2024 Design Trends

Here are just 6 of the many trends creatives at Bom Bom are forecasting for 2024:

01. Mascots

A number of influences come together to give rise to one of 2024’s biggest trends — Mascots; The rise of AI begs for a friendly face, Steamboat Willie entering the public domain giving new life to the rubberhose aesthetic and a growing desire among Millennials and Gen Z to project their beliefs and affinities onto lovable little characters. Look no further for evidence of this trend than Duolingo Owl’s 10M+ TikTok followers.

02. Shapes

Geometric shapes have been trending in the design world since the Germans brought us Bauhaus, so what makes this trend different? I’m not sure we have the answer, but we know it’s working. Big, geometric shapes are a minimal way to command attention, add color, texture or visual interest to any design.

03. Movement

Growing brands will incorporate motion graphics, not just as assets, but as extensions of their visual identities. Not only does this add eye candy to a design system, it also helps to communicate personalization and dynamism — common values for modern brands.

04. AIRBRUSH

Soft, grainy illustrations will continue to see a rise in 2024. This new, dream-pop nostalgic style is somehow simultaneously evocative of street art, MS paint, air-brush mall t-shirts, vintage sci-fi and Lisa Frank all at once. Marketers with a B2C Gen Z audience will quickly become familiar with this style as it will extend beyond illustration and into dreamy product photography as well.

05. PIXEL

As we continue to merge our digital selves with meatspace, stylized pixelation signals both nostalgia for an bygone era and promise for an integrated techno-utopia.?

06. COLOR OF THE YEAR

Get used to seeing this color, ‘cause it’s going to be everywhere. Tech sectors will pair it with black, neutrals and whites for an edgy, acidy feel while consumer markets will pair it with lavenders, sky blues and hunter greens for youthful optimism.?

2025 and Beyond

Look, AI likely isn't getting worse at generating graphics. If you want an idea of what's going to be considered "cool" in a year plus, start thinking about stuff AI struggles with, because as soon as the hot-new-thing can be easily replicated, it'll be cornier than grandma's casserole. Stuff like hyper-stylized illustrations and typography will be safe investments for brands. And you know what never goes out of style? Good customer service — that's timeless.