After years of Artificial Intelligence dominating design conversations, 2026 feels like a turning point for many graphic design trends. Sure, AI can be helpful, but by now we’ve learned the importance of being thoughtful with its use. Our graphic designers are pushing boundaries and learning firsthand where automation works best and when a design needs the eyes of a professional. Those lessons have definitely shaped how we’re thinking about the year ahead.
If you’re a designer reading this, chances are you’re feeling the shift. The pull to slow things down. The need to create work that feels intentional, emotional, and undeniably yours. In 2026, our designers are shifting toward clarity over chaos, and designs that mean something.
We’re predicting a move toward softness over severity, simplicity over clutter, and expression over perfection. It shows up in glowing gradients, clean minimal design that feels elevated, and textures that bring warmth back into a digital world. Typography, too, is becoming less about rules and more about storytelling, personality, and impact.
These trends aren’t about doing more. They’re about designing with intention. Trusting your gut, leaning into your craft, and creating work that stays with you long after the first glance. We’re excited to explore these trends and see what else the new year has in store for design!
Graphic Design Trends to Watch in 2026:
Laroch Chocolate Necula Creative
Pavlina Georgieva Recess BuenaVista Wallpaper
Soft glow gradients are quietly rising to the forefront of 2026 design trends – proof that sometimes the best way to stand out is to shine softly. This unassuming design element brings a calm, luminous touch to all mediums that feels both futuristic and comforting. Instead of harsh contrasts or bold color blocks, this trend celebrates smooth transitions and diffused light. It’s a visual deep breath in an overstimulated world, infusing warmth, depth, and emotion into everything from print and packaging to digital design and branding.
The magic of soft glow gradients is the balance they create. They’re gentle enough to soothe, radiant enough to inspire, and versatile enough to make any project feel fresh.
Norse Brandsmiths Pentagram Pentagram
Imagemme Studio Birdsall DD.NYC
Minimalism and luxury in graphic design is nothing new – Apple practically trademarked the aesthetic decades ago – but the trend is surging back in 2026 with fresh energy. This style blends simplicity with high-impact elements to create a confident, sophisticated visual language. Often called “quiet luxury” or “elegant minimalism” in the interior design world, it’s now reshaping brand identities everywhere. Luxury brands are stripping away the unnecessary to feel timeless rather than attention-seeking. Luxury minimalism is psychological at its core: it communicates trust, clarity, and high-end quality. By pairing bold focal points with generous whitespace, streamlined color palettes, refined typography, and subtly rich textures, designers can create a modern, premium look and feel that knows how to make its point quietly instead of shouting at the end user.
As we journey into 2026, minimalism and luxury are proving to be more than just another design fad – they’re a strategic shift toward clarity and confidence in brand identity. Designers can create visuals that feel modern, premium, and instantly trustworthy. In a world overflowing with visual noise, the quietest designs often make the loudest impact.
Sotavento Label Brasserie de l’Abbaye du Val-Dieu
RAW Crinkles Packaging Piccolo Seed Packaging Letters to a Scorpion Book Cover
Texture is about more than what you can physically feel. In design, it can be how something looks like it feels. And since the brain naturally draws on sensory memories, when we see a textured surface we respond as if we can feel it.
In 2026, designers will be embracing the imperfect, handcrafted look of textural design for its authenticity and realism in a world where AI-generated content is on the rise.
These are some of the textural design trends you’ll see creatives exploring:
• Image texture: Generated from a combination of organic or geometric shapes that generally appear at random or in collage form. Designed to create a particular look and feel, these can be environmental, biological, or man-made. – Environmental: Wood, sand, water, clouds, etc. – Biological: Skin, fur, feathers, etc. – Man-made: Paintings, fabric, typography, etc.
• Pattern texture: Also made up of organic and geometric shapes but is generally more structured and manufactured with repeated elements of shape and color. Unlike image texture, which has an emotional appeal, pattern texture is more likely to trigger the visual senses.
