"Design is intelligence made visible." – Alina Wheeler
Graphic design is more than just aesthetic appeal. It’s a tool for telling stories, sparking emotions, and driving action. As we head into 2024, mixed media graphic design is stepping up as a major player, breaking barriers and blending elements in ways we’ve never seen before. From sleek, minimalist designs to chaotic, color-clashing visuals, the mixed media trend is all about combining forms, textures, and technologies to create something entirely new.
Whether you’re a designer, a marketer, or just someone who appreciates cool graphic designs, understanding what’s on the horizon is crucial. Let’s dive into the mixed media graphic design trends for 2024, where we'll explore the most exciting directions modern graphic design is taking this year. Get ready for vibrant visuals, nostalgia-fueled pieces, and futuristic elements that’ll transform the design world as we know it!
Why Mixed Media? The Power of Combination
Mixed media isn’t new, but the way it’s being used today is groundbreaking. By definition, mixed media is the combination of different materials and artistic forms—think photography, digital illustrations, textured overlays, and 3D models. What makes mixed media graphic design trends in 2024 so compelling is the limitless potential it offers. Designers can tap into various mediums and integrate them, creating fresh, unexpected visuals that captivate the viewer.
For example, think about a campaign that uses hand-drawn illustrations overlaid on real photographs, then animated into motion graphics. This approach doesn’t just add variety; it allows for a layered storytelling experience. This trend embraces diversity in both style and substance, appealing to modern audiences who crave authenticity and creativity.
Top Mixed Media Graphic Design Trends in 2024
Let's break down the trends driving this movement and how they’re shaping the 2024 graphic design landscape.
1. Analog Meets Digital: The New Vintage
In 2024, one of the coolest trends in mixed media is fusing analog and digital elements. Nostalgia-driven design is huge, and nothing screams nostalgia like analog textures—think grainy film, retro typography, or hand-drawn sketches. But now, designers are taking these vintage elements and pairing them with crisp, digital counterparts.
How to Use This Trend:
- Layer Analog Textures on Digital Designs: Use photo filters, grain effects, and overlays to give modern images an old-school vibe.
- Mix Hand-Drawn Illustrations with Vector Graphics: Combining traditional art techniques with clean, digital illustrations makes for a visually dynamic design.
This trend appeals to Gen Z design trends, which lean heavily on authenticity and emotional appeal. Gen Z grew up during a digital explosion, but they hold a fascination with all things retro. If you’re targeting a younger demographic, experiment with blending old and new to create pieces that feel both fresh and familiar.
2. Interactive 3D Elements
Interactive 3D elements are on fire this year, and they’re taking over mixed media graphic design. What started with simple 3D logos and text has evolved into immersive 3D graphics that let users explore a brand in an interactive way.
How to Use This Trend:
- Create 3D Interactive Visuals for Social Media: Use software like Adobe Dimension or Blender to make 3D graphics that viewers can rotate, zoom in on, or even interact with.
- Integrate AR and VR: Brands are starting to use augmented and virtual reality to elevate the 3D experience. Think product demos that customers can try out virtually or interactive environments they can explore on their phones.
This trend not only draws in viewers but also engages them on a deeper level. And with the availability of VR and AR tools expanding, this approach is becoming more accessible for brands looking to create cool graphic designs that stand out.
3. Typography as a Main Character
In 2024, text isn’t just there to convey information; it’s becoming the star of the show. We’re talking bold, large-scale typography that acts as the main focal point of a design, often paired with animated effects or textured overlays. Text is powerful, and when done right, it can be as compelling as an image.
How to Use This Trend:
- Experiment with Oversized Fonts: Use bold, blocky letters that take up most of the design space.
- Play with Textures and Gradients: Make your text pop by adding textures like metallic foil, glitch effects, or neon gradients.
- Animate Your Typography: Use GIFs or short videos to bring your typography to life. Animate the letters to pulse, rotate, or shimmer—whatever brings attention to the message.
Typography is essential for building brand identity and emphasizing a message. With bold, character-filled fonts, designers can make a statement that resonates, all while showcasing the brand’s personality.
