2025 Design Trend Predictions
I can’t believe I’m writing this, but somehow it is already the beginning of another year! Time flies when you’re having fun…or running a design studio. Now that the mince pies, afternoon naps and Bailey’s hot chocolates have been put to one side (somewhat), it is time to refocus and get creative again…
At the beginning of each year, we like to give you our predications of what will be some of the main trends in the design world. It is worth mentioning that trends come and go, and whether or not you decide to base your designs around the current trends is up to you.
So without further ado, here are our predictions for graphic design trends in 2025!
Trend Predication 1: Hand Drawn Illustrations:
And no we are not talking about elegant or professional illustrations, we are talking about sketchy, imperfect doodles. This flat, hand drawn scribble can make a design look very organic and authentic, particularly when you think of packaging designs for small businesses, like coffee shops, cans of IPA and unique online companies. It seems that people are now valuing authenticity and personality more in the products they buy, and this playful, hand crafted style really gives that personal and approachable feel.
Credit: From left to right (Unknown, Break Maiden, Oysterboiwho)
Trend Predication 2: Scrap Booking:
We have always been fans of a collage over here, and this trend uses the same idea with a much more real and raw edge. Think of when you were in school and you would decorate your notebooks with pictures of your favourite bands and TV shows, it is this kind of style we are talking about. This is a more analogue process of cutting things out of newspapers and sticking them down with glue, adding doodles and writing in blank spaces, and injecting your personality into every spare centimetre of the page. Similarly to trend prediction 1, this trend is all about personality, authenticity, and a real unpolished look. We see this trend as being useful for music design, album covers, poster design and even for use on social media.
Credit: Pinterest
Trend Prediction 3: Surrealism:
If you are looking to achieve a dreamlike and unrealistic image, look no further than this trend. The surrealism design trend is all about merging the real or natural with the complete opposite, something unnatural or out of place. The result is a clashing, juxtaposed, unreal image, like something you could see in a dream. You can go as big as you like with this trend, with your imagination being the only limitation you have. This is another design trend that we think could look great in music design, album covers and maybe even merch design.
Credit: From left to right (River Cousin, Tame Impala, David Alabo)
Trend Prediction 4: Nostalgia:
Hold my Tamagochi. Whether you love it or hate it, the Y2K meets 90’s nostalgia trend isn’t going anywhere! We have seen this trend become huge in 2024, adorning the cover of multiple albums and merch designs, especially Charlie XCX’s famous Brat album cover. This trend invokes a sense of nostalgia, familiarity, comfort and positive emotions, particularly for the millennial generation who would recognise these elements from childhood. This trend will continue to be huge in 2025, and we can see this working for multiple projects, such as music design, web design, social media and even packaging.
Credit: From left to right (Unknown, Another Department, Pocket Tactics)
Trend Predication 5: Minimal Typography:
This trend has been around for sometime, but is certainly not going anywhere in 2025. When we talk about minimal typography designs, what we mean is a design that is centered around the typography as the main element, it is a typography only design. This is a very popular look in streetwear clothing, as well as popping up in poster designs and packaging. The results are clean and bold, and usually focus on the brand name or tagline, or phrases, dates, and quotes. While the typography only design can look very cool and striking on clothing items, it can look very luxurious on packaging and in branding. The brand Grind Coffee uses this trend perfectly to display their premium coffee products in a stylish, bold and clean way.
Trend Predication 6: Minimalism:
Minimalism is a trend that uses fewer elements, but with a much stronger and bolder impact due to the heavy emphasis on the elements that are used. Bold typography, vivid colour palettes, and striking images paired with simple designs and fewer elements result in a clean, professional, minimalistic design. This trend contrasts quite a lot to some of the other trends in this article, but when used correctly can be just as striking. These impactful designs are simple, attention grabbing, and the message is clear. This is a trend that can be used across multiple different design projects.
Credit: From left to right (Blockvoid, Blazetype, Grind Coffee)
Trend Predication 7: Utilitarianism:
This is a trend that we are seeing everywhere, that focuses on function over aesthetics. It is organised, functional, uses minimal colours and contemporary aesthetics, and sometimes has a lot going on. The trend is like minimalism meeting maximalism, and gives an almost industrial feel to it. It is a trend that we see being used everywhere from streetwear to food and drink packaging, and can be used across lots of different types of design projects.
Credit: Unknown
Trend Predication 8: Textured and Natural:
This trend takes us back to basics, and evokes feelings of nature and authenticity. It incorporates grainy textures to add depth and a tactile quality to digital designs, making them more engaging and lifelike. Incorporating natural elements and earthy tones reflects a growing emphasis on sustainability and environmental consciousness in design. This approach fosters a connection with nature, appealing to eco-conscious audiences. This trend works great for packaging, and really for any company or brand that wants to focus on being eco friendly.
Credit: From left to right (Munjebel, Unknown, Unknown)
So those are some of our predictions for design in 2025, but don’t forget, you can do whatever you want to do! Rules are made to be broken, and not everyone wants to follow trends.
If you would like to book us in for any design jobs in 2025, please get in contact at hello@designbynurture.com
Written by Charlene Payne.
