as well. Below is a list of a few notable trends that may continue in 2022.

A Mix of 2D and 3D Elements
2D and 3D have been trends in graphic design for many years, and designers have been coming up with ways to mix them to create unique compositions and aesthetics. These mashups offer limitless possibilities and often blur the digital and physical lines.

Fonts with a Twist
As new typefaces are developed each year, type designers are continually figuring out ways to finesse them, make them appear crisper on mobile, and become more and more unique. Typography in 2022 will break the standard and be imperfect yet beautiful at the same time. It could be a single letter being flipped or extended in a specific direction or something bigger – entire typefaces that have intricate or unique anomalies to each of the letterforms. An example from 2021 could be the typographic title treatment done for Squid Game in 2022. It could inspire more unique type treatments or typeface designs altogether.

Glass and Crystals
Last year and the year before, gold and silver 3D objects were a huge trend, such as the iconic silver ampersand created for the &Walsh agency in New York. This metallic design gives these objects a particular look and feel. This trend has shifted to 3D glass and crystals to bring graphic design to the next level.

Candy Colors 
Using bright, vibrant, almost candy-like colors helps certain brands stand out from the clutter around them, especially in the digital environment. But these colors must be used carefully, strategically and resonate with the brand using them. Designers who are great at color theory will know how to strategically use these colors to create bold and striking compositions that help businesses stand out from the rest.

Art Deco
Arguably one of the most iconic design aesthetics, art deco is making a comeback over a century after it was first developed. Visually defined with clean, strong lines, symmetrical patterns, and impeccable geometry, it stands out from the other trends as it goes against all the vivid colors, organic aesthetics, and wild movement. When we look at art deco in the 1920s, it was a direct response to the old ways of doing things. It was all about modernism, looking toward the future, quiet dignity, and resilience. With everything going on in the past couple of years, it is not surprising that this style is coming back. 

Design is constantly evolving and changing, and we must remember that design is more than just aesthetics. It reflects society’s way of thinking during different periods and is a reaction or response to what has been done in the past, whether we realize it or not.