Design trends in 2018: forecast and reality

Translator's note: this wonderful article was not translated for Habr neither at the beginning of the year, nor later. While it is really useful and deserves attention. Therefore, despite the fact that almost ⅔ of the 18th year had already been lived through, I nevertheless decided to transfer. At the same time I compared the forecasts with reality, which I left comments on the text.

Attention: there are many heavy gifs and beauty under the cut!

That ended another year. Many innovations have appeared in the design world. But what awaits us in the future? The team of the online magazine Mindsparkle Mag is closely following the news in the design world and publishes the most interesting things on its blog every day. After analyzing the information for 2017, Mindsparkle Mag specialists tried to predict how the design sphere will develop in the future. Without long introductions, we present the result of their work - the 20 most likely trends in the field of design in 2018.
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1. 3D Still Lifes / 3D still lifes

Over the past two years, more and more projects in the field of 3D-design began to appear. Watching the success of leading 3D artists, for example, Peter Tarka and the guys from MVSM studio, we can safely assume that in 2018 3D still lifes will become even more popular. This trend is particularly evident in the collaborations of various companies for the creation of logos and in product placement.



Project: Squarespace stillife Author: MVSM





Project: Shapes & Forms | Rubik Author: Peter Tarka





Project: Audi Q-Riosity | Adobe Government By Peter Tarka

Translator's commentary: interest in highly realistic 3D scenes continues to gain momentum - a good example is the work of Ben Fearnley .

2. More Design in AR / More AR

Augmented reality technology (Augmented Reality, AR) will continue to evolve rapidly, and not only in computer games, video or applications. AR may well win its place in the field of design, especially when it comes to mobile devices. The first step to this was taken, for example, by the agency DIA Studio, whose specialists add interactive 3D text to the most common objects that we encounter in everyday life.







Project: DIA Author: DIA

Translator's comment: if we do not yet see AR everywhere, it is only because many ideas are currently in development. No wonder FunCorp is actively “drowning for” XR (the new term Extended Reality, combining Augmented Reality, Virtual Reality and Mixed Reality).

3. More 3D Typography / More 3D Typography

In 2018, 3D typography will become even more popular. To succeed, designers must create impressive work, constantly pushing the boundaries of the possible. Many companies (for example, Nike) have already noted the importance of 3D technologies, because they allow not only to establish contact with a potential client, but also to impress him. It is expected that in 2018, various 3D-animation will be used more often.



Project: 3D Type Collection Author: ILOVEDUST







Project: 36 Days of Type • 2017 Author: Wes L Cockx | Project: 3D Type Collection Author: ILOVEDUST . | Project: Typography projects Author: Muokkaa Studio



Project: 3D Type Collection Author: ILOVEDUST .

Translator's comment: 3D typography took the world design by storm and, I am sure, will not lose the position in the next couple of years.



Mohamed reda numbers

4. Digitalized Handmade Art / Symbiosis of Digital and Traditional Art

With the advent of new applications and tools (tablets, styluses, etc.), it is becoming easier to combine handwriting with digital ones. The days of the good old brushes from Photoshop are officially numbered. The “brush-stylus” comes to the fore - a much more versatile tool that reveals all the advantages of a real brush and allows you to create more modern and aesthetic images. More and more companies, such as Adobe or Nike, are using this technique to promote their products or brands.



Project: Paintblast Vol.1 Author: David Milan



Project: Adobe Creative Cloud 2018 Author: Ruslan Khasanov | Project: Masked Author: Rik Oostenbroek



Project: Paintwaves Posted by: Ari Weinkle | Project: MI Author: Rick Ostenbrooke

Translator's comment: there is no doubt that interest in the traditional art of calligraphy has increased due to the digitalization of the drawing process, and this is wonderful!

5. Vivid & Bright Colors / Gradients / Bright colors, gradients

In recent years, many designers have again begun to use gradients. Everything goes to the fact that this trend will continue, although it will become more multifaceted. We expect a lot of innovation, for example, using bright and vivid colors in combination with various textures. "Gradients 2.0" will also be pleased with the effects of double tone.







Project: Electric Objects By: Rose Pilkington | Project: Magic.co Author: Lyudmila Shevchenko





Project: Daily Posters Author: Magdiel Lopez

Translator's comment: now there are bright gradients everywhere, but are we not tired of this diversity by 2019? I do not undertake to predict, however, even if we get tired, it will be difficult for designers to refuse this technique, because playing with color in itself enriches the picture and makes other decorations optional.

6. More animated 3D merged with 2D / More 3D animations in 2D design

As is the case with AR technologies, it is expected that many designers will begin to combine 3D graphics (and especially animation) with 2D design. That is what the talented designer under the pseudonym Baugasm did in the series of posters.









