Graphic Design Trends Worth Following (And Which to Ignore)

Have you ever looked at a trendy new design and thought, “Is this brilliant… or just bizarre?”

You’re not alone. Every day, designers and business owners face an avalanche of new graphic design trends competing for their attention and budget. Some promise to revolutionize your brand. Others quietly drain your resources while delivering little value in return.

The problem? Most advice about design trends comes from the very people selling those trends.

What if someone finally told you the unfiltered truth about which design trends are worth your investment, and which are just expensive distractions? What if you could confidently choose design elements that both look contemporary AND serve your bottom line?

That’s exactly what I’m about to share with you.

By the time you finish reading this guide, you’ll know exactly which design trends deserve your attention in today’s market, which require a cautious approach, and which you should absolutely ignore. More importantly, you’ll have a framework for evaluating any future trend that comes your way—saving you thousands in misguided design investments.

Let’s pull back the curtain on what’s really happening in graphic design right now.

The Hidden Truth About Design Trends (Nobody’s Talking About)

Remember fidget spinners? For a few months, they were everywhere. Then, almost overnight, they weren’t.

Design trends often follow the same trajectory. One day they’re revolutionary, the next they’re ridiculous. The difference? Fidget spinners cost a few dollars. Redesigning your brand identity can cost thousands.

Why Most Design Trends Are Just Expensive Distractions

The uncomfortable truth most design publications won’t tell you: approximately 80% of design trends exist primarily to sell more design services.

New software features need justification. Design agencies need to appear cutting-edge. Publications need content that generates clicks. The result? A perpetual cycle of “revolutionary” trends that rarely deliver proportional value.

Consider the parallels with fashion. The industry needs you to believe last season’s perfectly good clothes are somehow inadequate. Design works similarly—creating artificial urgency around aesthetic changes that often have minimal impact on actual results.

Does this mean all trends are worthless? Absolutely not. It simply means we need a more discriminating approach.

The Only 3 Questions You Need to Ask Before Following Any Trend

Before you chase the next shiny design object, ask yourself:

1. Does this trend solve a real problem my audience has? If it doesn’t address an actual friction point, it’s likely just decorative.
2. Will this trend still communicate effectively in 18-24 months? If not, you’re signing up for another expensive redesign very soon.
3. Does this trend support or distract from my core message? The best design amplifies your communication. If it calls attention to itself rather than your message, that’s a red flag.

These three questions will immediately eliminate most of the trends competing for your attention. What remains are the few worth serious consideration.

Now, let’s explore which current trends meet these criteria.

Design Trends Worth Your Time and Investment

Some design approaches transcend mere fashion. They represent meaningful evolution in how we communicate visually and connect with audiences. These are trends worth following—not because they’re trendy, but because they create genuine value.

Sustainable Design: The Trend That Keeps on Giving

Sustainable design isn’t just about appearing environmentally conscious (though that matters). It’s about creating design systems that endure, both ecologically and economically.

Eco-Friendly Materials That Actually Impress Clients

The days when sustainable meant “lower quality” are long gone. Today’s eco-friendly options often outperform their conventional counterparts:

• Recycled papers with textures and finishes that premium stocks can’t match
• Plant-based inks that offer more vibrant colors with less environmental impact
• Digital products designed for energy efficiency, reducing carbon footprint while improving performance

One client recently told me, “We switched to recycled packaging primarily for sustainability reasons, but we’ve kept it because customers consistently rate the unboxing experience higher than our previous materials.”

How to Market Your Sustainable Design Approach

The key to leveraging sustainable design isn’t just implementing it—it’s communicating it effectively:

• Document your process changes and share them transparently
• Quantify environmental impact wherever possible (e.g., “Our new website hosting reduces carbon emissions by 62%”)
• Connect sustainability to your core brand values rather than treating it as an add-on feature

Remember: authentic sustainability sells itself. Performative eco-gestures get ignored or, worse, called out as greenwashing.

Inclusive Design: Beyond Just Looking Good

Inclusive design isn’t charity or compliance—it’s good business. When your design works for more people, more people work with you.

Accessibility Features That Boost Engagement

The data is clear: accessible design reaches wider audiences and increases engagement:

• Sites with proper contrast and readable typography see up to 30% longer visit durations
• Alt text and image descriptions improve SEO while serving visually impaired users
• User-controlled animation and motion reduces bounce rates from vestibular-sensitive visitors

One financial services company found that after implementing accessibility improvements, not only did their disabled user interactions increase, but their overall conversion rate improved by 23%. Why? Because designs that accommodate diverse needs usually create better experiences for everyone.

