Brand Design Trends for 2025

Here we are – 2025. That means it’s time to dust off the crystal ball and get with what’s in and what’s out because the landscape of branding design is evolving. This year we’ll see new trends driven by tech advancements, shifting consumer preferences, and a growing emphasis on physicality and inclusivity.


AI

An important part of the creative arsenal, generative AI-powered design, is here to stay.  It’s not necessarily a bad thing because in the right hands, AI has helped 90% of creators with their productivity. And 76% of construction and architecture firms are planning for AI workflows integration. For customer-facing visuals and interactions though, the trick will be to make AI to appear to be as human as possible.

Grainy Textures

Textured grains, reminiscent of natural materials, like sand and stone, and that nostalgic film grain is gaining popularity. Be it shadows or gradients, it adds depth and movement. Evoking a sense of creativity and experimentation, this technique tends to add that raw human component opposed to the super slick, smooth AI-generated images.


Inclusivity Is Non-Negotiable

Authentic representation will continue and brands will go beyond tokenism to embrace it. With the 50+ age group controlling 71%+ of the nation’s wealth and 85% of women controlling or influencing consumer spending, marketers have to shift their young and trendy idealisms into realistic customer experiences. Moving forward, every facet of the human experience will be acknowledged; so expect to see designs addressing every ability, culture, and shade of human life.

Photo of smiling woman with prosthetic leg - Wild thingsFruity Flyers  campaign with brand messaging Bite Me

Minimalist Maximalism

Say what? Yep – it’s the blend between a big bold minimalist style with clean lines and negative space with the maximalist over abundance of unexpected, eclectic elements, and vibey color palettes.

Human Physical Experience

We’re finally returning to the physical experience because tech has hijacked all our attention for way too long. We’re burnt out. We crave personal interactions and products that are hand-made, personal, and sustainable. Hence, anti-design is making a debut with its rebellious spirit comprised of varied fonts, overlapping text, altered element spacing, and irregular compositions.

Color Clashing

Keeping in tune with anti-design, following a standard complementary color approach is out the window. Competing color palettes, the contemporary approach that shouldn’t work, explode with eye-popping appeal and it’s emotive, expressive, and definitely full of personality.

Here are a few more worthy mentions you’ll see on the brand designscape this year.

  • Retro Serif Branding - inspired by vintage typography gives us  nostalgic appeal

  • Modern Gothic Badges - bold lines and angular shapes, convey a sense of strength, authority, and heritage (I foresee a modern take on art deco in the near future and I’m here for it!)

  • Pixelated Fonts & Branding - reminiscent of early digital graphics, create a sense of retrofuturism

    Sustainability and Eco-Friendliness - sustainable practices and eco-friendly materials integration

As the branding landscape continues to evolve, it’s important that your business stays relevant, in-tune with modern values, and deliver an engaging customer experience. So check in and tune up else lose out.

-Patrick Baxter, Chief Creative

BAXTERbranded

Patrick Baxter

Patrick Baxter

· creative, designer, director

· brand design and management

· artist and culture vulture

· experience strategist

A big fat education and 25+ years experience in brand, promotional campaign, Web and digital design, PJ (Patrick) is sometimes referred to as a UX unicorn and focuses on critical consumption, creative delivery, and strategy. The founder of BAXTER branded, he enjoys all things interactive while engaging in the world of fine arts and being a professor for Web Design and Interactive Media.

https://www.baxterbranded.com
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