Project: Daily Posters Author: Baugasm

Translator's comment: to animate everything that can be animated is actually the motto of this year. This applies to both graphic design and all kinds of interfaces. The use of animation in mobile applications is partially covered in this article by Nick Babich. How iFunny animation is used is here .

7. Flexible 3D / Wide 3D

Over the past two years, a real breakthrough has occurred in the field of 3D design. From now on, the line between reality and fantasy will become increasingly blurred. It is likely that over time in 3D-design will be used more and more natural forms and movements that simply fascinate. An excellent example is the forms and movements characteristic of a fluid in nature.



Project: Nike Vapormax Author: MVSM





Project: Blobs with Medium Author: Vincent Schwenk





Project: Covestro DC Author: Vitaly Grossman

Translator's comment: I have not yet encountered such a level in 3D of my professional life, but I am sure that next year there will be more such works. And this is due to the significant development of 3D editors, as well as their render systems and functions that imitate physical processes such as gravity, friction, collision, etc. The 3D world is getting closer and more accessible to those who want to master it.

8. More Artful Photography / More Creative Photography

Modern photo shoots and advertising campaigns will be more challenging and bold thanks to the expressive and creative design of the set. It doesn’t matter whether the decorations will be made by hand from paper or created using 3D mapping and visualization technologies, viewers will remember them for a long time.









Project: Monkifesto Author: Snask



Project: Aizone Author: Sagmeister & Walsh



Project: Nike AMD Revolution Author: Happy Finish

Translator's comment: speaking of creative photo shoots, one cannot but remember Pokras Lampas . The only question is, are his calligraphic masterpieces the “decoration” of the set or is the photo shooting itself just a decoration for his amazing work?

9. More (animated) Retro-Illustrations / Animated illustrations in retro style.

One of the main trends of 2018 will be modern works in retrostyle. Sophisticated animation (for example, adding subtle movements or depth to a flat pattern) will also be used more and more often - just for beauty or to make the story more memorable.



Project: PSB Refinance Author: Kirill Pavlov



Project: Bare Witness Author: Re Agency



Project: Inside the Head By: Sara Svensson

Translator's comment: I do not think that the interest of illustrators in retro style will ever pass. Because it is such a style in a square (“style on style”), verified by years. Yes, and look at the animated works of illustrators, for example, Marcus Magnusson (Markus Magnusson) , not annoying.

10. Color-Gel Photography (use of colorful light) / Color-correcting gels

Another technique that photographers will resort to more and more often in the new year is the use of a color-correcting gel or color filters. It opens up virtually endless possibilities, allowing you to experiment with multi-colored lighting of the subject. And if you use several shades, you can achieve unique effects of color attenuation or contrast, which can not be obtained in Photoshop.







Project: Nude Coca-Cola & Nude Pleasure Author: Local Preacher



Project: Unknown Author: Patrice Brilla | Project: Neon Hoodies Author: Tim Tadder (Tim Tadder)

Translator's comment: these photos really claim to be the works of modern art. Peggy Guggenheim would have bought them.

11. Responsive Logos / Responsive Logos

In a world ruled by mobile devices, the importance of responsive logos is constantly growing. It is not enough to create only one logo and then scale it depending on the screen size. The adaptive logo assumes the presence of several versions of the image: for smartphones, tablets, desktop systems and many other devices. A few years ago, adaptability became a prerequisite for web design. Today, this is true for logo design.



Project: Responsive Logos Author: Joe Harrison

Translator's comment: a very pleasant trend, which, however, is now perceived as a must-have for any serious brand.

12. Simpler semi-3D Logos / Simplified logos with 3D elements

A new trend in the field of logo design will be the combination of simplified forms with partial 3D. Smooth, subtle modulations and fading colors give the object a balanced depth, as confirmed by the examples below. By itself, the color will become brighter and richer, which will make the brand image more expressive.



Project: Formula 1 Posted by: Wieden + Kennedy | Author and project: Firefox

Translator's comment: in my opinion, this is the only trend listed in the article that is far-fetched.

13. Custom “Arty” Typefaces / Unusual Fonts

Individualized and eccentric typefaces are gaining popularity, especially among designers. Fragmented, distorted in one way or another visually impaired fonts certainly attract attention, and that is what their purpose is. Some of these headsets are interactive and respond to the mouse cursor. One thing is clear - there is no limit to perfection when it comes to customizing the font, so in 2018 we are waiting for a sea of ​​experiments.



Project and author: Jeanne Bataille



Project: Vi Novell Author: Atipus



Project and author: Abschluss HSD

Translator's comment: well, you will not be surprised with strange fonts in 2018. Stylistically, the fonts reached, it seems, the maximum variety. Visual distortions and futuristic experiments are the next step in the pursuit of the viewer's attention.