• Physical texture: The texture of the design once printed, whether it’s embossed lettering, paper thickness, etc.
As we move into 2026, texture is a key way for designers to create more genuine, memorable experiences. By embracing organic image textures, structured pattern textures, and tactile physical details, creatives can spark both emotional and visual responses in an increasingly digital world. Through these trends, texture becomes more than a surface – it becomes a meaningful part of the design’s story.
Lululemon Print Works London Adam Largui Fragsdzn
Here we go! The new year is about to get interesting with a new trend: typographic experiments. Instead of sticking to clean grids and basic letter forms, designers will be pushing type to new limits. We’re free to stretch text, distort it, layer it, break it apart, and reshape it into something that is fun and expressive!
It’s more that just looking cool! We use type experimentation to tell a story, create a mood, and set a personality before the viewer can even process the words. For example, a warped headline can capture chaos or energy and a structured arrangement can show order or restraint. It shows that you’ve got design range and you see type as a impactful design element. This is how brands and unique marketing pieces create an unforgettable personality.
Note, this experimentation works best when you are smart about it. Don’t use it willy-nilly. When a project gives you the green light, like when you have a one-off poster to design or a fun campaign or brand work to execute, pushing typography in this way can take your design to another level. The point of typographic experimentation isn’t to throw legibility out the door, but to find a sweet spot where the type communicates just as much through how it looks as through what it says. Now, go give it a try and express your inner self!
Doodles in Graphic Design Donna Adi
Evelin Lepe Annie Claire Hudson Vanessa Beechey
Playful scribbles and doodles have become a popular trend in graphic design, infusing digital and print projects with a handmade, approachable, and creative flair. Many brands are incorporating whimsical, childlike doodles and hand-drawn illustrations in social ads and packaging designs to exaggerate the look. This raw, imperfect style gives products a friendly, distinctive character – especially in industries like food and beauty, where authenticity matters. The unexpectedness of a doodle on designs creates contrast that feels fresh. Doodles represent images and help designers make sense of the concepts in their work in a unique and engaging way.
The integration of playful scribbles and doodles in graphic design not only adds visual interest but also fosters a sense of authenticity and approachability. As this trend continues to evolve, it enables brands to connect with audiences on a more personal level, making their messaging more memorable and engaging.
Looking back at our design team’s favorite trends of 2025, it’s clear how much they influenced the work we loved most, and how they continue to shape what comes next. As we move into 2026, those ideas are evolving into more intentional, confident design choices. Less about chasing trends and more about creating meaningful, lasting work, these influences will continue to guide the designs ahead. Be sure to check out our team’s design challenges throughout the year, where many of these graphic design trends come to life in real, everyday work.
In Wisconsin, we’re fortunate to enjoy all four seasons, each with its own special magic! Spring marks the beginning of a vibrant season as the snow melts and colorful wildflowers begin to bloom. It’s the perfect time for taking a walk and soaking up the sunshine.
Then summer arrives, bringing fun in the sun – warm weather, water activities, and spending time with friends!
When fall comes around, leaves transform into vibrant reds, yellows, and oranges. It’s the season for s’mores and cozy nights by the fire. And then winter blankets the landscape in a layer of snow, providing the perfect backdrop for a chilly day.
To capture all this seasonal magic, check out our cool desktop wallpapers and printable calendars. They’re a fun way to bring a piece of Wisconsin to your workspace! Celebrate the beauty of the seasons – adventure awaits!
Desktop Wallpaper | Printable 8.5×11 Calendar
The novelty of AI has dominated graphic design trends for years, but with 2025 right around the corner, we’re due for a pivot. That’s not to say it isn’t trending. Whether you love it or hate it, AI is here to stay. (Just in case you missed it, see our prediction of the “AI takeover” in Graphic Design Trends 2024.)
