Incorporating trends into design

Trends in design come and go over time, leaving us in a world that is constantly changing around us. It’s exhausting to keep up with this constant shift sometimes and it is important not to be left behind when trying to reach an audience. So should we be incorporating these trends in our design? The answer is a tough one and open for interpretation.
An important thing to remember about trends is that they represent an era or time period; who could forget the highly fashionable shoulder pads and leg warmers of the 80’s, or trends like creating 3D letters on absolutely everything. When we design something using current trends it will one-day be looked at as being a part of that era in design history. With this in mind, it is important to take into account the length of use for an item when creating a design solution. Things with shorter life cycles like posters, fashion items, cards, and diaries, will theoretically be on display for a set amount of time where it is much safer to use current trends. However other areas like corporate branding, logo design, and anything that can’t easily be redesigned, needs a solution which not only appeals to the current market but will continue to do so once trends have changed. This suggests that sometimes a more timeless design solution is more appropriate.

So how do we find the balance in using current trends?

Do your research

Remember that initial idea that pops into your head when you hear about a project? These initial thoughts may have influences from current trends, and existing ideas which we’ve already seen floating around. Sometimes it’s hard to break past this initial thought and develop it into something which stands out and apart from what’s already out there. This is why it’s important to do some careful research and find ways to incorporate inspiration whilst still creating an original design. What could be an acceptable design solution can become extraordinary with a well-researched conceptual approach.

Don’t over use trends

Don’t be that designer who didn’t know when to move forward. When everything looks the same it is hard to effectively reach people and create something which stands out. Trends might be popular but this is not a strong enough reason on it’s own to justify using them.

Find the best design solution

The best solution for something may not necessarily involve a particular trend in the industry. To effectively incorporate a current trend into a design it needs to fit with the brief and be useful in reaching the viewer and/or potential customer. In other words the design needs to call for a trend.

So while using trends helps us to reaching an audience it is important to only use these trends when it is suitable. It is also important to ensure that in using current design trends, we don’t loose our ability to push ideas and concepts to their full potential. So maybe we need to take a step back and look at current trends with a wider perspective and remember that one-day we will be looking back on these design trends as a past phase.

Blog written by Amy Sonter

Design Missionary

I have always been completely in awe of professions that enable lives to be saved. 

Doctors, Firefighters, Police Officers, Therapists, Scientists, Musicians, Veterinarians, Teachers, Humanitarians, Life Guards, Social Workers, Pastors, Missionaries. The list is endless.But what do I have to offer in the plight to save lives? I want what I do to actually matter, to make a difference. I want the opportunity to save lives.

I first became aware of Jay at Hillsong Conference last year. He spoke in a Creative Design lecture I was attending, where the things that he said radically changed the way I looked at all things creative and showed me a link between what I study, and my personal beliefs.

“Sometimes God has a hand in changing, influencing and giving you ideas in a prophetic sense so that your design can impact upon the people. All your creativity comes from God. He is the original creative.”

I can be a missionary, just like I’ve always wanted. What I do has the ability to speak to people outside of my Church, which means I can take God to places others cannot reach. I can bring people to know my God through my designs.

Jay uses his gifts in design a way I never dreamt possible. Being the Art Director of Hillsong Church is a platform that enables him to reach millions of people (considering that Hillsong United album ‘Zion’ reached #1 on the ARIA charts). He is someone I regard to be my biggest influence in continuing with graphic design, not just because of his creative work but by the purpose that drives him.

Now I can face my design future knowing that whatever I do and wherever I am, I can make a difference through what I do.“Sometimes God has a hand in changing, influencing and giving you ideas in a prophetic sense so that your design can impact upon the people. All your creativity comes from God. He is the original creative.”

You can find more of Jay’s work here.

Blog written by Danelle Morton.