With Q1 coming to an end, I’ve taken a look at some of the latest trends in design. We all know that AI-powered design, 3D graphics, sustainability, and inclusivity will continue to dominate for the next few years; however, in this blog, we’re diving into some of the more under-the-radar trends that are currently making waves in the design community. Interestingly, there’s a lot of overlap between the trends I’ve mapped out, which is a reflection of how different styles and techniques can complement each other to create innovative, impactful visuals.

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1. Bold Colours & Typography

2025 has seen a major shift toward bold, striking colour schemes and typography, marking it as one of the biggest design trends so far this year.

• Bright, Plain Colours: Expect to see an explosion of bright, solid colours that immediately grab your attention. No more subtle gradients or muted tones - it's all about high-contrast, unapologetic palettes.
  
  
• High Contrast & Bold Fonts: Typography is getting heavier, with dark, bold fonts taking over.
  
  
• Multiple Colour Combinations: Don’t be surprised to see multiple contrasting colours layered together to create a unique visual experience. Designers are mixing and matching hues to evoke emotion and attention.
  
  
• Simple Geometry: The trend also extends to the geometric shapes used, where clean, minimal lines and basic forms are key. Simplicity is often the hero, providing structure while allowing colours and typography to shine.
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2. Hand-Drawn Designs

Hand-drawn elements are making a big comeback in 2025, bringing personality, warmth, and creativity to the forefront of design.

• Authentic, Personal Touches: Think hand-made logos, doodles, and illustrations — each with a quirky, unique vibe. These designs are often seen in brands that aim to convey a sense of individuality and approachability.
  
  
• Animated Drawings: Taking hand-drawn elements a step further, many brands are animating their illustrations, bringing them to life in fun, flowing ways. This adds an extra layer of creativity, keeping users engaged while delivering messages in a more dynamic, playful manner.
  

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3. Retro & Pixel Aesthetics

There’s a revival of retro vibes in design, with a pixelated look creeping back into mainstream graphics, combined with some modern twists.

• Retro Fonts and Logos: Think nostalgic fonts that harken back to the '80s and '90s. These fonts often feature heavy outlines, bold shapes, and pixelated designs that are highly reminiscent of old-school computer graphics.
  
  
• Pixelated Graphics and Animations: The pixelated aesthetic is gaining traction once again, not just in logos but also in animations. The charm of this style lies in its simplicity and sense of nostalgia.
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4. Animated Assets

2025 is the year of motion. Brands are increasingly incorporating animated assets into their toolkits - think not just static images but elements that move, breathe, and bring designs to life.

• Animated Icons & Illustrations: Brands are now creating full sets of animated icons to accompany their brand identity. These move subtly to engage viewers and visually express brand attributes.
  
  
• Geometric Shapes Morphing: We’re seeing a lot of animated geometric shapes that morph seamlessly between icons or images, providing a sense of transformation and flexibility in the design.
  
  
• Animated Backgrounds: Backgrounds with dynamic effects, like gradients or particle systems, are gaining popularity. These abstract animations add depth and motion to websites, social media content, and videos, capturing attention without overwhelming the user.

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Wrapping Up

By incorporating bold colours, hand-drawn elements, retro aesthetics, and animated assets, designers are creating unique, memorable experiences and shaping how brands engage with audiences.

As the year progresses, keep an eye out for how these trends evolve and where they take us in 2025. The key to staying ahead in the world of design is to embrace change and never stop experimenting.

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