The Top Digital Design Trends of 2019

We all love a good trend. Fashion trends, home decor trends – whatever your passion may be, it’s fascinating to learn about what’s big right now. However, part of the definition of the word trend is a change in direction. Trends come and go rapidly and, sometimes, unexpectedly.

If you hate what’s in Vogue right now, you likely don’t have to wait long, because a new trend will soon replace it. However, if you love a new trend, there are ways to incorporate them into what you’re doing in a timeless, effective and brand-positive way.

Why It’s Important to Know Design Trends

If you hate trends, it’s one thing. But it’s an entirely other thing to completely ignore them. In fact, ignoring what’s trending right now and not bothering to adapt can be hugely detrimental to your business, especially when it comes to design trends.

Design is the building block of a brand. You could have a great product, but if your website or your brand features poor or out-of-date design, customers won’t stick around long. You’ll appear out of date – even if your product is not. After all, perception is reality. Designers look to trends as inspiration as well, molding those trends and making them their own to fit their unique individual styles.

As mentioned above, however, it can be fairly risky to base your brand redesign on a trend. After all, trends come and go, and you don’t want your brand to go stale. That’s why it’s important to incorporate that trend into your design in your own way to prevent complete design overhaul in a few years.

Let’s talk about three types of design trends: graphic design, logo design and font design – the three building blocks of a well-designed site.

Types of Design Trends

Graphic Design Trends

With an increased focus on user experience and interactive design comes the 3D design trend. This trend creates a unique experience for customers, allowing them to get involved with your product on a different plane. We see 3D design everywhere, it seems, and brands like IKEA, Shopify, L’Oreal, Snapchat and Adidas are all jumping on board. Design your room in 3D with IKEA’s Home and Kitchen Planner or check out exactly how that new lipstick will look on you with L’Oreal’s YouCam Makeup app.

Gone are the days of flat color palettes and gray scale – at least for now. In 2019, brands are using bright colors and gradients throughout their branding efforts, enhancing images and grabbing attention. It just makes sense: consumers are being bombarded with brand messaging and advertisements every day, so brands have to do their best to stand out. This trend is reminiscent of the ’70s, when colors like red, orange and mustard reigned. Apple’s Macbook Air and Spotify are utilizing these ’70s hues effectively.

Logo Design Trends

When we think of a brand, we typically think of their logo. The Nike swoosh, the golden arches of McDonald’s; these are iconic, immediately recognizable logos. In 2019, logos are being created with a few things in mind. One is the logo’s responsiveness: if a logo doesn’t make sense when it’s blown up on a billboard, or if it’s not legible on a small mobile screen, it’s not effective. Make sure your logo is responsive and works in all formats and sizes.

Another 2019 logo design trend is the use of negative space. You can cleverly use negative space to add a second meaning to your logo. Think of FedEx’s logo and the arrow created by the white space between the E and X. Formula 1 also uses negative space effectively – you might not even notice the subtle 1 in the logo.

There’s a clear difference between standing out and making sure your logo is noticeable, and making a cluttered, busy and confusing logo. Many brands are using geometric shapes – pairing vibrant colors and friendly compositions – to create a cohesive image out of many shapes. The result is clean, eye-catching and simple.

Font Design Trends

Fonts – like your logo, a font can be extremely memorable. Think of the font choices by Disney and Netflix; two examples of a strong and enduring font choice. In 2019, minimal sans serif fonts are popular, and plenty of iconic brands have been redesigning their logos to match that minimalist trend. Dunkin’, formerly Dunkin’ Donuts, dropped the second word and got rid of the coffee cup. Rolling Stone removed the white and black outline, opting for a flat red logo. Mailchimp scrapped the script in favor of a sans serif, all-lowercase font. Minimal sans serif fonts feel contemporary, clean and bold.

Continuing the trend of loudness – without sacrificing cleanliness – is the extra bold trend. Brands want to be loud and dramatic; they want to be noticed. Extra bold fonts can visually expand your message and are easily scaled, so they work in print as well as computers and mobile phones.

However, contemporary and clean isn’t the only way to do it. Plenty of brands are going the opposite direction in a radical way by selecting vintage and nostalgic fonts. These fonts are detailed, eye-catching and allow the customer to interact with them by keeping their attention. Vintage and nostalgic fonts can be perfectly used in conjunction with those ’70s hues. Vintage fonts evoke memories and take consumers back in time. Plus, they’re classic and timeless.

How to Incorporate Trends Into Your Brand

If you’re ready to incorporate new design trends into your brand, there are a few things to consider and test out before making the switch. Of course, you’ll first want to consider the impact the rebranding will have, and what the goal of the rebranding is. However, here are a few steps to successfully rebrand using contemporary trends.

Update Your Brand Book

First, determine which of the new trends – and how many of them – you want to take on. Try not to muddle your brand by integrating every single trend, or you may be facing yet another rebrand in a few years after the trends go cold.

Update Your Website

Once everything is designed and ready to launch, update everything, starting with your website. Your website is likely the last point of contact with your customers, so you don’t want your customers confused by a differently branded website than what they see elsewhere.

Update Your Social Media Channels

Now, update your social media accounts. This will clue your customers in to the new rebrand and get them familiarized with your new look.

Update Marketing Efforts

Finally, update all of your marketing; advertising, press releases, anything that your clients will see outside of your website and social media presence. If your ads don’t match your new look, it can confuse customers and hurt the trust you’ve established with them.

Should Your Brand Take on the Trends?

There are plenty of reasons to rebrand. If you feel your brand is being overlooked, your conversions have plateaued or you’re getting surpassed by competitors, it might be time to reconsider a rebrand. However, a rebrand can be time consuming. That’s why, here at Blue Laser Digital, we can help you effectively rebrand in a way that’s cost effective, exciting and true to your brand. Let us help direct you toward the right path and create a fresh look for your brand.