Having experienced the many “quirks” of AI, we’ve learned a lot about its strengths and weaknesses, and now we’re feeling inspired to try out some new trends. In the coming year, we’ll be throwing tradition out the window with out-of-this-world surrealism and bold, mismatched designs, embracing the emotion of a custom word mark, and going organic with styles that exemplify the simplicity of nature.
(See what our team has to say about their favorite trends below)
Oops by Artem Shcherbakov Lustre Art Group Magdiel Lopez
Deagreez Ju Sting Andrew McGranahan
Surrealism Collage in graphic design is like stepping into a dream where the impossible meets the everyday. This unique style creates mind-bending visuals that spark a sense of wonder, mystery, and sometimes absurdity — pushing the boundaries of what we expect from design.
Born from the fine art movement after World War I, surrealism was all about diving into the subconscious mind, making sense of the irrational, and pairing the weird with the familiar. Fast forward to today, and this avant-garde style has found a new home in graphic design, fueled by digital tools that let designers slice, dice, stretch, and mash up images with precision. Now, creating juxtapositions that defy reality is more achievable than ever!
For businesses looking to make a bold statement, Surrealism Collage is a powerful tool. Its eye-catching nature makes it perfect for brands that want to stand out, disrupt expectations, and connect emotionally with their audience. Whether it’s a social media ad, poster design, album cover, presentation slides, or motion graphics, this style has the WOW factor that grabs attention and leaves a lasting impression.
Take a swing at this playground for the imagination – where the results are anything but ordinary, and your brand is sure to stand out.
Volley Spiked Seltzer UW Health Masterpiece Campaign Van Reglan Font
Local Revival J&J Classic Nougat Marquette Baking Company
While AI use in design is growing, other more natural styles, like Rewilding, are gaining momentum. An homage to simpler times, this design style embraces nature, craftsmanship, and authenticity.
Rewilding incorporates:
• Organic, imperfect shapes inspired by the movement of water or shape of leaves. • Patterns and textures mimicking woodgrain or stone. • The use of earth-toned greens, blues, and browns. • Handdrawn typography that borrows curves from vines or rough edges from tree bark. • The use of sustainable materials, eco-friendly inks, and minimal waste.
Being around nature, or even seeing natural elements in design, can help lower stress, boost creativity, and improve mood. Brands that use Rewilding show they are environmentally responsible and care about holistic wellness.
So, as the world becomes more digital, Rewilding offers a welcome return to handmade, natural designs. It provides meaningful experiences that support both the environment and well-being.
The Functional and Serene design style appeals to brands seeking a practical and soothing aesthetic. This approach utilizes natural materials and muted earth tones to capture a sense of timeless elegance emphasizing simplicity and functionality.
Key elements of this style include: Natural imagery: Nature-inspired elements, such as textures that resemble wood, stone, and other organic elements, can add a serene feel. Muted colors: Soft, neutral color palettes create a calming effect. Subtle textures: Using textures to add depth without overwhelming the design. Minimalist layout: Limited use of elements, featuring clean lines, basic shapes, and plenty of negative space to prevent visual clutter.
Natural Textures can significantly elevate designs, infusing them with an authentic, handmade feel. Incorporating materials such as crinkled paper, rustic twine, and intricate wood patterns adds depth while also inviting touch. Botanical prints, with their vibrant colors and detailed designs, can further enhance the visual appeal, creating a stunningly immersive experience. These elements work together to evoke a sense of warmth and connection to nature, making designs feel more inviting and unique.
Organic Nature Design Brand Identity and Wellness Package Design
This design style incorporates earthy tones, natural landscapes, and organic forms to establish a connection between design and the environment.
Neutral Color Palettes Branding
When it comes to creating a custom Wordmark Logo, it’s not just about picking a font – it’s about evoking the right emotion. Want to make your client’s audience feel modern and fresh? Go for a sleek sans serif. Need to communicate trust and professionalism? A classic serif might do the trick. The key is to understand the vibe the client is going for and choosing a font that mirrors that energy. Fonts aren’t just decorative; they’re a conversation starter for the brand, even before the audience reads a single word.
