As we approach a new year, fresh, bold and creative graphic design trends are taking the spotlight. Here’s the exciting part: design trends are more accessible than ever for small businesses. If you’re thinking about trying a fresh look, mixing styles or doing something completely unexpected, this is your moment to experiment and find the graphic design trend that aligns with your brand. Great marketing and branding isn’t just about what looks good—it’s about creating an experience that’s as fun for you as it is for your customers.
We’re kicking off this year’s graphic design trends with examples and tips to help you strike the perfect balance between visually appealing and highly effective design. We’ll break down the specific elements of each trend and explain how to incorporate them into your marketing and branding.
Top 2025 graphic design trends:
1. Mismatched and Bright
This graphic design trend, Mismatched and Bright, involves piecing together fonts in different widths, styles and sizes and bright, contrasting colors, much like those ’90s magazine letter cutouts but with a modern and digital twist. This playful trend emphasizes contrast and imperfection, allowing small businesses to experiment with a quirky aesthetic that grabs customers’ attention. And isn’t that what great design should do?
Source: Mismatched and Bright poster design by goopanic via 99designs by Vista
At its core, this graphic design trend plays with visual variety. Designers from 99designs by Vista Eva Hilla and minimalistic.a.t. describe the trend as “bright colors, original fonts with lots of personality, clean branding” and “funky bold wordmarks.”
Key elements of the Mismatched and Bright graphic design trend:
- Mismatched fonts: Different fonts, varying in size, shape and width.
- Color contrasts: Bold and unexpected contrasting colors like neon yellows and deep purples.
- Playful layouts: Asymmetry and irregular spacing for a dynamic and unique look.
- Funky wordmarks: Wordmarks using bold, quirky typography give your brand a distinct voice.
Source: Mismatched and Bright branding design by Eva Hilla via 99designs by Vista
Source: Branding design by Radovan Ciobanenco via 99designs by Vista
Incorporate parts of it into your branding or marketing to make a statement. Those who provide a professional service might subtly use this trend on social media or marketing materials. While, a retail brand might experiment with mismatched fonts and contrasting colors in signage and packaging.
Source: Poster design by goopanic via 99designs by Vista
Source: Book cover design by goopanic via 99designs by Vista
Source: Logo design by thisisremedy via 99designs by Vista
2. Structured Scrapbook
Designers are bringing the charm of old-school scrapbooking into digital design with a more careful and considered approach using structure, placement and balance. Structure Scrapbook is all about intentional layering and collaging images, cutouts, doodles, tape and stickers in a playful and polished way.
Source: Structured Scrapbook digital collage by Loveshugah via 99designs by Vista
Key elements of the Structured Scrapbook graphic design trend:
- Layered design: Overlapping images, cutouts and stickers to create a collage effect.
- Nostalgic textures: Textural details like polaroids, tape, torn edges and paper.
- Hand-drawn touches: Playful doodles, scribbles and handwritten fonts.
- Careful placement: The trend brings intentional structure and balance to every scrapbook-esque element.
This trend is a natural fit for creative industries, event planners or lifestyle brands aiming to evoke a personal and nostalgic feel in their branding and marketing materials. To bring this look to life, try layering Polaroid-style images and playful hand-drawn elements. You can easily mix, match and adapt the graphic design trend’s elements to fit your brand.
Source: Book cover design by Boja via 99designs by Vista
“This trend will bring unique features of scrapbooking into digital realms, such as websites adorned with Polaroid-like textures and whimsical, hand-drawn fonts.”—Paul Anthony Vizconde, VistaPrint design team
3. Nostalgic Networks
Unlike the structured scrapbook trend, which leans into analog, Nostalgic Networks taps into the retro-tech era of simple color schemes and uncluttered layouts, blending old-school computer vibes with modern design elements.
Source: Logo design using retro fonts and symbols associated with the early days of the Internet by Radovan Ciobanenco via 99designs by Vista
Source: Hyperpop forefront record label logo design by Julie ✨ via 99designs by Vista
Key elements of the Nostalgic Networks graphic design trend:
- Basic geometric shapes: Grids, stars, circles and lines, recalling early digital aesthetics.
- Simple colors: Primary colors in muted tones, reminiscent of early digital screens.
- Minimalism: Clean, pared-down layouts that feel nostalgic yet fresh.
- Retro-tech details: Pixelated fonts, ASCII art (computer art that uses characters to make images) and retro icons inspired by early computer games.
This graphic design trend is perfect for brands looking to tap into tech nostalgia while keeping their visuals sleek and modern. It’s especially suited for skincare and beauty brands, as well as marketing companies and tech startups, and any business that values innovation and authenticity.
