The world of design is always evolving, and 2026 promises to be a year of bold experimentation and nostalgic revivals, with designers leaning into imperfection and fluidity. Our Graphic Designer, Lois, has shared her insights into the key graphic design trends for 2026 …
- Mixed media
- Liquid type
- Mixed type
- Naive branding
- Tactile material
- Cloud dancer
- Single-hue
- Liquid glass
Trend 1: Mixed media
Mixed media collages are back, but with a modern twist. This technique involves layering different visual elements - photography, digital illustration, scanned textures and line drawings - into a single composition. Each layer adds another piece to the narrative, creating a design that feels honest and expressive.
Trend 2: Liquid type
Trend 2: Liquid typeLiquid typography uses warped, fluid lettering to make the font appear as if it’s moving. This 2026 graphic design trend is undeniably creative - just search ‘liquid font’ on TikTok, and you’ll see designers creating their own fonts using thick liquids like honey or hot sauce. While it can be hard to read at times, the visual impact of liquid type is undeniable, making it ideal for headlines and logos.
Trend 3: Mixed type
Trend 3: Mixed typeMixed typography is all about intentionally clashing font weights and styles (serif and sans-serif) within a single design to create something new. It’s a great way to keep your viewer engaged by surprising them - mixed types feel editorial and visually jarring at times, increasing visual interest.
Trend 4: Naive branding
Trend 4: Naive brandingNaive branding is a charmingly unpolished aesthetic that embraces simple, often childlike, illustrations, hand-drawn typography, and a restricted colour palette. It's a direct reaction against overly slick corporate design. This 2026 graphic design trend works because it’s relatable to everyone, sparking an emotional connection.
Trend 5: Tactile material
Trend 5: Tactile material The shift to tactile material feels like a natural response to an increasingly digital world. It involves digitally simulating physical materials (like rock, woven fabrics or rough paper) to make a design feel like something you could reach out and touch. Tactile design makes digital work feel grounded and handmade.
Trend 6: ‘Cloud Dancer’
Trend 6: ‘Cloud Dancer’Cloud Dancer, a creamy off-white, was recently named as Pantone’s ‘colour of the year’. It’s white without being clinical, and adds a warmth and simple elegance to minimalist designs. It’s a great multi-purpose shade that can be used for fashion, furniture and advertising.
Trend 7: Single-hue
Trend 7: Single-hueInstead of using several different colours, this 2026 graphic design trend uses different shades and saturations of a single colour. By stripping away visual noise, it draws attention to a composition’s form and typography, creating a visually striking design great for product advertising.
Trend 8: Liquid glass
Trend 8: Liquid glassSeen recently in Apple’s iOS 26 update, liquid glass is a futuristic design aesthetic that uses glossy, translucent layers and light refraction to mimic chrome and glass. It adds both visual depth and fluid motion to a composition, making the piece feel dynamic and exciting.
Here’s what’s clear for the year ahead as a designer:
- To capture an audience’s attention, it’s important to embrace dynamic motion and fluidity in your designs.
- Don’t be afraid to take risks - whether it’s experimenting with single-hue or with tactile material, pushing boundaries is necessary and can really pay off.
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Be yourself! Most trends so far this year are about returning to human creation and imperfection.
Want to know more? Check out our top 2026 marketing trends to stay ahead of the curve, or get in touch with our team of expert designers today to create branding that truly sets you apart.
