5 graphic design trends for 2022
The world of design is very closely linked to the ‘real’ world. What moves people and what they experience inevitably influences design trends. That’s why 2022 will be creative, youthful, eye-catching, bold and will breathe new life into the familiar. Piqued your curiosity? Excellent, because here are the graphic design trends for 2022.
1 | Pantone Colour of the Year 2022
PANTONE 17-3938 Very Peri: shades of blue with a reddish-violet undertone. For the first time in the history of the Pantone Colour of the Year programme, a completely new colour has been created. It thus symbolises change and a new beginning towards a dynamic future. Following an intense period of isolation experienced collectively across the globe, the ‘real’ world has, to some extent, merged with the digital world. Even a first glance at the colour brings hope, a sense of well-being and a positive outlook on the future – in other words, a good starting point for the year ahead!
2 | Generation Z – the young ones are coming
Millennials are slowly growing up. And adulthood is boring, especially for Generation Z, who are getting more involved in society, culture and politics than previous generations. Diversity, environmental activism, political change – the post-millennials have a clear vision of the future. All of this is influencing aesthetics, design and fashion. What used to be clean and tidy is set to become a bit more chaotic again and, above all, colourful and vibrant!
3 | BOLD, garish, pink, punk or a cyberpunk-Matrix mix
Just as the Pantone Colour of the Year heralds – things are set to get colourful. Very colourful, in fact. You could say ‘very-very peri’! Pink and neon-coloured backgrounds are replacing or complementing the previous trend for pastel colours. Everything is getting bigger, more eye-catching and a little ‘less demure’. Regardless of the font itself (see trend number 5), it is simply becoming more prominent and catching the eye (BOLD, in fact).
Cyberpunk may well sound a bit like ‘old hat’, but it’s making a comeback this year. Partly because films have a significant influence on our culture, the next instalment in the Matrix series could play its part in ensuring that, as already mentioned, the design world in 2022 will take on a rather futuristic and cyberpunk vibe, featuring shades of pink, purple and neon.
4 | Inclusion, eco-aesthetics and individually illustrated
Growing awareness of nature and environmental protection influences the choice of materials and colours. It should feel authentic and doesn’t need to be perfect down to the last pixel. Sustainability and environmentally friendly production contribute to brand building whilst also bringing a certain return to nature and, with it, a sense of calm to a world that has become increasingly hectic. Nature simply feels better, both in terms of texture and design.
Much like this message, it is now important to make a statement about inclusion through design as well. Furthermore, there is a resurgence in drawing, illustration and bespoke design. Perhaps this is also because it has been difficult to organise elaborate photo shoots in recent years.
5 | Serif – welcome back!
Despite all these changes, there appears to be a reversal of the trend in the world of typefaces. Whilst they may be large, bold and garish, classic typefaces are making a comeback. That’s not to say that sans-serif typefaces will suddenly disappear again, but perhaps they were overused to the point of monotony in the past – and to come back to the start of our 2022 graphic design trends: Generation Z is bringing about change, and serif typefaces are very much part of that.