For subtle Nostalgic Networks graphic design accents in your branding and marketing, try using pixelated fonts in email campaigns and adding retro-inspired icons to your website or packaging.
“This style stands out because it mixes those vintage computer graphics and simple color schemes with more modern design touches. It’s like a throwback to when tech was just starting to get cool, but it still feels fresh.”—Radovan Ciobanenco, Designer at 99designs by Vista
Source: Website design by Yevhen Genome via 99designs by Vista
4. Etches and Imprints
The Etches and Imprints graphic design trend is a pushback against synthetic perfection, focusing on what machines can’t replicate—the presence of human touch—seen in smudges, fingerprints and imprints. Designers are reclaiming their craft, quite literally leaving their mark on their work.
Source: Paint company logo design by goopanic via 99designs by Vista
As AI churns out flawless designs, human creators are leaning into imperfection, adding a tactile, nonchalant and personal feel. Etches and Imprints is raw, real and unmistakably human. It’s anti-AI, anti-hyperrealism and anti-synthetic.
Key elements of the Etches and Imprints graphic design trend:
- Human-made imperfections: Smudges, fingerprints and textures that highlight human touch.
- Anti-synthetic aesthetic: A rejection of hyperrealism in favor of raw imperfection.
- Organic imprints: Fingerprints, etches and subtle human traces that add warmth and authenticity.
Whether operating in the creative, film or food industries, by emphasizing craftsmanship and authenticity, this graphic design trend will help your brand stand out and build trust, lending brands a personal and warm feel.
“It looks like a bunch of designers are going back to basics, using human and natural elements to experiment with design and typography.”—Justing Hamra, Creative Director at VistaPrint
5. Childlike Textures
Just like the Etches and Imprints trend, Childlike Textures rejects the precision of AI-generated design. This time, though, it’s all about tapping into the raw and free-spirited creativity and imagination of the youth.
“With a thick outline and expressive colors, the designs tapping into this trend feel like manual work,” says the Designer catpacker at 99designs by Vista. Using raw, organic lines and edges, these graphics essentially look like a child could have drawn them, making your brand come across as fun, down-to-earth and relatable.
Key elements of the Childlike Textures graphic design trend:
- Thick organic lines: Rough strokes that embrace imperfection.
- Bold, expressive colors: Bright hues that bring energy and playfulness.
- Hand-drawn feel: Bold, uninhibited designs that look like they were drawn by hand.
This 2025 graphic design trend is a perfect fit for businesses that want to inject some fun and personality into their branding.
Source: Natural soap packaging design by Ilka A. via 99designs by Vista
Businesses can incorporate small elements of the Childlike Textures trend, like playful color accents or hand-drawn icons, without overwhelming their brand identity.
6. Contemporary Nouveau
The Contemporary Nouveau graphic design trend brings the elegance of 1920s Art Nouveau posters into the modern era using bold and traditional typography, eye-catching scripts and vibrant colors against dark backgrounds. It’s all about reimagining history and interpreting a specific time and place.
Key elements of the Contemporary Nouveau graphic design trend:
- Bold typography: Strong, clean fonts with high visibility inspired by early 20th-century posters.
- Vivid color contrasts: Bright, expressive colors that contrast the background.
- Dark backgrounds: Rich backdrops that highlight vibrant colors and typography.
- Stylized illustrations: Graphic hand-drawn-style imagery, echoing 1920s Art Nouveau.
- Ornate details: Decorative lines and shapes that add sophistication.
- Minimalist compositions: Clean layouts that let typography take center stage.
The Contemporary Nouveau trend offers a stylish mix of sophistication and nostalgia, making brand logos and marketing materials stand out. It’s a great fit for businesses wanting to blend elegance with a modern touch—think luxury products, boutique brands or upscale restaurants.
“This design channels the bold, graphic style of that era, where artworks pop against dark black backgrounds with strong typographic intentions.”—admngy, Designer at 99designs by Vista
Source: Wine label design by Designus via 99designs by Vista
Source: Poster design by Windmill Designer™ via 99designs by Vista
7. Rewilding Design
The Rewilding Design trend brings a breath of fresh air, pulling inspiration straight from nature into the digital space. Visually, this design trend uses soft flowing lines that mimic the curve of leaves or the movement of water and textures that resemble wood, stone or foliage. Color schemes often lean into earthy tones and watery hues, like deep greens, warm browns and soft blues.
Source: Logo design with natural elements by GURU23 via 99designs by Vista
Source: Logo design using a leaf icon by Nick Visual Co. via 99designs by Vista
Key elements of the Rewilding Design trend:
- Natural textures: Wood, stone and foliage textures add a tactile and organic feel.