4. Organic, Natural Textures and Colors
As eco-awareness continues to grow, the design world is leaning into the use of natural, organic textures and earth-inspired colors. Think muted greens, warm browns, and soft blues—tones that reflect nature’s palette. For 2024, this trend extends to mixed media by combining raw textures like wood grains, natural fabrics, or paper with clean, modern digital elements.
How to Use This Trend:
- Use Earthy Color Schemes: Soft browns, deep greens, and soothing blues create a calming and grounded feel.
- Incorporate Real Textures: Overlay digital images with high-res textures of natural materials—like recycled paper, stone, or linen—to give your designs a tactile quality.
This approach works especially well for brands with a focus on sustainability. If you’re targeting eco-conscious consumers, this style will not only look appealing but will also align with their values.
5. AI and Generative Art
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and machine learning have begun shaping modern graphic design like never before. AI tools can now generate designs, suggest color palettes, and even create complete artworks. In 2024, mixed media design is incorporating generative art, where algorithms help create images that have a touch of randomness and a unique aesthetic.
How to Use This Trend:
- Leverage AI-Generated Backgrounds: Use tools like DALL-E or Midjourney to create abstract backgrounds and integrate them with your illustrations.
- Experiment with Data-Driven Art: Some AI tools let you input data, which then affects the final visual output. Use this to create designs that reflect specific trends or customer preferences.
- Blend with Hand-Crafted Elements: Pair AI-generated art with hand-drawn or photographic elements to maintain a human touch.
AI tools are making it easier for designers to try new things and break away from traditional methods. However, incorporating hand-made or organic elements ensures that the final design retains an element of warmth and authenticity.
6. Collage Revival
Remember when collages were all about cutting up magazine photos and pasting them together? In 2024, this analog practice is getting a digital makeover. Digital collages are back, and they’re bolder, more colorful, and more chaotic than ever. They allow designers to pull together various images, textures, and patterns to create complex and visually stimulating pieces.
How to Use This Trend:
- Combine Photography with Graphic Elements: Take photographs and add illustrations or vector graphics on top to create a layered effect.
- Go Bold with Color and Texture: Collages are all about clashing elements. Experiment with contrasting colors and textures to make each element stand out.
- Try Digital Cut-and-Paste: Replicate the cut-and-paste look digitally. Use Photoshop to layer various images and “cut” them out as if you were making a traditional collage.
This style gives off an artsy, rebellious vibe, making it ideal for brands looking to connect with Gen Z and Millennial audiences. It’s messy, unapologetic, and utterly captivating.
& RDY studio
7. Minimalist Maximalism
Minimalist maximalism sounds contradictory, but it's one of the most exciting trends in mixed media graphic design this year. It’s about finding the balance between simplicity and excess. You’ll see clean, uncluttered backgrounds contrasted with a bold splash of color, a striking image, or oversized typography.
How to Use This Trend:
- Keep Backgrounds Simple: Opt for clean, muted colors in the background.
- Add a Single Bold Element: Incorporate a bright color, oversized text, or an attention-grabbing image.
- Balance Visuals Carefully: The goal is to maintain visual harmony without overcrowding the space. Every element should have a purpose.
This trend allows designers to create striking visuals without overwhelming the viewer. It’s a perfect balance for brands that want to project sophistication but aren’t afraid to be bold.
How to Incorporate These Trends in Your Designs
Embracing mixed media graphic design trends in 2024 is all about experimenting with different mediums and styles. Here are a few tips to get started:
- Start Small: If you’re new to mixed media, start by adding simple overlays, like a textured background or a hand-drawn illustration.
- Experiment with Tools: Tools like Procreate, Adobe Creative Suite, and Canva allow you to easily mix different media.
- Use Social Media for Inspiration: Platforms like Pinterest, Behance, and Dribbble are great places to see how other designers are using these trends.
Moving Forward with Mixed Media
The future of modern graphic design is here, and it’s mixed media. As we head into 2024, designers will continue to push the boundaries, experimenting with new ways to tell stories and engage audiences. From digital collages to AI-generated artwork, these trends offer a fresh canvas for creativity. Embrace the freedom of mixed media design, and see where it can take you and your brand this year.
Here at Zanubio, we offer a wide array of graphic design services so if you are in need for a design partner feel free to check out our agency page.
