Graphic Design trends of 2011

As this year closes, it's time to look back at some of the strongest influences in graphic design for the year 2011:


-Minimalist Design
Some of the best and most efficient logos have always been the minimalist yet powerful symbols created by a very basic type. Helvetic Neue has been one of the more popular types for many designs.
So clear, clean-cut lines are still some of the prevalent and most used graphic types yet.






-Organic shapes and patterns
Organic patterns like molecular/ cell grids, flower and tree patterns, flowing plant shapes and feminine silhouettes are some of the most popular backgrounds for identity and many other backgrounds and even patterns used for decoration.


In addition, there's also a trend to combine these two styles: Minimalist type along with a pattern background.

-Hand-drawn illustration and type
There's a growing demand for more original work: commissioned illustrations for products, characters, animations and even hand-made type are among some of the favorite original work that is commonly requested. Most of the fashion magazines now have many or plenty of their commercials with classic fashion illustration.
The video game industry is always looking for original work by video game designers.

-Architectural and city landscapes

Many more motion graphic arts are layering minimalistic architecture and complicated city landscapes.

This has been a growing trend for years now.

One of my favorite songs and videos Animal by Miike Snow shows this nice interplay of the many trends I mentioned in the blog:

 

-Volume / 3D or different types of dimensionality.

All the new Social Media Icons are made this way: like they are 'coming out ' of the page, almost tactile.

Wo

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Image sources:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/typoatelier/6108948388/sizes/z/in/photostream/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/cowgummy/612375038/sizes/m/in/photostream/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/tatielle/2641287607/sizes/m/in/photostream/