- Flowing shapes: Curves and soft lines mimic shapes seen in the natural world.
- Natural colors: Earthy greens are popular, so don’t be afraid to combine them with vibrant hues.
Brands that embrace this trend can convey a message of environmental responsibility and holistic wellness—qualities that speak to today’s conscious consumers. This graphic design trend is perfect for brands that want to emphasize sustainability, wellness or a close connection to nature—think eco-friendly products, wellness brands or sustainable fashion lines.
Source: Branding design with flowers and palm trees by Molecula via 99designs by Vista
Logo design with palm tree motifs by AnaMaria.Design via 99designs by Vista
Source: Custom hoodie with flower motifs via VistaPrint
8. Not Quite Minimalism
There’s no way we could skip Not Quite Minimalism—the trend that took over in the summer of 2024. It started with pop icon Charli XCX’s album Brat. The album’s marketing popularized low-resolution images and carefree font choice, with the signature “Brat green” becoming the unofficial color of the year. From social media posts to billboards, brands have jumped on the bandwagon, and it looks like these bold fonts and contrasting colors will carry into 2025.
This trend is about bold and ugly minimalism. It plays on minimalism’s love for space, clean lines and uncluttered layouts but cranks up the volume with bold fonts and vibrant colors.
Source: Not quite minimalism business cards by goopanic via 99designs by Vista
Key elements of the Not Quite Minimalism graphic design trend:
- Bold fonts: Eye-catching minimalist typography with a twist.
- Vibrant colors: Bold, sometimes clashing colors to create an impact.
- Clean layouts: Lots of space and simplicity, but with bold photography, colors or text to create contrast.
The reason this trend is blowing up is pretty simple—it’s bold enough to catch your eye but still keeps things modern and sleek, making it perfect for brands that want to stand out or appeal to younger audiences.
And guess what? This trend is for everyone. The Brat-craze proved it—brands from every industry, whether fashion, tech or food, found a way to incorporate the Brat font or that wild green into their marketing.
Source: Announcement poster via VistaPrint
Source: Packaging design by goopanic via 99designs by Vista
Source: Visual identity by goopanic via 99designs by Vista
9. Functional and Serene
While most 2025 graphic design trends are big and bold, the Functional and Serene trend is for brands that want to keep things calm, practical and serene designs using natural materials and muted tones, which “evoke a calm and timeless elegance,” says Stylish designer1, a designer at 99designs by Vista.
Inspired by Japandi design, a blend of Japanese minimalism and Scandinavian functionality, this trend focuses on simplicity and functionality without sacrificing warmth. It’s all about uncluttered and practical designs.
“I’m interested in Japandi design style right now as it emphasizes simplicity, functionality and natural elements, creating serene and harmonious spaces.”—Paul Anthony Vizconde, VistaPrint design team
Key elements of the Functional and Serene graphic design trend:
- Natural materials: Materials that mimic wood, stone and organic textures create an earthy, grounded feel.
- Muted colors: Soft, neutral color palettes have a calming effect.
- Simple yet functional: Clean, uncluttered designs that focus on practicality.
This trend offers a quieter approach that’s perfect for wellness, beauty and design brands. But even if you’re not in those fields, you can still explore this trend—tech brands can embrace soft tones and natural textures, and retail brands can use muted packaging for a more serene vibe.
Source: Business card design by goopanic via 99designs by Vista
10. The evolution of AI
The evolution of AI may not be a graphic design trend itself, but it’s shaping the industry in a big way. Its role and aesthetic have shifted from creating extravagant, over-the-top visuals to making subtle enhancements used by designers to enhance and amplify their designs.
We’re seeing a lot more AI designs that aren’t obviously AI—it’s no longer the main act but the quiet assistant that helps designers elevate their work, adding precision without stealing the spotlight. The “AI look” is becoming more subtle and natural, moving away from the hyperrealist and perfect designs from previous years.
Source: Book cover design by semnitz™ via 99designs by Vista
Source: Wine can design by ve_sta via 99designs by Vista
Ready for a trendy makeover?
Looking at the graphic design trends for 2025, we’re seeing a push for bold and maximalist aesthetics, a revival of nature and humanity in design and an intriguing blend of historical eras with modernity. These trends share one thing in common: the desire to experiment and push boundaries while staying connected to authenticity and creativity.
With 48% of small business owners planning to invest more in marketing and try new tactics next year, staying ahead of the curve means experimenting with graphic design trends. And remember, you don’t have to commit to just one or go all in. Use one element from the trend, mix and match elements from different trends and create a unique look that speaks to your brand identity!
