TOP TEN TRENDS IN GRAPHIC DESIGN FOR 2012

Wonder what the next year holds for Graphic Design trends and ideas?

Here are some of the most sought-after moves many designers are starting to implement into their projects.

   1. Mobile Compatibility

http://www.flickr.com/photos/carnero/

More and more companies are looking to have a mobile version of their site or an app created for their business, so knowledge of the elements and parameters of mobile technology is imperative for the Graphic Artist.

   2. Hand-made and hand-written type.

Customization is key and clients are becoming increasingly interested in what was believe to be “lost arts” like silk-screen, letter press and even custom-shaped business cards and business reports.

   3. Motion Graphics

The power of video for business is off the charts, and many are looking for the strength of graphics in motion to capture the viewer’s interest. Many are already adjusting to this trend and new communities and tutorials are available online.

   4. Infographics

It started with business journals, now this trend for infographics layouts has leaped into many other fields like social media, medical reports and even cooking recipes.

   5. Eco-friendly design

With the increased popularity of eco-design, many earth-friendly businesses are investing in alternative ways of printing. Not only that, but the push for social media interactions instead wasteful paper practices is becoming a turning point for self-promotion: less printing = less spending + more karma points. 

   6. Retro Design

It is known that current trends are inspired from two decades ago. So it is to be expected that the “90’s  are in” and a slur of neon colors, floating geometric shapes with volume and fake shadows are evident elements in design.

   7. Pattern and Texture

Inspired by fashion design and illustration, hand-made patterns and textures are now found in other work like type, layout design of cd covers and the previously mentioned motion graphics.

   8. Three-D Type

http://www.flickr.com/photos/x1brett/

It is no surprise this style would grab hold unto the design sphere. It has been found in movies and art for decades. Now you can find it all over books and magazines: “melting” 3-d type, metallic looking type or even ice-cold looking 3-d type.

   9. Fine Art

Ever wonder the difference between Fine Art and Design?

Design is usually meant to be seen as “with purpose” and Fine Arts as “art for art’s sake”, but now many designers are finding inspiration from artists like Basquiat, de Kooning and more to find interesting graphic elements, colors and compositions for their    projects.

  10. Unique self-promotion

Many graphic artists are becoming more interested in handmade and unique self-promotion tools like e-zines, silk-screen odd-sized business cards, baked goods as business cards and even going out to the street with a giant “sale” label on themselves.

Want to jump-start you career in Graphic Design?

There is a whole world of Graphic Design programs available, even online!

You can even find a great scholarships or grants to finance your career.

Be part of this creative, rewarding progressively in-demand career choice.