It’s that time of year when we peek over the fence to see what’s growing in the digital design garden. This year’s trends are a vibrant mix of playful nostalgia, immersive storytelling, and bold expression. Let’s dive in, shall we?

1. Immersive and 3D Design

Picture this: a digital realm so rich and textured, it feels like you could reach out and touch it. Immersive and 3D design is doing just that, transforming the flat screens into gateways to other worlds. We’re not just scrolling through pages anymore; we’re diving into them.

Immersive and 3D designs are turning websites and apps into digital wonderlands. Like stepping into a storybook, except the dragons are made of pixels, and the castles are crafted in code.

This trend is about creating spaces that envelop users, making every interaction feel like an adventure.

2. Bubble Writing

Time to dig out your teenage diary from the early 2000s, because bubble writing is shaking off its cringeworthy past and inexplicably making a nostalgic comeback.

This style, with its hand-lettered, groovy fonts, is all about embracing individualism and breaking free from the cookie-cutter mould.

It’s fun, squishy, and speaks volumes about our shift towards more personal, expressive designs.

3. Ultra Vibrancy

Ultra vibrancy is turning the colour dial up to eleven. Thanks to screen technology that’s sharper than a chef’s knife, we’re seeing colours that are brighter and bolder than ever before.

It’s like the digital world has been dunked in a vat of neon paint, and we’re here for it. This trend is about standing out in a crowd and wearing your colours with pride.

4. Bento Layout

Bento layout draws inspiration from the Japanese art of compartmentalisation, presenting information in a way that’s as satisfying as a well-organised drawer.

This approach is a masterclass in clarity and precision. It takes disparate elements and arranges them into a harmonious whole, making the complex seem effortlessly simple.

While it’s not new to us design veterans, it’s gaining traction for its ability to blend a smorgasbord of information into a cohesive, simplistic way.

5. Utilitarian Design

Utilitarian design is the antithesis of fluff and filler. It’s design stripped down to its bare essentials, unmasking the design process, and often leaving elements like grids visible. This style essentially strips back the frills and froth, leaving the bare bones of design on show.

Raw and refreshingly honest, this style gives you a peek behind the curtain, showing you the cogs and gears of the design machine.

It celebrates the functional without sacrificing the aesthetic, proving that simplicity can be striking.

6. AI Imagery

AI isn’t wowing us any more. Rather, it’s become more normalised in the industry. With the rise of generative AI, designers are blending AI-generated images with traditional design elements to create groundbreaking, captivating works.

This trend doesn’t replace designers; instead, it offers a new tool in the creative arsenal, expanding the boundaries of what’s possible in design.

7. Quirky Serifs

Quirky serifs are coming back into the spotlight, shedding the stiff formality of yesteryears and donning a more playful, eccentric look.

They’re both legible and artistic; a breath of fresh air in a world that was getting a bit too sterile.

8. Maximalism

More is more as maximalism takes over. This design trend is all about excess, vibrancy, and expressing individuality.

A nice example of this is the retro revivals we’ve already spoken about above — typefaces are becoming more bold, expressive and inclusive. They’re not just communicating messages; they’re setting the whole damn mood.

9. Mascots and Cartoons

Mascots and cartoons are everywhere, bringing a sense of playfulness and nostalgia to business.

They offer brands a unique way to connect with their audience, creating memorable and engaging identities that they can bring into other aspects of their marketing. It’s essentially like having a brand ambassador who never needs a coffee break.

Think of Duo Lingo’s mascot owl, whose unhinged behaviour has led to more positive engagement with the brand, especially on TikTok. This trend is about storytelling and creating characters that can walk off the page and into the hearts of your audience.

10. Handlettered Logotypes

Handlettered logotypes are gaining popularity for their ability to convey authenticity and personality. Moving away from soulless, cookie-cutter designs, these bespoke logotypes are as much about storytelling as they are about branding.

They serve as a direct, human connection between the brand and its audience, adding a touch of individuality and character into digital branding.

11. Sustainability in design

As the design world matures and becomes more responsible, sustainability is fast becoming a key consideration in digital.

Design Agencies like us are more conscious of the carbon footprint of their creations, striving to make beautiful designs that don’t cost the earth.

12. Motion Graphics

Static images are taking a back seat as motion graphics surge to the forefront. They bring a dynamic energy to digital spaces, turning every visit into an engaging narrative.

It’s about adding a layer of storytelling to the digital experience, making even the mundane feel a bit magical.

To sum up…

2024 is shaping up to be a year where the past and the future collide in the digital design world.

From the playful resurgence of bubble writing to maximalism and mascots, this year’s trends are all about embracing individuality, breaking the rules, and having a blast while doing so.