This year’s graphic design trends impress with a mix of minimalism, nostalgia and humanity. We will introduce you to all 10 trends including examples.
How can brands strengthen their online presence in 2025 and stand out from the competition with an individual appearance? One way is to use clever design elements that look unique and contemporary at the same time. This year’s graphic design trends provide the necessary inspiration VistaPrint analyzed by Vista together with the global designer community of 99designs.
1. Contrasting combinations
This trend impresses with the deliberate combination of different fonts and colors. This creates a visual impression that is reminiscent of the 90s and yet still appears fresh and modern. In particular, social media campaigns and packaging designs that are intended to impress with a dynamic and eye-catching look come into their own with this trend.
2. Handmade time travel
Scrapbooking – a trend that inspires many people analogue, is also convincing in the digital world. Brands that want to express their authenticity visually can add a personal touch to their designs with hand-drawn elements and creative collages including nostalgic details.
3. Minimalism meets retro flair
This trend also brings back memories: brands in the tech sector in particular can use muted colors, geometric shapes and icons that are reminiscent of the beginnings of computer design to revive a charming retro flair that combines innovation with authenticity.
4. Human instead of artificial
In times of increasing ubiquity of artificial intelligence in various areas of daily life, many people long for more humanity – including in the design impressions that surround them. Brands can fulfill this desire by incorporating artisanal and natural elements such as fingerprints or brush strokes, consciously choosing not to strive for synthetic perfection.
5. Playful and down to earth
Brands that want to go one step further and impress with a playful look can rely on designs that are reminiscent of the creativity of children’s drawings. This trend can be implemented by integrating a colorful, hand-drawn look.
6. Revival of 1920s aesthetics
The glamor aesthetic of the 1920s was already making the rounds at the beginning of the 2020s – now it is already celebrating its revival and impresses once again with bold fonts, bright colors and dark backgrounds that emphasize elegance and drama.
7. Express sustainability visually
The ideal choice for brands that (want to) focus on sustainability is to incorporate organic elements into the digital world. Flowing shapes that are reminiscent of plants and water can be used for this; as well as earthy color palettes and textures reminiscent of natural elements.
8. Minimalism with a twist
In the design world, minimalism and maximalism shake hands every few years – is the raw charm of minimalism popular again? Yes, but with a twist: combining clean lines and simplified layouts with bold fonts and contrasting colors, minimalism is given a fresh, modern look.
9. Scandi style meets Japanese look
Japanese minimalism combined with Scandinavian functionality: this combination, known as Japandi, ensures a timeless elegance that gives brands a harmonious, calm image. Key elements of the trend include soft color palettes, simple designs with clear functionality and natural textures.
10. Subtle AI support
AI has also long since found its way into graphic design. But in order not to lose authenticity, the support provided by artificial intelligence should remain subtle and ideally be reduced to minor optimizations. This way you can avoid an overly artificial look.
Patrick LlewellynVP of Digital and Design Services at VistaPrint, summarizes the core idea of 2025 graphic design trends as follows:
Understated aesthetics will be at the heart of design trends in 2025, but they’re anything but boring. Amid global uncertainties, designers are finding comfort in going back to basics – but with a dash of grit. From subtle, handcrafted textures with a raw edge to simple, uneven shapes in intense, acidic colors, these trends create a subtle balance between minimalism and maximalism that highlights the individuality of brands.
When it comes to design, it is not only important to appear authentic and contemporary, but also to be as barrier-free as possible. You can find out what companies need to know about the new Accessibility Strengthening Act in the article linked below.
Accessibility from 2025:
What companies need to know about the new law and digital accessibility
Source: onlinemarketing.de
