With 2022 nearly gone, it’s time to gaze into our crystal balls and see what graphic design trends will reign supreme in 2023. The past year brought a lot of changes to the industry — especially with both the surprising rise of actual Metaverse usage and the application of AI technology in creating art. Here’s what we’re anticipating for 2023:
1. Bold, expressive typography
Typography is a controversial space with two warring groups — typography purists and those who want to create chaos with fonts. Thanks to accessible font software like Glyphs, it’s easier for people to create ridiculous fonts with ease. And, thanks to TikTok, young devil-may-care graphic designers are sharing their fonts with the world. In 2023, expect a double-down on these absolutely ridiculous rule-breaking fonts. Consider using them if your brand wants a splash of personality or fun.
2. Creative fulfillment options
Those filled boxes sent to prospects? Those are making a comeback! This is likely due to a push away from digital tools post-pandemic and a movement toward physical connections with a target audience.
3. Custom typography
Piggybacking off the whimsy of the previous post, 2023 will likely see a lot of brands reimaging their type. Handlettering is peppering into brand logos more.
4. Neon maximalism
Previous years saw a lean toward Victorian-style maximalism. Cluttered design with classic font options. However, with Gen Z coming into the job market, expect neon colors and bold fonts that scream “more is more” with a 70s flare.
5. Minimalism, but make it vintage
Remember the classic, sleek look of a 1960s library card? That’s the goal for the up-and-coming minimal vintage style. It’s not inherently vintage, but it takes notes of the quiet color palettes or style types from a particular decade. It evokes nostalgia but only to elevate a brand instead of celebrating the decade.
6. Photography
Yes, the full-page photo spreads of the early 2000s are back! People are coming back into focus. It’s a great way to create design elements that speak both in print and online.
7. 3D illustrations
This might seem like a shock, given that if photography is trending, illustrations take a back seat and vice versa. However, with a variety of free graphic design tools at the public’s disposal, we’ve seen a rise in 3D illustrations — both whimsical ones and those that use photography.
8. Jewel tones
We’re excited for this one! After a few seasons of pastels, we’re moving into richer colors like crimson, burnt orange, forest green and deep blues. These tones evoke a more refined and sensual feel. They also harken back to some of the vintage themes we’re seeing elsewhere.
9. Condensed sans serif type
Roam the ‘new release’ shelves at your favorite bookstore and you’ve probably seen this trend. Condensed typefaces have an aggressive feel to them, so they’re often paired with muted color schemes. They evoke a sci-fi feel (and are used on some recent science fiction novel covers), so consider a condensed sans serif type if you want an elevated, sleek, forward-thinking look.
Those are our 8 biggest predictions for 2023! Did any of these strike your fancy? We can help you integrate these trends into your next print project! From direct mailers to large-format printing, the team at Xerographic has you covered. We’re Central Florida’s leading digital printing facility. Leave us a note on our contact page or call us at 407-490-0690.