AI has come a long way in its use within the design community, but I believe there is a bit of a blind spot in AI when it comes to creating a custom wordmark logo. Client interaction is where the magic happens. AI can have all the existing samples in the world to pull from, but without a solid understanding of the client’s needs, goals, and brand story, the logo design will fall flat. This is where the designer-client relationship becomes key. The best wordmarks come from sitting down with your client, asking the right questions, and really listening to what they’re about. By tapping into the brand’s core values, you can pick a font (or better yet, custom design one) that speaks directly to their target audience, and triggering an emotional connection, something that AI just can’t replicate.
In the end, a great wordmark is all about customizing type. It’s about making sure every curve, letter spacing, and flourish is unique to the brand. The best logos aren’t ones you find in a font library – they’re the ones you create from scratch, giving the client something that feels as personal as their mission.
Kris Andrew Small Tributary Design Enjoei
I have to admit, my favorite thing about the Mismatched and Bold graphic design style is its eye-catching appeal. The first time I stumbled upon it, I knew I had to share it. It’s all about versatility – you can inject so much personality into your creations. Picture it: a playful mix of shapes, patterns, and strokes, paired with fonts that are as unique as they are fun. And let’s not forget about the bold, unexpected colors that make your design pop. Trust me, it’s the kind of style that’ll stop your audience in their tracks.
At its core, this style is all about visual variety. It’s a fusion of colors, shapes, and fonts bursting with character. A combination that’s impossible to ignore.
So why not try it out on your next project? It might just be the spark your brand needs. After all, a quirky aesthetic is a surefire way to grab your client’s attention and keep them coming back for more!
Feeling Inspired?
Whether you’re a designer searching for inspiration, a marketer looking to shake things up, or a business owner trying to find the best fit for your brand, trends like these may be the spark you need to get moving in the right direction.
In the months ahead, keep an eye out for more of our creative Design Challenges from our graphic design team. We’ll be incorporating each of these trends in special projects throughout the year.
If the last few years have taught us anything, it’s that change is inevitable. And the graphic design world is no exception. Whether it’s remote work changing how designers create and collaborate, or free design software dominating the marketing space, or artificial intelligence (aka Skynet) taking (over) the world by storm, change is everywhere. And as creatives, we say, “Bring it on!”
So, in the spirit of change (kind of), we’re featuring 5 graphic design trends looking to make their mark on our cozy little corner of the universe. We’ve (mostly) agreed on the trends, but only time will tell who has the best predictive powers (or at least the “trendiest” trend).
We’ll begin with what is hands-down one of the most dynamic changes to hit the design space – Artificial Intelligence (AI), explore the modern marvels of Abstract Geometry and Maximalism, embrace the quirkiness of Hand-Drawn Illustrations, and show some OG love to typography in our Fonts With Flair section.
Future-forward designers are finally bidding farewell to the world of cliche stock photography and embracing the endless possibilities of AI-generated custom imagery and unique illustrations.
In a matter of seconds, a creative designer can use AI to transform ideas to reality, with professional looking images that are both visually appealing and content relevant.
With the increased availability of intelligent retrieval graphic art development tools, you can expect to see an explosion of AI-generated custom design being used in social media, educational tools, corporate branding, promotional materials, print, signage, mood boards, and anything else you can dream up!
So how does it work? Using text-to-image models, designers can imagine any visual scenario and submit a detailed prompt that will generate their mind’s eye into the real world. AI generation will immediately translate provided text into closely matching results. Some platforms also allow further human refinement by adding additional styling and filter options.
As AI continues to revolutionize the graphic design industry, creatives around the world are quickly adopting these shifting technologies. AI can be an amazing tool for enhancing creativity while simultaneously streamlining the professional design processes.
