7 DESIGN TRENDS TO PAY ATTENTION TO IN 2021 & HOW TO USE THEM EFFECTIVELY.

May 03, 2021 | Fox Tales

The world of design is fluid- constantly changing and evolving. This is especially true in this golden age of digital media, where design trends can go viral in the blink of an eye and become irrelevant just as quickly. As people spend more and more time at home and online (thank you, global pandemic), it has become increasingly important to optimize your design strategy to boost engagement with your audience- and this applies to all your brand elements. As social media marketers, it is IMPERATIVE to not only be aware of the changing aesthetic trends, but also to use them effectively (Timing is everything with these trends!)

Here are 5 design trends to pay attention to in 2021:

1. 3D Design: Flat-lays are so 2020! Seriously though, while flat-lays have dominated the social and digital space for the last couple of years, they are getting old fast. 3D designs create a greater sense of realism on the interface by adding depth to the overall design. Brands and designers have started moving away from flat-lays, towards these more realistic, tangible designs and elements that capture audience attention by virtue of appearing almost touchable! The 3D design trend is still gathering steam and is definitely worth paying attention to.

2. Symbol Revival: In design, like in life, it is the little things matter. Symbols have a sense of universality attached to them and can be used effectively to convey a range of emotions. Designers are leveraging the power of symbols to create aesthetic designs that convey their brand message in a way that transcends language.

3. Contrast and Colour: While 2019 and 2020 were undoubtedly the years for pastels (millennial pink everything, am I right?) 2021 may head the other way. Leaving behind the calming, comforting tones of mint and pink and all things pastel, designers in 2021 want to embrace brighter, striking colours to emphasize contrast. In fact, Shutterstock predicted three colours that will dominate 2021: phantom blue, lush lava and aqua menthe- all loud, bold, stark colours that could create saturated hues and sharp contrast. Did Shutterstock get it right? We don’t know for sure yet, but it is worth monitoring in 2021!

4. Unique Illustrations: Have you noticed that the number of illustrator influencers and design pages seem to have tripled in the recent past? There’s a reason for that. Custom illustrations help visuals stand out and capture customer attention because of their uniqueness and attention to detail.Many brands are using illustrations in their digital and social media to connect with customers and their target audience. Even Canva (honestly, the lifeline of most small businesses and entrepreneurs because of their accessible graphic design templates) agrees that customized illustrations are a trend to watch out for this year!

5. Nature and Natural Elements: With most of the world cooped up at home for the better part of 2020, it comes as no surprise that the outside world, and nature in particular, are central graphic design themes in 2021. From earth/ natural tone colour schemes and patterns to visual elements of nature, design seems to be “going green”, even beyond brands that are environmentally oriented. And it makes sense, because these elements can convey calmness, renewal and peace- all universal and very important messages, especially for a year like 2021!

6. Blur and Grain: While gradients and stark colour transitions were very popular over the last few years, 2021 might see this trend replaced with blurry backgrounds, blended images, and grain filters to help the text/typography stand out clearly. By reducing the background to muted blurs and colors, this design trend can help the text pop! This also adds the elements of tangibility and realism to images, which can help capture consumer attention.

7. Classic Serif Fonts: The classic, elegant Serif fonts appear to have made a serious comeback in 2021, albeit a slight twist. With an added juxtaposition of contrasting sleek and bold elements, the svelte Serif fonts are back in style in the design world and are regaining their lost popularity. Offering an artsy, inviting feel, the Serif fonts can be used across number domains and industries, and will be popular throughout 2021.

While design trends are dynamic and could change quickly, it may be worth your while to try out these trends in your social and digital space in 2021! Do you agree with these predictions? Let us know in the comments!