Designing Tomorrow: Trends and Techniques Redefining Graphic Design in 2023

Every year, graphic design trends change based on our new needs and perspectives of society. 2023 is not an exception, as it brings forth new dimensions and design possibilities. 

From stunning color palettes to handmade illustrations and daring typography, 2023 is all about setting your mind free and letting it fly toward creativity and innovation.

In this article, we will dive deeper into the graphic design trends and new techniques used by professional graphic designers in 2023!

Why are graphic design trends so important?

Graphic design trends help graphic designers communicate the message smoothly and connect to their audience in a timely manner. If you implement trends in your design, you will make the latter more engaging and, as a result, will achieve your design goals.

The importance of following graphic design trends:

• Relevance and freshness: Following 2023 graphic design trends keeps your work current and engaging for audiences.
• User engagement: Trends optimize designs for user experience, enhancing interaction and retention.
• Competitive edge: Modern designs attract more opportunities and give you a competitive advantage.
• Job Opportunities: Modern design skills can enhance job prospects and set you apart especially in roles like illustrator jobs.
• Innovation and creativity: Following trends fosters creativity and encourages innovative, groundbreaking designs.
• Brand perception: Trend-aligned designs shape a brand’s modern, adaptive, and culturally aware image.
• Consistency across platforms: Trends provide a unified visual language, ensuring consistency across diverse media.
• Storytelling and emotion: Trends focus on emotive storytelling, forging deep connections with the audience.
• Channel agnosticism: Ability to stand out and communicate brand values clearly across sales and marketing channels - including digital ads, print and OOH ads, as well as on slideshow presentations and pitch decks. 
• To conclude, incorporating task management software into your design workflow is essential for successfully staying on top of 2023 graphic design trends, ensuring that you efficiently implement these trends and meet your design goals while maintaining consistency and maximizing creativity across various platforms.

Graphic design trends and techniques for 2023

Now that you are aware of the importance of following graphic design trends, it’s time to highlight some trends you should consider when starting a new project:

1. Stunning color palettes

One of the most common trends in 2023 is the fearless approach to colors. Unexpected color combinations have become more popular than it was before. Now it's not unusual to see a blend of electric blue and neon pink, or a combination of earthy palettes with neon accents. 

A similar combination of colors can never be seen in traditional graphic design projects. The new unexpected blend of colors is used to evoke new emotions and highlight creativity.

1. Daring typography

In 2023, the way graphic designers used typography had changed too. We can see many projects with bold and oversized fonts that command attention.

Kinetic typography adds a dynamic dimension, bringing the text to life with animated movements. This trend highlights the enduring power of creatively presented words, proving their ability to captivate as much as accompanying imagery. In 2023, typography isn't just text; it's a visual story waiting to be told.

So, if you have recently made an app using a white label app builder, consider incorporating these typography trends into your app's design features to make your app's text elements more captivating and visually engaging. 

1. The usage of blurs and gradients

Gradients, a trend that has persisted, are undergoing experimental transformations in the hands of graphic designers.

The latest approach blends modern aesthetics with a touch of psychedelia, resulting in soft, smoky gradients that elegantly shift from one hue to another.

Beyond their visual appeal, gradients serve a functional purpose. They bring focus to designs and enhance the readability of overlaid text. This technique cleverly integrates multiple vibrant colors without overwhelming the viewer, making it a brilliant choice for contemporary design projects.

Blurs work similarly to gradients. They are used to distort colors in a visually captivating manner. Blurs are commonly used as standalone decorative features positioned behind or beside the text, guiding the viewer's gaze toward a specific visual element. 

1. Gothic revival

This trend appeared thanks to Wednesday Adams for the domination of gothic elements and styles on popular social media platforms, such as TikTok and Instagram. 

This trend became popular not only in videos on TikTok but also in graphic design. It is exactly the opposite of the colorful and Y2K cuteness we are witnessing in the design world.

In the gothic style graphic design, black isn't just a choice; it's a necessity, accompanied by textures that are torn and ripped, hues veering towards the dark side—crimson, sapphire, and hints of violet. 

Traditional rules of composition, color, and hierarchy are all thrown out the window, inviting a challenge to create something entirely new in this anti-conformist style.

1. Handmade illustrations and doodles

In 2023, handmade illustrations and doodles are at the forefront of graphic design trends. Many graphic designers want to add a human touch to their projects and reconnect with people through hand-drawn illustrations.

From whimsical patterns to freely flowing illustrations, all styles of doodles are appreciated in 2023. 

This trend is mostly used when creating a logo. The latter can be a combination of handwritten fonts and hand-drawn illustrations as the company's symbol. This type of logo is great for artisanal industries that require branding with a personal, human touch.

1. Down-to-earth approach

As sustainability becomes an important topic for discussion in 2023, graphic designers also embrace climate awareness by including various natural elements and textures in their creations.

Graphic designers get their inspiration from various natural elements, such as the robustness of the rocks, the flow of the sea, the vibrant colors of fresh fruits, the green hues of forests, and more. 

 Just like a refreshing breeze, designers seek to channel the sensations of nature through their designs. Ideally suited for branding, website design, and packaging of food or nature-inspired products, this trend embodies a grounded connection with the natural world.

1. AI-powered design

Our list of trends would not be complete without the graphic design created via AI tools and platforms. Designers have started combining their creative minds with AI-powered tools to create mesmerizing projects. 

This is a perfect combination in 2023; hyper-realistic visuals of storefronts and designs that remarkably mimic hand-drawn illustrations.

AI-driven text-to-image generators have revolutionized graphic design and visual storytelling. These tools can be used not only by graphic designers but also the ones who want to create a modern design on their own without having any design skills.