Get excited and embrace the change. AI is here to stay!
Are you ready to try generative AI imagery?
Here are a few great resources to get you started! Adobe Firefly – https://firefly.adobe.com/ Open AI’s Dalle•E 3 – https://openai.com/dall-e-3 Midjourney – https://www.midjourney.com/home DreamStudio by Stability AI – https://beta.dreamstudio.ai Gencraft (Free) – https://gencraft.com/
With roots in the early 1900s, this seemingly “modern” design style is back and ready to make an impact. As 2024 approaches, we’re seeing more designers ready to embrace the chaos, creatively combining geometric forms, confounding expectations, and sparking interest.
The abstract geometry style lends instant recognition to any design using well-known shapes and eye-catching colors to express ideas, create movement, texture, and depth, and even convey emotion. With so many opportunities for unique designs, we can’t wait to start exploring this bold “new” trend!
Zeka
Jeff Yas Paul Bokslag
What do you get when you blend all of the elements of design together in one composition? The “more is more” organized chaos that is maximalism!
Bold colors, repetition, little white space, contrasting patterns and textures, and multiple fonts are the hallmarks of maximalism. With layers upon layers of visuals, this fun style has a depth that’s missing in minimalistic design.
A one-of-a-kind sensory journey, maximalism is bursting with expressive creativity and attention-grabbing extravagance. So, throw out the traditional design rules and take a chance on this adventurous trend. You never know where it might take you!
Boja Jessica Hoffman
OD Design Studio OD Design Studio
Are you on the lookout for a splash of personality and a dash of creativity for your brand?
Hand-drawn illustrations are stealing the spotlight in 2024, and you definitely want to try out this trend!
Illustrations have a magical way of turning your designs into approachable rockstars. Whether you’re embracing quirky hand-drawn icons or cool graphics, or going all out with handmade fonts and illustrations, the hand-drawn vibe is your secret to standing out.
Not just about visuals, this trend is about reconnecting with your audience on a human level. So, if you’re ready to infuse your brand with a touch of fun, creativity, and irresistible charm, hand-drawn is the way to go!
Dieline Under Consideration
Bamff Midday Studio
With hundreds of thousands of fonts at your fingertips, how do you choose? Will sans serif fonts continue to dominate the design space? Or will the beloved serif make a comeback? We think they’ll both have their moment to shine in the coming year, so we’re highlighting a few fonts that are sure to rise above the competition. They have fun, unique glyphs and ligatures that make them true standouts for eye-catching logos and headlines!
A playful, hand-drawn font with plenty of ligatures and stylistic alternatives, Kocha works well for multiple logo styles, posters, and other fun events, and is available in clean and rough versions.
A calligraphy-inspired display font by Margot Lévêque, Romie is clean and elegant. This is a very versatile font, with 910 glyphs available in a variety of styles and weights.
Fook Communications Margot Leveque Sarah Bachman
Created by Storytype, Qureah combines the best of modern and classic typefaces, and is perfect for logos, titles, headlines … anything you want to stand out!
Well, there it is. We’ve covered everything from the not-so-futuristic AI Image Generator that will one day take over the world (just kidding … maybe) to outside-the-box abstract geometry and maximalism design that demands attention, to doodles that steal the show, and our tried-and-true workhorse of the design world – fonts. But wait, there’s more.
Since we still can’t agree on our favorite trend for the new year, we’re taking it up a notch with a new design challenge. So, in the coming month, check out our Design Challenges page to see all the creative ways we feature our 5 Design Trends for 2024 and pick your favorite. And if you missed our 2023 trends, click here to check them out now.
Another year has flown by, and here we are again looking toward the future and all its possibilities. And since we prefer to leave the endless lists of New Year’s resolutions to all the influencers out there, we’ve decided to dive into something we love – design trends! So, we took a look into our crystal ball and have come up with some really fun trends for the coming year. Join us as we take a blast to the past with Retro Logos, the Jeweled Tones of the 1930s, and organic Folk Botanicals, and fast forward to a more modern design aesthetic with Gradients and Distorted Type.
