As one who often participates in forecasts and description of trends, I am aware that these are subjective references in which we usually have our best intentions as we proclaim what is in or out, but there is no scientific basis for our pronouncements. Perhaps it should be this way, especially when it comes to design issues.
As I reviewed this piece, I found myself gravitating to three entries in particular:
Trend #5: Anti-design
Anti-design (related but not entirely synonymous with Brutalism) is what it sounds like: it eschews traditional design principles and conventional aesthetic tastes. It challenges us with asymmetry, clashing colors, bare interfaces, crowded elements and stark typography. While we see it most commonly in the digital sphere, its spirit of rebellion can apply in any design context. To its critics, the style is ugly for the sake of ugly. But to its champions, it creates designs that are liberated from beauty standards somebody else has constructed.
My take: There has been anti-design since I can remember, even if it was not described as a trend (thankfully!). As I prepare for the second semester at Columbia, and teaching my Multiplatform Design & Storytelling, I am wondering how to introduce anti-design as a trend, especially when it appears on a list that has some admirable examples of other trends. I have plenty of time to think about this between now and the late January start of my course. I can’t imagine anti-design ever done on purpose. However, these are interesting times for everything, and design apparently is not an exception.
Trend #9: Frasurbane
Frasurbane—a portmanteau of the 90s American sitcom Frasier and the word “urbane”—is another style that hearkens back to the 90s but from the point of view of the young adults. It considers the GenXers who, at that point, were settling down in urban areas and were finally earning enough money to indulge themselves in some high culture. Essentially, this is encapsulated by Frasier’s Seattle apartment—which included a grand piano, a modernistic fireplace and a statement column all within a general beige decor.Here, it finds expression through stately serifs, muted colors and carefully placed design elements. This is a trend that wants to have it both ways—to balance stuffy adult sophistication with youthful city-dwelling hipness.
My take: There is something attractive about Frasurbane, just like Frasier, the iconic sitcom from where it gets its name always appeared to be an intelligently written and acted sitcom. I have shared Frasurbane trend with my designers, as I see great prospects and inspiration for it within the realm of mobile branding, for example.
Trend #2: Expressive and experimental lettering.
As the world becomes more global and online, we can’t always rely on words to convey meaning from culture to culture. Far from being a setback, many designers see this as an opportunity. For 2022, we expect lettering that pushes the bounds of easy legibility, creating forms that are expressive in and of themselves.
My take: If you are looking for inspiration as you rethink the branding of a publication, stop and take a look here. I like how color, type and creativity come together in these examples.
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TheMarioBlog post # 3340