Summary
Welcome to 2023!
As we move out of 2022, it's a good time to think about which trends will dominate this new year. While 2022 was a great year for marketers and advertisers, there are some new and exciting things on the horizon. In this post, we'll go over some of our favorite predictions for design trends that will take off in 2023 so that you can make sure your brand is ahead of the curve.
*All ad examples in this blog are for creative exploration only. They are Uppercase mock ups, not actual ads.
*These 2023 predictions are inspired by the Adobe 2023 Creative Report.
Intro
The design trends you see today are a reflection of the times we live in. They're also influenced by the people who use them, as well as the technology available at a given time. Design trends change over time, so what is popular one year may not be so hot five years later. For example, Memphis design was popular in 2021, but doesn't hold much weight now. Because of this constant evolution, each year has its own unique relationship with style and aesthetics: Some years are inspired by nature, while others embrace technology or celebrate culture; some explore simplicity, while others encourage creativity. We have lots of examples to review for ‘23 trends, so here we go!
1 - Nature Calls
In the post-pandemic world, we’re seeing a shift toward prioritizing mental health and wellness. This is driving new ways of exploring spirituality, nature, and wellness — moving beyond the physical world. Hop on this new wavelength and take a ride through these dimensions of mesmerizing gradients and rich, visual storytelling to capture your audience.
How will this be reflected in paid media?
The colors of nature, the textures of imaginary worlds, and the shapes of dreams have the ability to come to life in the creative world. Astrology content will also be a focus for 2023 and will likely be incorporated into paid media ads.
In the past, brands have focused on communicating what being ‘well’ looks like. In 2023, this new pursuit of wellbeing will shift to be more focused on showing how it feels.
2 - Self-Love
As we move into the next decade, brands are going to be competing for authenticity. The demand for real, unvarnished images and moments is soaring, and brands are responding by embracing campaigns featuring people of all races, genders, ages, abilities, and sizes. Instead of curated images, the focus is on raw, real life content.
According to a recent Pinterest Body Neutrality Report, there has been a 36% increase in “Loving myself” searches. So this year, we are expecting to see even more self love content.
How will this be reflected in paid media?
When you add motion, design, and visuals like these to your project, it gives it an authentic feel that viewers can connect with. The motion will make them feel like they're there with you, and the design will give them a sense of what kind of brand you are. The visuals will tell them what they need to know about your product or service without having to read anything at all!
So you can start to express your brand through a goofy, behind-the-scenes video, or you can capture someone's authentic style with colorful illustrations, and if you want to get personal with an emotion-filled close-up image - go for it!
3 - 90’s Flashback
If you thought that the 90's were dead and buried, think again.
The aesthetic that references the 90's and Y2K is still going strong, and it's not just limited to fashion. From old-school flip phones to a rise in the Y2K design aesthetic, get ready for a nostalgia overload.
In this trend, we'll break down why we're seeing a resurgence of 90's style, how you can use it in your own life, and where you can go from here!
How will this be reflected in paid media?
You know what's amazing about this color palette? It brings out the kid in all of us.
We're talking about #y2kfashion, which is a huge trend on TikTok and Instagram right now. According to data from Meta and TikTok, there are 337.9 million views on TikTok, and 924k posts on Instagram under this y2kfashion hashtag. A few top items included low-rise jeans, miniskirts, halter tops, and fingerless gloves.
This rainbow-fueled, toy-inspired style has been on the rise in recent years, and it is most commonly being seen in indie brands. From makeup to home decor, you can find anything you need to add a little bit of playfulness to your daily life—and have fun while doing it!
4 - Surrealist Maximalism
We're going maximalist and surrealist! Think larger than life psychedelic images with reality-bending elements. Expect visual storytelling to reach new heights in 2023, because minimalism and realism just won’t cut it. So dare to defy the rules of physics and whitespace, and go big or go home with your designs.
How will this be reflected in paid media?
We are going to see more bolder, brighter brand visuals over this year. Layered- colorful styles is all about maximalism and, of course, one core element is the unbearable lightness of chaos!
5 - New Wave Aesthetic
Apparently, the clean girl vibe is going to follow us into the new year. Get ready to see an abundance of brown-beige color palettes, silk textures, editorial styles, cool photo collages with neutral elements and, last but not least, serif fonts (one of the biggest hits of 2022 design elements). It’s still a huge hit on both TikTok and Instagram, and lots of brands are adopting this trend into their overall brand identities. So we can proudly say that less is more when it comes to new wave aesthetic...
How will this be reflected in paid media?
This aesthetic vibe works best for jewelry and appearance brands. To connect with this community, all you need to do is add more neutral colors to your brand palette, and include a focus on minimalistic and sustainable lifestyles through storytelling. In addition, lots of serif fonts and arc frames, cool photoshoots with retro presets - and that’s it! You are good to go for that ‘clean girl look.’
In Summary
As you move into 2023, it's important to keep an eye on emerging trends so that you don't fall behind. This is especially true in design, where aesthetic preferences change rapidly and the best way to stay ahead of the curve is to stay tuned in with what's hot at any given moment.
This is by no means an exhaustive list, but it will give you an idea of some of the things to look out for as we dive into the new year.