The Graphic Design Trends That Have Defined the 2020s (so Far)
If someone were to describe something as having a “70s aesthetic” or being “so 90s,” you’d probably have a good idea of what they mean. Even if you weren’t around to remember the unique vibes of those decades, the trends, fashion, styles, and designs have become synonymous with their eras.
Now, if someone were to ask you to picture a “2020s aesthetic,” it might be more difficult. It’s challenging to identify design trends as they’re happening. But it’s important to try. Knowing the design trends of the day allows more informed decisions about the visual language of creative campaigns. Knowing which designs are prevalent can inform when one should go with the flow or zig where everyone zags.
Here are some design trends that have defined the 2020s (so far) and what they reveal about a creative world that refuses to sit still.
Nostalgia
In what is perhaps absolutely a cop-out trend, the 2020s have been rife with going back to the days of yore. The early 2020s saw the rebirth of 90s grunge, 2000s Y2K chrome, and even a dash of 70s psychedelia.
Burger King went full vintage with its rebrand. After 22 years of a bright, bubbly logo, they went back to (a version of) the logo they had in 1969.
When the future feels uncertain, the past becomes a refuge. Nostalgic design isn’t just retro—it’s emotional insulation. These familiar aesthetics provide comfort in a chaotic digital world, serving up visual comfort food for an overstimulated audience.
Maximalism
Minimalism walked so maximalism could sprint in platform boots. We’re talking color overload, clashing patterns, and typography that’s practically screaming at you (in the best way). Some call it “anti-design.” We call it honest chaos.
After years of sanitized, cookie-cutter branding, audiences craved authenticity—even if it meant sensory overload. Maximalism breaks the grid and reminds us that design is supposed to feel alive.
This has become a preferred design trend for brands trying to get a foothold in industries where a few big players dominate the market. Take Poppi for example. It’s a low-calorie soda that launched in 2020, currently carving out a market among the Cokes, Pepsis, and Dr. Peppers of the world. While the established, old brands are leaning into the aforementioned nostalgia, Poppi is going in the opposite direction. Probably because it lets them stand out. But maybe also because they don’t have decades to throw back to. Yet.
Cash App did something similar, as they attempted to stand out among Venmo, PayPal, and Zelle, which have all gone with contemporary, tech aesthetics.
Authenticity
A global exhale. Amid the AI art boom and algorithmic perfection, designers rediscovered the power of imperfection. Hand-drawn doodles, uneven lines, and tactile textures gave the work a pulse.
In a sea of deepfakes and synthetic content, human-handmade visuals stand out. The personal touch became a design statement—proof of authenticity in a hyper-digital world. "This was made by someone who cares."
Mailchimp’s visual identity still leads the charge here. Its quirky illustrations set the tone for countless indie brands. You’ll find the authenticity trend across packaging for organic foods, wellness brands, and boutique businesses that want to feel “organic.”
3D & Animation
Designers traded flat shapes for inflated bubbles, surreal environments, and interactive motion graphics. 3D isn’t just for gaming anymore—it’s for everyone with a story to tell (and a decent GPU).
We live in a motion-first, attention-scarce world. Static visuals struggle to compete when they're next to their action-oriented cousins. As rendering tools became more accessible, 3D turned from a luxury to an expectation. It’s vibrant, dynamic, and straight-up hypnotic.
Apple, Google, and tech startups everywhere have embraced the sleek, dimensional aesthetic. From app interfaces to social content, the 3D look makes every pixel feel alive. And in 2025, it’s one of the most forward-looking design trends—where art, animation, and interactivity collide.
Mad Genius’s Take
We’ve never been afraid of a little chaos. Mad Genius has leaned into nostalgic palettes and chunky retro typography when the story called for warmth. We’ve embraced maximalist layouts when the goal was to overwhelm—in a good way. We’ve gotten messy, drawn by hand, and even dipped into 3D realms when the message demanded motion.
The graphic design trends of 2025 paint a wild picture: part comfort blanket, part technicolor rebellion, part human heart. From nostalgic rewinds to maximalist explosions, from handmade doodles to digital depth, these aesthetics capture the duality of our times—chaotic yet creative, anxious yet endlessly curious.
What’s next? Probably more weirdness. Maybe AI nostalgia mashups. Perhaps minimalist maximalism (don’t think too hard about it). Whatever the future brings, one thing’s for sure: the only real trend is change itself.
Ready for a new visual identity of your own? Unsure whether to turn back the clock with a nostalgic look or go with something bold and contemporary? Schedule a chat and let's talk it through.