14. More (interactive) 3D in Web Design / More Interactive 3D Website Design

In the field of web design, in 2018, 3D elements are also expected to be distributed, allowing experimentation with depth, movement, texture, and perspective. A website with such elements and environments becomes truly unique, it will surely be more like and remembered by the user. Specialists fashion studio Atacac, for example, created an interactive futuristic showroom in which users can explore a new collection of clothes in a virtual three-dimensional world. Another example worth noting is the animated 3D sculptures from The Artery.



Project and author: Atacac 2017 Yearbook



Project and author: The Artery

Translator's comment: this trend is obviously due to the improvement in quality and speed of the Internet. Met a fun example of an interactive game site - www.foosballworldcup18.com

15. Interactive Mouse Pointer / Interactive cursor

An interactive cursor opens up new possibilities for users to interact with websites. Depending on the settings of a particular website, the user has access to various functions of such a cursor for certain interactions. For example, on the designer page of Ben Mingo, an interactive cursor starts to behave like a magnet when approaching menu items. And the website of the Walking Men agency is an excellent illustration of how an interactive cursor can respond differently to different actions. And this is just the beginning. Ahead of us are all new options for interactions.



Project: Folk Author: Phoenix



Rights and author: Ben Mingo



Rights and author: Walking Men

Translator's comment: on the website www.foosballworldcup18.com , which I have already mentioned above, the cursor turns into a ball, ideally repeating the dynamics of a soccer ball in motion. Trifle, but very elegant.

16. Creative Website Loading / Creative use of waiting time

The days when boring download lanes were used on websites were a thing of the past. Why not creatively use the wait time for loading a web page? A great example is Contemple Studio and Awwwards.



Rights and author: Contemple



Rights: Awwwards Conference Design and development: Adoratorio

Translator's comment: more and more websites use creative preloaders and loading screens. I will add more examples:
www.60fps.fr/en
ddt.jelvix.com
eeerik.com

17. Instagram Storytelling / Instagram Stories

This is not so much a design trend as a trend among designers. In 2017, a lot of innovations appeared in Instagram, including Instagram Stories. Since its launch, this feature has won the love of users, and now more and more designers and companies use it daily. A great example of interaction with subscribers is the profile of Ales Nesetril (Ales Nesetril) , author of The Perfect Grid 's successful book : A creative's Guide to Instagram (“The Perfect Network: A Guide to Instagram”) , dedicated to this issue. The ability to properly deliver stories is crucial to creating an authentic brand, gaining customer confidence and attracting active subscribers. In 2018, we will increasingly see stories in educational and "live" videos, reports on current work, etc. It is also expected that designers will more often exchange pages on social networks. For example, the Mindsparkle team has already invited colleagues to use the @mindsparklemagazine account on Instagram to chat with subscribers.

Translator's comment: Stories on Instagram is not so much a trend among designers as a trend among all and sundry.

18. 3D “Handmade” Artlook / 3D Handmade

Also this year, an increasing interpenetration of digital art and handmade techniques is expected. Designers often try to give their works the look created by hand, to make them more interesting and "tangible." The works of Maxim Shkret below illustrate the above: they look like they were made by hand from paper.







Rights: 3D Art Author: Maxim Shkret

Translator's comment: the pursuit of maximum realism in 3D and 2D design has been observed for quite some time. Recall the amazing Android Marshmallow's Wallpapers that Google created from paper.

19. Isometric Design & Photography / Isometric Design and Photography

To present the three-dimensional world in two dimensions, an isometric projection is used. Previously, this technique was used mainly in technical drawings, but then it was discovered by designers. Photography, illustrations, 3D design, iconography - an isometric design is now at its peak of popularity! In 2018, we can expect the emergence of even more interesting works.



Rights: Ultraviolet Break of Day Author: Field.io



Project: Abstractions Vol.1 Author: Mohamed Samir



Project: Isometric House Author: Angela Chan

Translator's comment: the interest in isometry is so great that it is difficult even to single out individual works. It is explained, apparently, by the visual pleasure that you experience when looking at isometric worlds. Perfection!



Jing Zhang for PlayStation | Level up



Project: Increment Mag issue 4 Authors: Cristian Malagón Garcia , Nuria Madrid

20. Adding Depth to Flat Design / Adding Depth to Flat Design

You can add depth to a minimalist flat design with realistic shadows. This creates the effect of three-dimensional space, almost indistinguishable from reality. This effect can be enhanced by placing objects on different layers and ensuring that they interact with each other with changes in both sharpness and blur.



Rights: Nike Promotion Ads By: Jardson Almeida



Rights: Flyknit Lunar 1 & 3 Author: Callum Notman (Callum Notman)

Translator's comment: the desire for "realism" of interfaces and user interactions with them, pledged by Google Material Design , continues to gain momentum. And the better your design imitates the real world, the more attention it will receive this year.

The second half of 2018 is already underway, and we clearly see how almost all of these brands are gaining momentum and are widely used in practice. So, the author was right and "knocked out 20 out of 20". If you do not agree with this and consider that some trends did not meet expectations, write about it in the comments.