Happy New Year! We are very excited to kickstart the new year with our 2021 Design Trends Predictions!

This time, we grouped our trends predictions into six categories that we feel will influence the creative industry as well as share tons of tutorials to help you master the trends like a pro!

Before we jump to our trend predictions, we want to highlight two key themes that will continue to play an essential role within the creative industry in 2021 and beyond.

Theme 1: Stay home, isolation, 

social distancing 

We predict that designers and illustrators will continue to create artwork around the pandemic theme; So expect to see campaigns and artwork focused around staying safe and being safe!

Theme 2. Nature, organic products, environment, sustainable future/present

This theme will continue to be very influential this year! Due to the pandemic, social, political and environmental issues, we are now more than ever longing to be outdoors, free and importantly looking to create a safer sustainable and equal future. So expect to see artwork based around this theme from posters, photography, packaging to web design.

source image 1,2

Ready to get stuck in and learn more? Watch my full tutorial below on 2021 Design Trends!

Here is an overview of our 2021 Trend Prediction!


1. Abstract Minimalism

  • Exaggerated proportions and poses of characters
  • Flat, geometric shapes overlaid on top of each other
  • Bright block colours, no gradients, minimal shading/noise
  • Over-saturated colour palettes (this is because consumer experience is predominantly on screen, not print)

source image 1,2

Want to learn more? Here are some recommended tutorials to get you inspired!


2. Empty Lines  

  • Combination of block colours and empty lines
  • Organic shapes (curves, spheres, rounded rectangles)
  • Fluid motion in animation and motion design

source image 1, 2, 3, 4

Want to learn more? Here are some recommended tutorials to get you inspired!


3. DIY, Arts & Crafts inspired

As the world moves more towards digital media, we are still longing to create art using our hands and traditional media.

  • Raw, unpolished artwork
  • Embracing imperfections, human error
  • Home-made, home-grown
  • Mixed-media
  • source image 1, 2, 3

    Want to learn more? Here are some recommended tutorials to inspire you to explore Traditional art!


    4. Tactile 3D, Digital Miniatures

    • Heavily stylised characters with realistic motion
    • Tactile, clay-like aesthetics
    • Turntable animation

    source image 1, 2

    Want to learn more? Here are some recommended tutorials to get you inspired!


    Do you want to become a Graphic Designer?

    Sign up to our newsletter, and you’ll get instant access to our resource library and guides to becoming a Graphic Designer!

    5. Framed Environment

    • Creative containers
    • Invisible boundaries
    • Compact storytelling devices

    source image 1, 2 , 3

    Want to learn more? Here are some recommended tutorials!


    6. Concentric compositions

    • Roundtable animations
    • Spherical distortions
    • Radial symmetry

    source image 1, 2

    Want to learn more? Here are some recommended tutorials!


    Conclusion

    I hope you found our Design trends inspirational; please note that design trends rarely appear isolated; a great designer will learn to combine styles and add their creative touch.

    Designers should always keep an eye on emerging styles as often as possible and experiment with many creative mediums and techniques. The more you combine and test, the more likely you will find a design style that becomes a trend itself.

    UP NEXT

    Graphic Design Trends 2020

    Check out our extensive list of our Graphic Design Trend Predictions for 2020.

    Click here.

    Want to master design trends?

    We think you will enjoy our online courses!

    About the author 

    Shumi Perhiniak

    Shumi is a self-taught graphic designer and illustrator who has worked for Toni&Guy, Renaissance Learning, Baker Ross, and many others.

    Additionally, she owned a brick-and-mortar stationery shop selling her art prints and now sells wholesale to retailers and online shops under the brand name www.herdesignworld.com.

    Related topics you might be interested in

    Make your portfolio stand out by participating in our Magazine Spread Contest! See how you can participate and have your work reviewed and featured on our YouTube channel.

    Continue reading

    Take part in our Design Contest and enhance your portfolio! Find out more about how to take part and get your work reviewed and featured on our YouTube channel.

    Continue reading

    Grow your personal “garden” of inspiration and references with the awesome online tool: mymind.

    Continue reading

    Here are five top mistakes you should avoid when putting together your portfolio

    Continue reading

    Top Graphic Design trends that will shape the creative industry in 2024 and beyond!

    Continue reading

    Get familiar with Type Anatomy, today we want to introduce you familiarise you with some odd but very useful typographic terms!

    Continue reading

    Are you looking for a fun, creative and affordable gift for your artist friends and family? Don’t worry; we’ve got you covered!

    Continue reading

    Having a hard time finding the perfect gift for your creative friends? We can help! Take a look at these 18 brilliant gifts for designers!

    Continue reading