Nostalgia is a powerful feeling that can carry us to a better time and place. It’s human nature to romanticize the good times of our youth and gloss over the bad. A few years back, logo styles and trends were leaning more toward the modern, sans serif style (see Google, Century 21 rebrand and others). But our love for the past always comes back around.
One of the trends we are looking forward to is the retro line art/illustrative style logos. Minimal, cartoony, and fun, these engaging logos embrace bright, bold colors that never go out of style. Sometimes it’s a brush stroke, sometimes it’s hand lettering, but it’s always fun. Out with the new, in with the old!
Check out these fun retro fonts:
https://www.letterheadfonts.com/
https://creativemarket.com/fonts/vintage-fonts
https://www.fontsquirrel.com/
Where the retro illustrative style is fun and playful, the rich jewel colors trend is moody and elegant. Talk about opposites! This luxurious trend plays off the warmth of deeper tones like golden orange, forest green, and the rich red and purple hues of the 1930s. These deep, saturated colors are excellent for portraying a high-end, luxurious feel that can be a great way to elevate packaging design.
Spice Tree Organics Packaging Coffee Tosside Packaging
With a swing toward these bold colors in design, it’s no surprise that Pantone is jumping on the bandwagon with their Color of the Year – Viva Magenta. This Crimson Red is a bold, fearless color that we can’t wait to try out! These rich jewel colors are perfect when you need to add a little bling to your design.
On the other end of the spectrum is the Folk Botanicals trend. Have you been searching for a way to add an organic flair to your design? This whimsical trend could be just what you need. Botanical graphics will lend the texture and vibrancy to your design that can be lacking in more modern design. By embracing the perfectly imperfect and unexpected color combinations, this trend departs from traditional geometric vector art to give your design a unique, handmade look.
Dieline Jessica Hoffman
Dieline
Gradients are back! Actually, they never left. A modern departure from our earlier design trends, gradients use cool transitions that blend from one color to the next, and they’re incredibly versatile. They can be used in the background, for elements, and even in text. Well-known graphic designer, Beeple, has used gradients in many of his digital designs, and you’ll find them popping up on social media, posters, packaging, logos, and even apparel. This trend can be eye-catching and bold with bright colors or soft, subtle, and luxurious with a lighter color palette. Gradients will continue to be popular with on-trend color pairings and abstract forms in 2023. So, experiment and have fun. We certainly will!
Taras L Mohamed Samir Cuong Nguyen
Jiyoung Kim za lina
And, finally, as we wrap up our favorite trends for the upcoming year, we have arrived at a style that is sure to turn your designs upside down – Distorted Type. As today’s societal trends crush social norms, traditional standards of living are becoming less rigid, and out-of-the-box ideas are fashionable. The world of graphic design is taking notice as well and breaking away from the standards of typography.
Equipped with its own set of rules for legibility, balance, and flow, typography remains a central element of graphic design. When type is implemented correctly, the message it conveys should be clear, concise, and without distraction.
Well, scratch that noise! Designers’ future creations will upset the status quo of type. Expect to see stretching, slanting, squeezing, melting, twisting, fading, and all other forms of movement. The result? Quirky, interesting type, leading to a new way of impacting your target audience. This fun new take on type is guaranteed to get you NOTICED!
Danilo Gusmão Silveira and KNAS
Bashooka Roxanne Kazmierski
As you can see, next year’s trends offer something for everyone. Whether you’re feeling nostalgic and digging the retro look or searching for something a little more edgy and modern, 2023 has so many options for creatives. And we’ve just scratched the surface of all the amazing ideas out there. Do some digging on your own and see what else the design community has in store for the coming year. Or be a true vanguard of design and create your own trend. We can’t wait to see what exciting things happen in the design world next year!
