Logo trends come and go. Although it’s tempting to follow what design style is hot for a certain year, it’s best to go with what works for your business. Still, you can look at trends for design inspiration and know if they will be relevant in the years to come. And if you want to know what’s still fashionable in the next few years, we also need a trip to the past. Plus, know which trends are staying put beyond 2023.
1. Geometric
Geometric logo patterns aren’t going away anytime soon. Actually, geometric logo patterns have made the list of logo trends since 2018. But this pattern was a mainstay even in the 20th century for some forward-thinking brands. In addition, this trend has staying power because logos can look modern and abstract with this design. Some logo examples include:
- Google Drive
- Adidas
- Target
- Microsoft
- HSBC
Design tip: Add gradients or pair your geometric logo with a sans-serif font to achieve a more modern look.
2. Circle
The anti-thesis of sharp or rigid-edged geometric logo designs are round logo designs. Round logos suggest that a brand is more approachable and friendly. But that’s not all. Round logos offer a classic and timeless look that will never go out of style. And it’s ideal to use a round logo if you want to portray a warmer and friendlier brand image.
Design tip: Give your circle logo a personality by adding a mascot or visual associated with your brand.
3. Vivid Color Palettes
Logo trend lists are mixed with the colors to use for modern logos. Vivid color palettes have dominated lists since 2019. But it appears the trend is declining, with more logos transitioning into muted colors. Still, bright or flashy colors can leave an impact after 2023. After all, in a sea of muted colors, your vivid color palette logo will be eye-catching to your target audience.
Design tip: Combine your vivid color palette with the other logo design trends on this list to give it a modern vibe.
4. Nature-Inspired or Earthy Tone Logos
On the other side of the vivid color spectrum is earthy tones. Neutrals will never go out of style. But this graphic design trend has dominated the past few years. And some small businesses are following earthy, neutral, or nature-inspired design styles.
Another keyword associated with nature-inspired logos is sustainability. Many businesses are switching to sustainable products or offering eco-friendly solutions to consumers. Simple elements like leaves or trees can add to the nature-inspired style. That said, this trend will stay for a long time.
Design tip: Use serif fonts to give your nature-inspired logo a classy yet modern style.
5. Motion in Static
Image credit: Wieden + Kennedy
Animation or motion design is all the rage in graphic design. It’s an excellent alternative to video, especially if you don’t want to invest in video content yet. But you’ll also see motion design in logos to make it more impactful.
However, logo designers are creative when portraying movement in a static logo. They do this by tilting the image slightly to the right or upwards. Or they add movement markers to show that a picture is moving. The motion in static logos is ideal for sports or fitness brands.
One excellent example of motion in static is the F1 logo.
Design tip: Light, lines, and freeze frames are some techniques to use when creating movement in static logos.
6. Glitchy
One other form of motion design in logos is the glitch. However, designers can be creative with the glitch with a static logo. The glitch effect provides a futuristic look to your logo. Plus, the effect can be appealing to younger audiences.
The TikTok logo is a prime example of the glitchy logo trend. In most instances, glitchy logos are animated to achieve the glitchy look.
Design tip: Use red or blue shadows or outlines to accent the glitchy logo.
7. Minimalist
Minimalist logo trends consistently earn a spot in trend lists. And one reason why minimalism makes it on the logo trends list is the simple logo design principle. Plus, with a minimalist look, your logo will have a cleaner and neater design that you can add to any visual or printed asset. Three examples of minimalist logo designs are wordmark, lettermark, and line art.
Design tip: Black and white are perceived as minimalist designs, but you can add splashes of colors using the background or as a gradient.
8. Vintage or Retro Styles
Even though you need a modern logo design, vintage or retro styles are making a comeback. Your vintage or retro-inspired logo style can stand out from the crowd of modern typographical or minimalist logo styles. Not all businesses can adopt a vintage or retro style. Ideally, barbershops, breweries, and restaurants can make vintage or retro work.
Design tip: Stick to the emblem logo style to achieve this look.
9. Layering
Image credit: Pentagram
Layered logos add a new dimension to your logo. It’s another design technique to make your logo unique. Plus, it’s to make your logo appear “3D” without it looking in that manner. In addition, layering is great if you want to incorporate various colors into your logo. Two well-known examples of layered logos are Mastercard and PayPal.
Design tip: Go with your brand’s color palette to give your logo a cohesive look.
10. Custom Typography
Typography isn’t a must-have in logos. But if you’re opting for a wordmark, lettermark, or a combination logo, typography is necessary. If you want to follow this trend, you don’t want just any font for your logo. A custom font is needed to give your logo that oomph. Plus, it makes your brand unique.
Design tip: You can try this logo trend by hiring a logo designer or experienced typography designer. It certainly will give your logo an edge.
Final Thoughts
When designing your new logo, it’s good to go with what works for your brand. Logo trends serve as guides to what’s hip and happening. Plus, it helps designers understand how to modernize old logos.
