Keep your finger on the pulse with five design trends destined to boom in 2025

2024 was a whirlwind of a design year – rebrands, emerging trends, and culture shifts galore. RSPCA and Kleenex both rebranded, employing striking cobalt blue in their new palettes – a choice that shines particularly well in digital environments – which we love. PayPal also went through a dramatic shift, opting for bold simplicity, a style praised for its optimised accessibility and usability. While perfectly pitched minimalism rose in popularity, so did punchy maximalism, proving that daring can be just as powerful. And, of course, AI emerged as a game-changer, setting the stage for a new era of innovation in design.

Usually, by the time a trend has been truly marked out and identified, it’s not quite as fresh as it once was. It got us thinking, is there such a thing as a trend sell-by-date? For instance, we certainly wouldn’t stop you from adding a bold splash of cobalt blue to your next rebrand, but we’d advise against pulling ‘Brat Summer’ from the bottom drawer of the fridge, dusting it off and serving it at an upcoming brainstorming session.

Our aim today is to predict the trends which will rise in popularity this year, just as they’re on the cusp of becoming ‘the next big thing’.

Natural shifts

In the busy and digitally-centred lives we lead, moments spent in nature are increasingly significant and grounding. It stands to reason then, that digital designs featuring natural elements are resonating with us much more deeply than they once did. A general shift towards eco-conscious living, wellness and returning to nature can explain an increasing move toward organic shapes, natural textures and earth-toned colour palettes.

This trend is more than just a set of stylistic choices though – it reaches for a feeling or atmosphere. It’s about creating digital environments that conjure sensations of calm and tranquillity. Expect to see designs that feature soft and flowing lines that replicate the movement of wind or water, or shapes that have intricately soft and textured edges. There may also be an upswing in textured backgrounds, geared towards making digital spaces feel more tactile, tangible and grounded.

Vibrant highlights and neon accents

It’s no surprise that the ‘digital-first’ approach to branding continued to grow throughout 2024 – a trend that’s been on the rise since some of the Brew Digital team were still crawling. But looking ahead to 2025, we might see a shift from 'digital-first' to 'digital-only,' with brands opting for colours that shine on screens but fall flat in print. That’s right, neons are on the way in, and will be used increasingly as highlights and accents for brands wishing to feel modern, fresh and undeniably cutting edge in 2025.

Dazzling mint and acid greens, electric blues, vibrant yellows and hot pinks are the colours that will be catching your eye (and possibly causing a little retina strain). And dark mode websites and apps are where these high-voltage colours will be viewed most often. Think neon buttons, glowing edges, and highlighter strips, all working together to create a futuristic, high-tech, and youthful aesthetic.

Back to the drawing board

Due to advances in technology, 2024 has seen the biggest boom in AI artwork to date. Even big brands are opting to use AI imagery for their campaigns, such as Coca-Cola’s ‘Holidays are Coming’ Christmas advert. But with every dominant trend comes a counter culture movement. There has also been an increasing rise in hand-drawn and naïvely-styled illustrations being employed by brands wishing to inject a bit of individuality and warmth into their visuals.

Pencil textures, enthusiastic scribbles and exaggerated character features/expressions are defining elements of this new style of illustration. Expect to see more brands in 2025 looking to press this nostalgia button – transporting us back to simpler, more stable times with childlike aesthetics and quirks. It’s the visual equivalent of a warm hug. Picture a Quentin Blake-style character cheerfully pitching you insurance – how could you possibly say no? In a world of AI perfection, anything obviously human-crafted and happily flawed, is bound to make an impact.

3D interactivity

The last few years have seen a dramatic increase in 3D visuals. We’ve seen beautiful 3D elements popping up in lots of big brands’ social advertising campaigns – from L’Oreal Paris’ ‘Meet the Micelles’ campaign to Airbnb’s ‘Get an Airbnb’ campaign. This year, however, 3D is expected to become even more immersive and sophisticated. We predict a rise in clickable 3D models and interactive displays, which will allow users to rotate, zoom, and explore 3D products.

These tactile, engaging experiences will help brands capture attention and increase interaction, making their products far more memorable. Access to platforms like Webflow, Three.js and Spline are behind this rise, enabling designers to create these interactive 3D elements with ease – no longer needing rocket scientist levels of intelligence to work it.

Type with a twist

Last but not least, typography… A key weapon in any designer’s arsenal. Many notable businesses are currently opting to rebrand with a bold logomark paired with a simple and sleek sans serif font. But there are a few out there who are looking to make more of a splash with bold and distorted typographic choices.

Through simple changes, such as elongated lettering, thick hand-drawn strokes or letter stacking, logotypes are becoming, shall we say, a bit more playful? We’ve even seen lettering being replaced with icons or objects, like a bagel used for an ‘O’ or a brush stroke for an ‘I’. This could certainly be a trend destined to grow in popularity this year. However, we must advise caution when injecting a bit of ‘fun’ into any design practice. Less is more, after all – unless we’re talking about garlic, then more is more.

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If you're looking to breathe new life into your brand or simply need expert guidance on your design journey, don't hesitate to reach out to us at Brew Digital. We're here to help with all aspects of your design needs, crafting innovative solutions that resonate with your audience and drive your business forward.