Keeping up with design trends
We’re bringing you a blog series filled with 5 design tips to help your business bloom. Missed some (or all) so far? Catch up here.
Part 5 is all about keeping up with design trends: keeping your designs fresh.
Design is constantly evolving. Whilst your brand’s core identity should remain consistent, integrating current design trends can keep your brand fresh, relevant and engaging. Adapting to trends thoughtfully, ensures that your designs don’t feel outdated whilst still maintaining a strong brand presence.
Why staying updated matters
Trends reflect changing audience preferences, technology advances, and cultural shifts. Ignoring them can make your brand appear outdated, but embracing them (in a way that aligns with your identity) can boost engagement and customer interest. Think of how the shift toward minimalistic designs has made brands more approachable, or how animation/motion graphics have enhanced digital storytelling.
Key ways to keep your designs fresh
Follow industry leaders: Keep an eye on major design publications, influencers and trend reports to stay informed. Look at businesses like yours, and how they’re adapting to the trends of the moment. If you’re a travel business, it’s probably not helpful to be inspired by how the beauty industry is trending… Be inspired by like-minded businesses that you respect and aspire to.
Modernise without losing identity: Incorporate new elements that complement, rather than replace, your existing branding. It still has to look and feel like you. (And don’t forget to keep it within your brand guidelines.)
Experiment with new formats: Try video, interactive elements, or bold typography whilst maintaining brand consistency. But work within your capacity. Maybe try one new thing and establish that before you try many.
Monitor user engagement: Test different design updates and see how your audience responds. Don’t forget your “Who, What, Where and Why “ from your storytelling. You’re creating for YOUR audience, it has to work for them as well as you.
Adapt to technology advances: Ensure your designs work seamlessly across new devices, platforms, and accessibility tools. (Have you seen Instagram’s updated sizes for the grid? That changes how you produce designs. Staying up-to-date with algorithms and platform changes is just as important as staying up-to-date with design trends- they impact each other.)
How to stay on trend
Regularly review your branding: Assess whether your visuals and messaging still resonate with your audience and are modern and engaging.
Test and tweak: Experiment with small design tweaks before making big changes. When you make a change, go back to check if it worked and if it’s worth replicating. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes- mistakes are how we grow!
Stay true to your brand: Trends come and go - choose the trends that enhance your brand rather than chasing every new style. They have to work for you, and they have to still reflect who you are, otherwise, what’s the point?
Trends should be used as inspiration, not dictation.
By thoughtfully incorporating modern design elements whilst staying true to your brand, you can create a consistent, engaging identity that feels modern, whilst at the same time being timeless! It’s a balancing act, but so fun to practice!
This was part 5 of our 5-part-series of design tips! Missed any? Don’t forget to catch up:
💜 Part 3: Incorporating inclusivity
💜 Part 4: Embracing simplicity
By focusing on consistency, storytelling, inclusivity, simplicity, and trends, you can craft designs that truly connect with your audience and stand the test of time!
We’re rooting for you
and your business to bloom 🌷
Need help creating on-trend designs that reflect who you are? You don’t have to go it alone, we’d love to help you! Whether you need a rebrand, a brand refresh, templates, brand guidelines or something else, we’ve got you covered. Let’s chat: book in a no-obligation discovery call or drop us an email: hello@bloom-creative.co.uk. We can’t wait to help you make an impact with your visuals!
Bloom Creative is a design business based in Kent who support local and national businesses with a range of services that enhance their brand and get them seen and remembered, including: quality digital content, eye-catching print design, and bespoke branding & brand refreshes.
If you’re interested in our services and/or getting to know us better, you can book in a virtual coffee break call with founder Amy Walters.