Case Study: Brands Winning with Inclusive Design

Microsoft’s Xbox Adaptive Controller didn’t just open gaming to people with limited mobility—it positioned the brand as thoughtfully innovative. Their inclusive design approach has become a competitive advantage, not a compliance checkbox.

Similarly, Starling Bank’s high-contrast, clear typography doesn’t scream “accessible design”—it simply looks clean and professional while serving all users equally well. Their app usage among older demographics exceeds industry averages by over 40%.

Immersive Experiences: When to Go All-In

Immersive design—from subtle animation to full AR/VR—can dramatically enhance engagement when used purposefully. The key word is “purposefully.”

AR/VR Implementation That Actually Delivers ROI

The most successful immersive design investments share these characteristics:

• They solve specific problems conventional design cannot
• They reduce friction rather than creating novelty
• They enhance the core offering rather than distracting from it

IKEA’s Place app exemplifies this approach. Their AR furniture preview doesn’t just look cool—it solves a genuine customer problem: “Will this furniture fit and look good in my space?” The result? Lower return rates and higher customer satisfaction.

Simple Ways to Create Depth Without Breaking the Bank

Not every immersive experience requires expensive technology:

• Subtle parallax effects can create depth without disorientation
• Strategic use of sound design enhances immersion at minimal cost
• Thoughtful micro-interactions guide users through experiences naturally

Remember: immersion isn’t just technological—it’s psychological. Sometimes a well-crafted story creates more immersion than elaborate technical implementations.

Design Trends to Approach with Caution

Not all trends are created equal. Some have potential value but come with significant risks. These trends deserve careful consideration rather than wholesale adoption.

Ultra-Minimalism: When Less Becomes Meaningless

Minimalism remains powerful when it clarifies. But today’s “ultra-minimalism” often crosses into abstraction that confuses users and weakens messaging.

The Fine Line Between Clean and Empty

Effective minimalism removes the unnecessary while emphasizing the essential. Ultra-minimalism sometimes removes the essential too.

Consider the recent wave of brand “simplifications” where distinctive logos become generic circles and wordmarks. When Mastercard removed their name from their logo, they had 50+ years of brand recognition supporting that decision. For most brands, similar moves alienate customers and diminish recognition.

Signs you’ve crossed the line:

• User testing reveals confusion about basic functionality
• Brand recall decreases despite increased visual consistency
• You need to explain your design rather than having it explain itself

How to Add Value Back to Minimal Designs

If you’re committed to minimalist aesthetics, consider these approaches to maintain effectiveness:

• Preserve distinctive brand elements even while simplifying surrounding elements
• Use subtle texture and depth to create visual hierarchy without visual clutter
• Invest in exceptional typography as your primary design element
• Ensure copy clarity compensates for visual simplicity

Remember: the goal of minimalism is clarity and focus, not emptiness for its own sake.

Over-Animation: When Movement Kills Conversion

Motion design can guide attention and enhance understanding. Or it can distract, delay, and drive users away. The difference lies in strategic implementation.

The Hidden Cost of Excessive Motion

Studies consistently show that gratuitous animation damages performance:

• Unnecessary entrance animations delay content access by 2-5 seconds on average
• Complex hover effects increase cognitive load and reduce information retention
• Auto-playing background videos increase page abandonment by up to 25% on mobile devices

One e-commerce client discovered their “innovative” animated product gallery was directly responsible for a 15% drop in product page conversions. The animations looked impressive in design presentations but created friction in actual use.

Strategic Animation That Serves a Purpose

Effective motion design:

• Directs attention to important information
• Clarifies relationships between elements
• Provides meaningful feedback on user actions
• Respects user preferences regarding motion sensitivity

Mailchimp’s subtle animation showing an email being sent provides useful feedback while reinforcing their playful brand identity. The animation serves both functional and emotional purposes simultaneously.

Design Trends to Completely Ignore

Some trends aren’t just risky—they’re reliable recipes for failure. These approaches consistently undermine effectiveness and should be avoided regardless of how fashionable they may currently be.

Trends That Sacrifice Usability for Style

Design exists to solve problems, not create them. Yet some trends persistently prioritize novelty over functionality.

