My Favorite Visual Trends of 2021
More than any other year in history, design trends are being influenced by the world landscape. As you may know, I’m not really a trends girl. I opt for timeless and classic over chic and trendy. However, I don’t live in a bubble and I need to be aware of trends to know what clients and art buyers are looking for.
It’s fascinating to witness how current events, like a global pandemic, can literally alter how the world looks around us. As we head into Spring, this seemed like the perfect time to discuss how the visual world has changed.
I love all forms of design, so I’m going to approach this post from an overarching visual standpoint. They can be applied to any visual discipline, such as interior design, illustration, and graphic design. Alright, let’s get this party started.
Colors Inspired by the Outdoors
Last year, I highlighted two shades of green that are killing it in design - chartreuse and olive green. This year, green has done it again, but it’s a different shade. You may already know what it is, because this color is EVERYWHERE.
Illustration © Nicole Cicak.
This year’s hot shade is hunter green. As my favorite color, I couldn’t be more thrilled about this trend. I’ve been thinking about why this timeless color is suddenly in, and the more I thought about it, the more it made sense. With all the time everyone has spent indoors, people are craving greenery. Of all the greens, hunter green feels the most grounding. It’s historical, timeless, dependable, and sturdy. It’s also a little moody - reflecting the way the world feels right now. It’s a serious color for serious times. It’s the perfect reflection of where society is at right now.
Another color that’s very in is sky blue. Also inspired by the outdoors, it makes sense why we’re craving this color. However, I consider it more aspirational than a reflection of where we’re currently at. We’re drawn to this shade because it’s how we want to feel. It’s happy, upbeat, pure and innocent - reminding us of simpler times. We want to be outdoors and done with this pandemic.
In the Etsy 2021 Trend Report, they said :
“[Sky Blue] evokes optimism and calm. Sky blue reminds us of the outdoors, and has positive associations with openness, possibility, freedom, health, vitality, and hope.”
I couldn’t have said it better myself.
Photo © 404 Design Art on Etsy. Set of 5 Digital Downloads.
Photo © Pexels.com
Transparency
Illustration © Nicole Cicak.
In the midst of tragedy, Covid has made us reassess what really matters in life. We’re a lot more grounded than we used to be. We want to build a better world for future generations. Because of this, we’re craving visual transparency. Transparency comes in many forms, but it really boils down to eco-friendly, small batch, and handmade. Aspirational vibes are organic, soft, natural, well-made, and authentic.
There are many ways to interpret this trend, but it’s all about to storytelling. People want to know who’s making something and how. Big box shopping is out. Etsy and shopping local are in. As an Etsy seller, and wholesaler to small shops, I can get behind this trend big time. If you’re creating something, think about making it in the most sustainable way possible, leaving the smallest footprint.
Transparency is also communicated in the way something looks. People want to see a natural, handmade quality to their products. Natural fabrics like cotton and linen are in. Illustrations are in. Handwritten fonts are in. Textured botanicals are in. You get the idea.
Photo © Diani Boutique. Available for purchase.
Photo © Kathryn Davey.
Luxury
Illustration © Nicole Cicak.
Photo © CB2.
With all the time spent at home, people are really investing in their spaces. They’re decorating to the likes of boutique hotels and spas, because they aren’t going to these places anymore. Think luxury textiles, lighting, and appliances. When it comes to design, think decadence - gold foiling, and rich textures.
“Believe it or not, bidets will be popular. The toilet paper gate of 2020 scared us all, and lately my design firm has been getting a couple of inquiries about our thoughts on bidets.” — Tiffany Leigh (Good Housekeeping)
This bodes well for art, because I would definitely consider it a luxury. When making anything that will be in someone’s home, think quality and durability. Quality is king. People are willing to pay extra for something that will last for generations to come. Add that transparency element I just mentioned, and you have a winning product.
“Durability will continue to be more important and we will see a rise in using outdoor materials inside the home: there are so many great outdoor fabric options that allow you to make a mess and not worry about the clean-up, without having to sacrifice beauty.” -Timothy Corrigan (Vogue)
Spread Joy
Illustration © Nicole Cicak. Art print available for sale on Etsy.
Illustration © Nicole Cicak.
Everyone needs a little boost right now, so heir on the side of happy when making things. Squiggles, dots, and joyful patterns are in right now. You know I love my dots, so sign me up. Aside from hunter green and sky blue, think bright, happy colors like sunshine yellow and pastel orange.
Color is most definitely in. Gone are the days of white kitchens and white walls (much to my dismay). The way I choose to approach this trend is with pops of color. I will always be a neutral person, wearing a mostly monochromatic wardrobe, but colorful accessories are my jam. I love my yellow raincoat and crimson backpack. They just make me happy.
Granny Chic
Image © Corey Damen Jenkins. Pulled from SoFreshandSoChic.com.
The Maximalism trend from last year hasn’t gone away. This year, though, it’s showing itself in a different light. Think granny chic. It’s all about vintage-style accessories, wallpaper, and art. When it comes to graphic design, think vintage-inspired and over-the-top. We’re going to see a lot of stripes and checks this year - maybe even used together. Some think this trend is going to skew a bit country cottage. Some think it’s going to look more global.
I can see why this trend is happening in the world right now. What’s more comforting than Grandma’s house? This trend exists for the same reason everyone is drawn to hunter green. It makes us feel grounded and secure. It’s our way of creating a little world of our own at home. We can’t travel as much, so we’re very into creating a space with personality and charm.
To bring this trend into your visual work, think lots of texture and mixed patterns with a vintage feel. This style is a little quirky, so add some “weird” to your designs. Don’t be afraid of using too many colors together. Mismatching is good.
Wall Murals
Even though this trend doesn’t transcend all forms of visual communication, I thought it was worth mentioning because it captures all the trends I’ve covered thus far. Wall murals scream transparency, luxury, and maximalism. It’s the perfect way to make your home feel handmade and curated. Unsurprisingly, a lot of trending wall murals are nature scenes - further reflecting how much people are craving the outdoors. Add some hunter green and sky blue to your wall mural, and you couldn’t be more trendy.
While this trend does mainly apply to interior design, I could see it being used in illustration work and graphic design as well. For artists, landscapes are definitely in. And as far as graphic design goes, some painterly details may be just what your work needs.
Image © Dean Barger: Bar at Daniel Rose’s Le Coucou in Soho. Pulled from JennaLyons.com.
That’s it! Those are my favorite visual trends of the year. If you think along the lines of happy, natural, and comforting, you really can’t go wrong. Again these trends can be applied to illustration, graphic design, and home decor. I can’t wait to see how these trends change and evolve as the year goes on.
Thanks for stopping by! I’m an illustrator & writer. I’ve been running my own creative business since 2015. My mission is to help artists find their unique creative voice, build positive habits, and do what they love for a living.