Every new year offers the opportunity to start from scratch. The international creative platform 99designs asked its global graphic design community about the new trends for 2021. We took a look at the eleven artistic ideas and now present the three approaches that are particularly relevant for packaging. Our top 3!
Even the Celts knew that marketing is the path to success. The Austrian town of Hallstatt became famous in the Iron Age, when the Celts who settled there systematically mined the „white gold“ around 850 BC. With huge horizontal mining halls, they followed the path of the salt veins up to 300 metres underground. To set themselves apart from other suppliers, the Celts of Hallstatt mined the salt in the shape of a heart. The appealing shape was soon regarded as a brand and quality mark, and the so-called Hallstatt salt hearts became the dominant feature of the salt business.
Standing out on the shelf, arousing curiosity and at the same time serving the usual visual codes - these have probably always been the most important requirements for new packaging. As you can see from the Celts. Elements of nature, for example, are ideal for modern packaging in times when sustainability and climate protection play an essential role. The outside world also plays an important role in graphic trends. But it can be even more creative than with leaves, flowers and trees.
Graphic design trend 1 : Comics and pop art
The design styles of the past never really die. This year, designers are resurrecting the grainy colours, strong inking and onomatopoeia of old comics. Originating in a time of simple printing technology, comics often used halftones or dot shading to represent colours. Today, this approach can breathe new life into modern, minimalist trends like flat design with the help of grainy texture and depth. Similarly, web designers can create a sense of drama and movement with tilted images and twisted shapes.
Graphic trend 2 : The fine arts
There has always been a distinction between art and design, but 2021 cares little for traditional boundaries. Painting gives designs surface variation and depth. They look as real as if you could touch them. That's why the trend fits so well with physical products. As art is associated with culture and class, it's useful for products that want to convey an old-world elegance - such as wine labels and cosmetics packaging. Painting also allows for richer colour tones than those created on a computer, giving the designs a certain seriousness. They invite the viewer to take a moment and reflect.
Graphic design trend 3 : Designs with social awareness
2020 was the year in which the world realised how much it needs to change. From healthcare and environmental awareness to Black Lives Matter and pandemic preparedness, it became apparent how many challenges we face. We've seen this with the rise of creative hand lettering that conveys unity, accountability and advice and comes across as protest art. A graphic design trend that is sure to gain even more momentum in 2021.
[infotext icon] 99designs is the global platform that makes it easy for designers and customers to create impressive designs together. Since 2008, 99designs has grown from a small online forum into a global community of talented designers. The creative platform is the place to go for companies, agencies and people who need graphic design. [/infotext]
