2024 design trends: a retro revival with a twist.

1. 3D Type and Bubble Text

According to Adobe, 3D typography, particularly in the form of bubble text, is gaining popularity. This playful style adds depth and a sense of fun to designs, making them stand out. [Source]

'As a way to make designs feel playful and joyful, bubble text has been slowly creeping into more and more designs for the past few years and even more so when combined with 3D animation.'

Bold, rounded letters in a 3D style spell "LOVE" in pink and "CHAT" in yellow, set against a muted yellow background. The words appear in a playful and soft bubble font.

2. ’70s Nostalgia

In my teen years, the ‘70s were making a comeback, with renewed love for knee-high boots, long-collared leather jackets, and flared jeans, not to mention teased hair. The revival of a little ’70s nostalgia with faded colour palettes, retro patterns, and experimental typography, has me dreaming of my youth, not least because nostalgia seems to bring comfort in uncertain times. [Source]

'Major brands are bringing back 1970s-era logos, packaging, and advertising styles to appeal to consumers who fondly remember these designs from their youth.'

Retro poster featuring the word "Soulway" in bold serif font over layered rainbow arches in pink, orange, and yellow tones, with additional text promoting a vintage-style font by Indieground Design.
Geometric design with layered rectangles in red, orange, beige, light teal, teal, and navy blue, arranged concentrically from the bottom left corner towards the top right.

3. Anti-Design

My inner perfectionist is freaking out over this one! This Anti-Design trend is rebellious and loves to break all the traditional design rules. Impact is created using multiple fonts, unconventional spacing, and unexpected compositions to create eye-catching designs that have you turning your head to the side to look at them. [Source]

'We’re seeing sacrilege like multiple fonts with varying weights and sizes grouped into one sentence.'

A bold, abstract graphic poster featuring the text "Antidesign Festival 2010" in large, blocky white and black letters over a yellow and black patterned background, with additional small, rotated text along the left side.
Abstract graphic portrait of Vladimir Tatlin in black and white, overlaid with bold geometric shapes, letters, and numbers on a bright yellow background. The design is modern and visually fragmented.

4. Abstract Gradients and Color Transitions

According to Looka, bold and punchy gradients are becoming more prevalent, with designers using vibrant, neon colours to create modern, dynamic looks. [Source]

'We’re seeing vibrant neon colours that are lava lamp-esque and add a surreal look to designs.'

Abstract digital artwork featuring vibrant, swirling colours in orange, yellow, blue, and pink, with the text “LIQUID LAVA 20” centred, and smaller text in white listing words like “DIMENSIONS,” “LUMINESCENT,” and “MAGNETICS.”.
Abstract image featuring smooth, flowing gradients of yellow, red, orange, black, and purple, blending together in a curved, wave-like pattern with a vibrant, glowing effect.

Hmmm… I’m seeing a trend in all these trends! Fun bubbles and rounded typography, retro patterns, rebelliousness, and lava lamps… maybe the trend is just Retro 70’s!

Have you noticed any of these design trends this year? I’d love to see some examples you’ve found.