Like Lava Studio has always been interested in trend hunting, this is a short take on selected trends of 2022.
1. The General Reaction
2. The Trending Colors
3. Extravagant Aesthetics
4. Typography
5. Print Technique Artefacts
6. 3D NFT Metaverse
1. The General Reaction
Another year of Covid and isolation has ended and the public's reaction is either nostalgia for the good times before it happened or imagining a new brighter future. In some cases we see the combination of both. The popular topics are being at peace with oneself without outward distractions and reuniting with friends, family and communities. Environmental questions are also at the forefront with the opposition or joining of technology and nature. Also the NFT and Metaverse utopia is a strong influence. Aesthetically we see all this in the opposition in the clashing and joining of handmade and 3D rendered.
https://www.behance.net/gallery/134836861/2021-Illustrations
Design keeps individual artistic expression and takes it even further this year. 2021 saw the rise of handmade illustration styles, as technology gets more powerful the designs become more detailed and maximalist. Intricate detail is used in 3D with textures and models and also in flat design through surface materials and intricate graphic patterns.
https://www.behance.net/gallery/134745173/Coca-Cola-Chinese-New-Year
2. The Trending Colors
The colors reflect the stress of Covid by expressing depression or opposing it with optimistic and saturated colors. Brighter colors and neon are used as device screens are more capable than ever. Shades of bright green are a strong choice. The brighter colors are often paired into multicolor gradient maps or paired with a realistic feeling texture. As an opposing reaction to vivid colors contrasting black and white and other monochrome and duotone palettes are used.
https://www.instagram.com/kuchuk_design/
There's also a special place for nostalgia for the way it used to be before and the longing for it to return. This can be seen in retro color palettes mostly all forms of pastels. These usually modest tones shine brighter than ever on device screens. No specific era is referred to in nostalgia, but Memphis Group, nineties, and the start of the 20th century illustration is a strong influence. Often the palette is used for big colorspaces and paired with retro style of illustration and photography.
3. The Extravagant Aesthetic
The most watched Netflix show of last year was Squidgame, which is a perfect example of extravagant aesthetics with its pink jumpsuits, different masks and the huge doll. Gen Z has grown up with the internet and because of this has a stronger interest and tolerance for everything weird. They are the fastest growing demographic for trendy goods. Celebration of individuality will be taken to its limits, as people miss experiencing the rainbow of human weirdness. The microcosms of different people rise to the forefront either through written or drawn sketches and worlds. We can see this in doodles, fonts, shapes, asymmetric and broken layouts and in everything that conveys individuality. The standards of classic, symmetric, institutional design will be challenged on each front. There has never been a more broad range of references and styles trending at the same time.
4. Typography
The fonts are anything but invisible and instead they will be as expressive as possible. The trend of handwritten fonts continues to show off the individuality of its designer. In logos and titles we see the rise of de-uniform wordmarks, with either the letters reshaped by scanning, photographing through water or tearing them up. Another option is each letter written in a different font or color. One source of inspiration is Japanese calligraphy that writes the whole word in one stroke, we will get letters that join and grow out of each other.
https://www.behance.net/gallery/130715195/NOIA
https://www.behance.net/gallery/134274381/WUDDCO
Typography animation gives it a sense of motion, logic and a story of how it came to be. This is most prevalent in logos and intros for apps and videos. The time of thinking of type as a static uniform unit has passed.
5. Print Technique Artefacts
Print techniques like acid etching and risography are in because of their characteristic error. The risograph has a notable raster that gives designs the feel of being based in reality. These traditional techniques are used and combined with the latest digital techniques and aesthetics bringing together the best of both worlds. Also realistic paint strokes that show the complexity and character in every stroke are bringing organic human nature onto the screen and into animation.
6. 3D NFT Metaverse
3D expands explosively due to the metaverse and to cater all its needs. Part of it is the NFT market and fashion that is pushing the boundaries on aesthetics. Gucci has teamed up with Roblox to design and sell their clothes and Balenciaga with Fortnite to sell pieces online and offline. We see combined influences from a very wide range from anime to haute couture fashion. This influences graphic design by forcing brands to enter the metaverse either directly or aesthetically not to miss out on the younger demographic. For example Disney plans to rebuild one of its theme parks in the metaverse, Nike plans to selle NFT sneakers and has bout the RTFKT studio for that. Coca Cola created wearable NFTs and sold them on the opensea.io.
Designers will further explore impossible materials and colors like crystal and other translucent colors and flavors next to the last years metallic trend. The 3D possibilities will surpass the physical limitations of form and color and go on to create a wonderland.
https://www.behance.net/davyevans
In General 2022 is a year of self expression through showcasing your individuality. Get in touch if you wish to have your brand ready for 2022.
Pärtel Vissak CD
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