2013-2014 Design trends
We check out 3 major design trends for print and web this coming year…
1) FLAT DESIGN
Image: http://www.topdesignmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/1.-flat-design.png
Believe it or not, Microsoft started the flat design trend several years ago, while competitors such as Apple and Facebook continued in skeuomorphism, a more realistic design taken from the original form of the object. While there is a certain ease of understanding and visual appeal with skeuomorphism, flat design content is expressed in a very efficient and clear manner which is becoming ever more popular with mobile devices. With flat design, loading time is faster and the message is conveyed clearer. With its touch of modernity, flat design is expected to leave skeuomorphism behind. While trends do come and go, 68% of web professional say that flat design is here to stay.
Sources:
http://www.webdesignerdepot.com/2013/12/infographic-flat-design-vs-skeuomorphism/
http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/04/23/the-flattening-of-design/?_php=true&_type=blogs&_r=0
2) CREATIVE TYPOGRAPHY
http://designspiration.net/image/2596512782853/
This isn’t necessarily a “new” technique, but it’s a style that’s been in for the past few years and it looks like it’s here to stay for a while. According to creative market and shutter stock, typography trends for 2014 include:
Large type, mix & match type (seen above), flat type, handwritten type, and geometric type. Although mixing font types and sizes can seem to be messy or confusing, if scale and proportion are paid enough attention, the resulting design can be quite artistic and beautiful. Also avoiding too similar of fonts is key, the strength in mixing fonts will come from balancing very different typefaces, adding visual appeal and a polished effect. Some website examples include: http://lawineagency.com/ and http://www.826seattle.org/.
Sources:
https://creativemarket.com/blog/2013/12/25/4-typography-trends-for-2014
http://tympanus.net/codrops/2011/11/12/25-fresh-examples-of-beautiful-typeface-combinations-in-web-design/
http://www.shutterstock.com/blog/infographic-shutterstocks-global-design-trends-2014
3) FILTERED IMAGES—ALA INSTRAGRAM
According to Yahoo finance and other reputable stock photography sources, “Instagram-esque” images continue to be a hot trend for the next year, with filtered images increasing 661% by the end of 2013. Filtered image styles include vintage, retro and desaturated effect. The obvious irony here, is the fact that were obsessed with using digital technology to make things look analog. What is it about “old” that makes it “cool”?
Sources:
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/shutterstock-publishes-2014-global-design-160000836.html
http://www.digitalinformationworld.com/2014/01/7-big-visual-trends-2014-worldwide-infographic.html
http://www.shutterstock.com/buzz/filtered-images
Other trends include:
-3D printing
-Infographics continue to be the best in representing data
-Simple focus, clean and to the point information
-Fixed navigation
-Hand sketched illustrations