Spring clean with 2016 design trends
Spring has arrived! This could be the perfect time to take a look at your brand and the possibility of a ‘revamp’. Graphic design is ever-changing and developing, much like our own careers and businesses, so it is important your logo and branding reflect this so you don’t end up left behind or outdated.
Simplistic
UX design is key to growing your business, it combines great aesthetics with usability. UX is an acronym for ‘User Experience’. Keeping your website simple makes it easier for customers navigate, meaning they may be more likely to engage with your service. Responsive websites come under this umbrella, ensure your website works on all devices so no one is missing out on what you have to offer!
“Simple can be harder than complex: You have to work hard to get
your thinking clean to make it simple.” – Steve Jobs
Be bold!
Be bold!
Don’t be afraid to try striking colours. Be brave, stand out and get your brand noticed! Brighter, vivid hues have proven to be a hit this year, swapping muted subtle tones for the daring neons, bold saturated colours and bright pastels. The Pantone Spring 2016 Colour Report explains the colour trends in more depth.
Throw some shapes
Geometric shapes seem to be a common occurrence in all aspects of design, from fashion to engineering. These funky shapes (associated mostly with the 80’s) go hand in hand with the bold, saturated colours mentioned above. Geometric designs can be used to bring your backgrounds to life, whether it be on your website, brochures or business cards, it provides an interesting backdrop.
Negative space
Designs that incorporate negative space are incredibly clever and strategic, it can be a way of communicating a double meaning and can be a great talking point to break the ice, not to mention – people will remember you!
Material design
The term ‘Material design’ was developed by Google, featuring large fonts and typography, vivid colours used to give a bold graphic look, contrasting with intentional white space. This trend has now been adapted by various other companies, adding light shadows and highlights to give an aspect of depth, without overdoing it.
So, if you’re looking at rebranding, or you’re thinking of taking on the world with your new venture – take into account these few tips when planning how you want to be perceived. Don’t be scared to try new things, as long as it doesn’t put a negative light on how effective your product or service is, you should be able to reap the benefits!