The beginning of the year is the time for us to look ahead at what we think will be popular in the design space in the coming year. From nostalgic Y2K futurism, to a 60’s throwback, we’re breaking down 5 design trends for 2022.
These are trends we’ve been seeing everywhere, and that we’re excited to see in the coming year! Read on to find out what we think the new year has in store for the way we design our packaging.
60’s psychedelia
Bright, bold colours, distorted fonts and shapes–it’s groovy! This combination is reminiscent of the ’60s, when psychedelic colours and peace and love were all the rage. We love this trend for its quirky touch and emphasis on bold colour combinations. While this trend can be complex, it can also be simple, which is just as effective! Even with a more simple version of this trend, it makes an effortlessly cool statement.
quirky text-based design
In a previous blog post, we talked about the features of text-heavy design versus illustration-heavy design. But this year, we predict that text-heavy designs will take centre stage, with a fun twist. Bold, fun fonts are the name of the game in this design trend.
A few sub-categories of this trend are projected to be big this year, including:
fluid display
Romantic and flowy, fluid display fonts are less formal than a traditional font. This ethereal quality makes them perfect for lifestyle brands, like these designs from Quandor Beauty.
Design by YUNGBLD Studio
modern retro
The modern retro font is a more readable version of the classic retro typefaces of the ’70’s. When paired with bold colour combinations, this font trend is a favourite for its playful, youthful feel, while still being legible!
Design by MIM Studio
mixed width
It’s no stretch to say that we think mixed width fonts will be making a statement in 2022. Mixing widths gives fonts a fun, stretched out look. A more rounded mixed width font is playful and fun, while a monoline font like the one in the example on the left can give a modern cyberspace feel.
Design by Lewis McGuffie
super chunky
Chunky, blobby, round. This is the essence of the super chunky font. These fonts are big, bold, and make a statement. Used in the place of illustrations and other graphics, these fonts have maximum impact when paired with contrasting colours.
Design by Aja M. Johnson, via Dieline
simple serifs
Last, but certainly not least are the simple serifs. Simplicity is key sometimes, and if you were looking for something minimal, but still intriguing, this is your font trend. The best thing about these fonts? Their versatility! Useful for a wide variety of products and businesses, simple serifs are a no-brainer.
Design by Rebu Studio
colour mists
Plain packaging with a spray of colour makes this design trend’s structure. The misting of bold colours brings a serene, minimal aesthetic to any packaging. Although we’re predicting this to be a big trend for 2022, you’ve likely seen this trend already making the rounds on social media!
One of our favourite things about this trend is that you can mix and match the placement and size of the gradients across products, but still keep the entire collection looking cohesive!
business on the outside, party on the inside
When it comes to your packaging, it’s what’s on the inside that matters, and this trend is all about that principle! Despite their unassuming, basic exterior, this trend thrives on the element of surprise. If you’re looking to create a more memorable unboxing experience, this trend is the one for you!
y2k resurgence
Finally, the last trend we’re predicting for 2022 is a resurgence of the Y2K aesthetic. The future is nostalgic with this trend, but it’s been given a modern edge. Focusing on chromes, pale colours, and geometric shapes, the Y2K aesthetic lives on with a fresh look! This trend is playful and vibrant, making it the perfect choice for makeup and beauty brands.
Which of these 5 design trends is right for me?
Overall, trends come and go. While we love a good design trend, it’s very easy to get overwhelmed by the number of options you have.
Love one of these 5 design trends for 2022, but aren’t sure how to incorporate them into your packaging, contact us today to speak with a member of our Design team! They can help make suggestions on how to make the trends work in your favour. Whether you have your own design or need something completely unique, we’re with you every step of the way!
