vistaprint spotlights 2024 graphic design trends full of perfect imperfections

VistaPrint’s graphic design trends for 2024

VistaPrint unveils their graphic design trend predictions for 2024, celebrating the human spirit in a digital industry.  In their report, the printing service brand keenly observes that, while AI can assist in the creative process,  the innate decision-making and spontaneous creativity of artists consistently radiate in their masterful graphics, interfaces, and illustrations.  Across a spectrum of trends – from the revival of Freehand to the rise of Cluttercore – the common thread lies in the unpredictability and authenticity of artistic expression, aiming to infuse a human touch into the digital landscape.

VistaPrint unveils 10 graphic design trend predictions for 2024

all images courtesy of VistaPrint unless stated otherwise | image credit: album art by šaška on 99designs by Vista

As the design and marketing partner to millions of small businesses around the world, printing and branding service VistaPrint has an industry-informed perspective on how small businesses are connecting with consumers and bringing their brands to life. In 2024, leveraging insights from the global community of freelancers who work with brands via the company’s expert design services, like 99designs by Vista, the brand gives their insight into the world of creativity. This trend report is a continuation of the brand’s yearly analysis around the graphic design industry. 

Graphic graffiti

image credit: label design by Lena Liakhovska on 99designs by Vista 

10 styles embracing creativity in a digital world

Future fusion: This trend hails from the techno-futuristic aesthetic that lights the cyberpunk worlds of Tron, Ghost in the Shell, and Blade Runner. The mood is set by glowing pinks and neon purples against an inky black background. In this world, textures are gritty, the fonts come from digital displays of bygone eras, and the screen is glitching with flashes of white. This approach harmonizes the cutting-edge with the human, making situating brands among the ever-evolving tech landscape.

Future Fusion

image credit: designed by Rozart on 99designs by Vista

3D hyper-surrealism: Through the magic of digital modeling, a flower, with its shadowy stems and delicate petals, can bloom within the computer’s 2D canvas. This trend blends hyper-realistic and surreal 3D designs, taking advantage of the physics-free environment behind the screen, to build fantastic worlds with vibrant characters, engaging infographics, and experimental fonts.

3D Hyper Surrealism

image credit: Illustration by Resineux on 99designs by Vista

Bento-box grids: Drawing inspiration from the geometric Japanese lunch boxes, this trend employs an artful arrangement of squares and rectangles to capture graphic elements or information. The strength of this visual system is its efficient ability to communicate a wealth of ideas. It is also a clever way of establishing a visual hierarchy among a load of dynamic graphics. 

Bento Box Grids

image credit: brand design by Ilka A. on 99designs by Vista 

Cluttercore: Taking the chaos, warmth, and energy of maximalism, cluttercore embraces a wild, expressive look. The trend is marked by thick strokes, vibrant colors, haphazard placements of shapes and lines, all working together to create a bold, graphic statement.

Cluttercore

image credit: book cover designed by boja on 99designs by Vista 

Inflatable 3D: There is no doubt that Y2k, with its bubblegum pop, glittering tiny scarves, and a constant flood of radio hits – has reentered the cultural zeitgeist with a fury. This whimsical trend is a nod to that era with its bright colors, bubbly fonts, and bouncing shapes. Inherent to this visual style is a playful, nostalgic mood that wraps users up in a sense of early 2000s optimism.

Inflatable 3D

image credit: VistaPrint

Digital deconstruction: Embracing pixelation, fractured typography, glitch effects, distorted lines, high-contrast color palettes and vibrant neon hues, this rebellious aesthetic pushes back on the hyper-polished output from AI. The trend breaks down the digital image to create a sense of intrigue that beckons the viewers into a not-so-perfect, technological world.

Digital deconstruction

image credit: logo design by Souln on 99designs by Vista  

Freehand revival: The Japanese concept of Wabi-sabi, a world view centered on accepting transience and imperfection, is a guiding spirit in the freehand revival trend. Creating this trend’s delicate characters and tranquil landscapes are hand-drawn lines, curated color palettes with analogous tones and complementary hues.

Freehand revival

image credit: illustration by lulunamostu on 99designs by Vista 

Anime bold: Anime offers a cherished space for every fan: a realm of adventure, enchanting creatures, magical wonders. Nevertheless, the iconic visuals in this genre are instantly recognizable around the world.  This graphic style wholeheartedly embraces the animated pop aesthetic, crafting dynamic and visually captivating scenes. The illustrations within often feature a distinctive line style, blending the allure of hand-drawn art with a playful and cartoonish flair.

Anime bold

image credit: t-shirt design by yyusopp on 99designs by Vista

Garden cutouts: Henry Matisse’s flat, colorful botanical masterpieces inspire this nature-loving look. Building gardens with asymmetrical, geometric shapes, this trend adds a hand-crafted feel to graphic designs. In a world increasingly dominated by screens and technology, the garden cutouts trend invites us to embrace the serenity of the outdoors.

Garden cutouts

image credit: can design by smashingbug on 99designs by Vista 

Graphic graffiti: Graffiti texts have their own universe in the world of art. Rising to prominence in the 80s, the writing style can’t help but evoke an undeniably cool, industrial vibe. This trend, which will be punctuating the digital landscape in 2024, is an explosion of individualism that emphasizes the beauty of human touch so evident in street art.

Graphic graffiti

credit: album cover by Bogdan Preda on 99designs by Vista 

project info: 

brand: VistaPrint | @vistaprint

creative platform: 99designs by Vista | @99designs

year: 2024

trends: Graphic graffiti, Garden cutouts, Anime bold, Freehand revival, Future fusion, 3D hyper-surrealism, Bento-box grids, Cluttercore, Inflatable 3D, Digital deconstruction