5 graphic design trends for 2023
What makes designers jolt awake in the middle of the night, drenched in sweat? “What actually is this year’s Pantone colour, and what trends can we expect?” And, unfortunately, you’ve no idea! What might be a creatively invented answer? “Well, something down-to-earth that still aims high – back-to-the-roots, so to speak, and off into the future. Relying on old retro values and really pushing the boundaries of the colour palette. Clean, flat with 3D, the courage to embrace imperfection, and a touch of futurism!” The amazing thing is, somehow this answer actually makes sense… Inflation, uncertainty, the post-pandemic era (or is it not?!) and mixed feelings when looking to the future. These are challenging times, and that’s exactly what designers are doing this year: rebelling and getting to know the unknown.
1 | Pantone Colour of the Year 2023
PANTONE 18-1750 Viva Magenta: Straight from the red colour family, this colour symbolises rebellion, strength, optimism, courage and fearlessness. Amidst a period of great technological progress, it also offers a sense of grounding, inspired by nature. A return, so to speak, to the things that really matter. Back to the roots that offer something to hold on to in uncertain times.
2 | Virtually everything, really
It is the contrasts, the limits of what is possible, that are shaping the design trends for 2023. The world out there has gone mad, and that is exactly what should happen with this year’s design too. It doesn’t have to be realistic, but the unrealistic can certainly be portrayed very realistically. Science fiction elements, 3D avatars and stickers, plasticine figures with a bold embrace of imperfection and garish colours. In fact, nothing is off the table this year – just like in the real world out there.
3 | The 70s, the 80s, stickers – but also well into the future
What worked in the past – and at a time when it felt as though everything was better – should work again today. Black outlines in graphics and the Memphis style from the 80s, but this time in 3D. Contrasting colours, abstract geometry – but in 2023, this is complemented by an extra dimension and expanded into something sci-fi-esque. No one knows what the future holds, but it should at least look as though it does right now. In the past, everything was covered in stickers; today it’s the same, but digitally. What works in Instagram Stories can actually work in any design. The main thing is that it’s colourful and eye-catching.
4 | Clean, minimalist and a surrealist journey
Whilst some trends seem to be getting completely out of hand, 3D elements, on the other hand, will be presented in an extremely minimalist style. Limited to the bare essentials, with a clear message, clean and easy to interpret – almost like something out of a children’s book. Even a plasticine-style look, with figures created digitally to look as if they’ve been hand-modelled, will be on show. With all its imperfections, suggested shapes and colours.
Speaking of things getting out of hand: extreme surrealism – the complete antithesis of clean design – will also dominate in 2023. There will be no rules regarding shapes, colours or dimensions. There is no logic here, and sometimes not even a message. You could almost describe it as a design hallucination.
5 | Serif – still there, but different
2022 saw the return of serif typefaces, and they’re still going strong. But in this wild year of 2023, they’re not about to go quietly. Liquid design: a play on the shape of letters, with text flowing seamlessly into the image. There’s a playful approach to type, which will bring plenty of creativity and unpredictability. Only one thing is certain: type will be very LARGE.