Warning Signs Your Design Is All Show, No Substance

Be wary when you encounter:

• Navigation systems that require discovery rather than being immediately understood
• Text with insufficient contrast because the “aesthetics” demanded lighter colors
• Content hidden behind unnecessary interactions because it creates a “cleaner look”
• Layouts that work beautifully on designers’ large monitors but break on typical user devices

These approaches consistently fail in real-world applications, regardless of how impressive they may look in portfolio presentations.

How to Push Back Against Client Requests for These Trends

When clients request problematic trends, redirect the conversation with these approaches:

• Ask, “How will this help your users accomplish their goals more effectively?”
• Present data showing performance differences between trendy and usable approaches
• Suggest pilot testing both options with a small segment of users before full implementation
• Offer alternative approaches that capture the desired feeling without sacrificing function

One effective tactic: agree to include the trendy element in initial concepts alongside more functional alternatives. Often, seeing options side by side helps clients recognize practical limitations themselves.

Disposable Design Fads That Will Date Your Brand

Some design trends have such short shelf lives that they begin looking dated almost immediately after implementation. These are particularly dangerous for brands with limited redesign budgets.

The “One-Season Wonders” of Design

Approach these current trends with extreme caution:

• Hyper-specific color palettes tied to particular cultural moments
• Illustration styles that closely mimic specific popular applications
• Typography treatments that prioritize novelty over readability
• Interface elements that depend on currently trending platforms

The “Corporate Memphis” illustration style (those flat, disproportionate figures with blue or purple skin) went from fresh to cliché within months. Brands that heavily invested in this aesthetic now look identical to hundreds of others.

Timeless Alternatives That Still Feel Fresh

Instead, consider approaches with proven longevity:

• Photography styles focused on authentic human emotions rather than specific visual treatments
• Color systems built around one distinctive brand color paired with versatile neutrals
• Typography hierarchies based on readability principles rather than trending fonts
• Interface patterns that mimic physical interactions rather than digital fashions

Brands like Apple, Porsche, and New York Times have evolved their visual identities over decades without ever appearing dated precisely because they prioritize timeless principles over momentary trends.

Your Action Plan: Implementing Trends Without Regret

Let’s translate these insights into concrete steps you can take today.

The 30-Day Design Trend Test

Before committing to any significant design trend:

1. Create a small implementation (perhaps on a landing page or single email)
2. Run it for 30 days alongside your current design
3. Measure specific metrics: conversion rates, engagement, user feedback
4. Only expand implementation if data supports the change

This approach minimizes risk while allowing reasonable experimentation. One client saved over $30,000 by testing a proposed design system on a single product line before rolling it out company-wide—and discovering it actually decreased performance.

Building a Design Strategy That Transcends Trends

Rather than chasing trends, develop a foundational design strategy:

1. Document your core brand attributes and communication priorities
2. Identify the functional requirements your design must satisfy
3. Establish measurement criteria for design effectiveness
4. Create a decision framework for evaluating potential design evolutions

With this foundation in place, you can confidently assess any trend against your specific needs rather than industry hype.

Questions to Ask Before Your Next Design Update

When considering design changes, ask:

• “What specific problem will this solve for our users or our brand?”
• “How will we measure whether this change is successful?”
• “What’s the minimum implementation we could test before full commitment?”
• “Does this change support our long-term brand direction or create a detour?”

These questions filter out impulsive design decisions while allowing thoughtful evolution.

The Only Design Trend That Always Works

After fifteen years working with everything from startups to Fortune 500 companies, I’ve discovered one approach that consistently outperforms all trends: design that prioritizes clarity and user success.

When your design helps people understand your message quickly and accomplish their goals easily, it never goes out of style.

The most successful brands don’t chase trends—they establish them by solving real problems in distinctive ways. They evolve thoughtfully rather than reacting frantically to industry fashions.

You can do the same.

Start by auditing your current design approach against the principles we’ve discussed. Identify one trend worth exploring further and one that may be creating friction for your users. Then use the 30-day test to validate your hypothesis.

The design world will always produce new trends—some valuable, many superficial. With the framework you now possess, you can confidently distinguish between them, implementing only those that truly serve your audience and brand.

What design trend have you been considering that might deserve a second look? And which might you be better off ignoring? The answers might just transform your results.