Design trends come and go. What’s cutting edge today could feel stale and uninspired tomorrow. The world of design, whether digital, print, or environmental, moves fast, fuelled by technology, creativity, and audience preferences. Knowing what’s outdated can help you avoid creative missteps, and understanding what’s next ensures your work stays relevant and captivating.
Let’s explore five design trends that have started collecting dust and what’s replacing them with fresh energy.
Trend #1: Overcomplicated Minimalism
In recent years, minimalism reached an extreme. Designs with oversized white spaces, ultra-thin fonts, and stripped-back elements became common. While simplicity can be powerful, these approaches often crossed the line into “too basic,” leaving users confused or unimpressed.
What’s Next: Bold Minimalism
Instead of stripping down, designers are finding ways to balance clarity with personality. Bold minimalism marries clean layouts with impactful elements—whether it’s vibrant colours, chunky typography, or standout visuals. A prime example is Spotify’s bold use of colour gradients and large visuals, proving that minimalism doesn’t have to be boring.
As The Sharp Edge demonstrates through its branding services, designs that communicate both effectively and creatively strike the perfect chord, blending simplicity with standout aesthetics.
Trend #2: Perfectly Polished Stock Photos
Remember those overly posed stock photos that feel more like awkward adverts than relatable visuals? They’re slowly being left behind. People have grown weary of perfectly manicured visuals that lack authenticity. When everything looks “too perfect,” it feels fake.
What’s Next: Raw and Real Imagery
Authenticity is on the rise. Designs now lean on candid, relatable photography or illustrations created for real impact. Brands like Nike have championed this by showcasing raw moments of athleticism and human connection over flawlessly staged snapshots. The message? People connect with what feels human.
Choosing genuine imagery ensures your visuals resonate more deeply, a principle TSE reflects through its thoughtful approach to visual storytelling for brands.
Trend #3: Flat UI Design
Once considered groundbreaking, flat UI design—a style that removes all dimension to favour sharp, flat objects—has become too rigid. While clean and functional, flat design often fails to offer depth or engagement.
What’s Next: Neumorphism and Hybrid UI
The future is all about subtle depth and user engagement. Neumorphism brings a soft, tactile feel through shadow play and gradients, offering a more immersive experience. Airbnb, for instance, has shifted towards a hybrid approach, blending functional flat design elements with layering to create depth and hierarchy.
As digital environments evolve, creatives like TSE ensure interfaces don’t just function impeccably but also visually engage users in memorable ways. Check out The Sharp Edge Creative for insights into design innovation.
Trend #4: Distracting Animations Everywhere
Animation can captivate audiences, but it's easy to cross the line into visual chaos. Flickering text, excessive effects, and over-the-top transitions can leave users frustrated instead of impressed.
What’s Next: Purpose-Driven Animation
Animations are shifting to enhance usability instead of just showing off. They’re used to communicate functionality, guide users, or highlight key information. Google’s Material Design does this well—it uses animation to provide helpful feedback, create smooth transitions, and guide attention without overwhelming users.
Purposeful animation delivers delight without distraction, mirroring how TSE’s approach to motion graphics enhances storytelling while maintaining a strong focus on delivering the right message.
Trend #5: Monogram Logo Overload
For a long time, monogram logos were everywhere, especially among startups trying to emulate big brands like Chanel or Louis Vuitton. However, overuse has made these logos feel less unique and, well, just a bit overdone.
What’s Next: Storytelling Logos
Brands are now moving towards logos that tell a story, using bespoke illustrations, layered elements, or dynamic variations to stand out. For example, Burger King revitalised its classic logo with a modern twist but retained the nostalgic appeal from its roots. It feels fresh, yet instantly recognisable—a win-win.
Crafting logos that embody a brand’s story is something TSE excels at, using strong narratives to create memorable identities for their clients. Learn more about their branding expertise at The Sharp Edge Creative.
Keeping Up with What’s Next
Design is never static. It evolves in harmony with culture, technology, and consumer taste. Staying ahead means not only recognising when a style has run its course but also embracing fresh possibilities. Whether it’s refreshing brand materials, developing engaging campaigns, or crafting digital experiences, the future belongs to those willing to try something new.
Through years of experience, companies like TSE deliver not just designs but entire visual strategies that adapt to change while telling your story. By avoiding outdated techniques and experimenting with bold, timeless ideas, you ensure every interaction leaves a lasting impression.
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