2025 is around the corner and, with the job market being how it is, we wanted to bring useful design trends into focus. If you want to level up your skills for next year, these five areas could be fun and worth your while in landing new clients.
AI Tools For Consumer Analysis
While AI artwork has become a real problem for fine artists and illustrators, the design world is having a slightly better relationship with AI. AI design tools have been somewhat helpful in streamlining design (ex: generative fills in Photoshop), and learning how to work with new AI tools to maximize their time will be a focal point for many designers. But in 2025, it's time we take it to the next level. We can expect there to be improved language models around data collection from customers and better analysis that provides insight into what the people truly want. Designer and design leaders will be able to get more clarity on customers’ needs from the jump, allowing them know exactly where to place their efforts.
Continually Improving Accessibility
Since the birth of the ADA, Americans have been thinking about designing for all people. It has been a long battle, but just this year the ADA extended more regulations to improve the accessibility of Apps. And now, with the EU set to put their EAA law into effect in 2025, more of the Western world is making accessibility a priority. Designers who focus on making accessibility a part of their expertise will be able to land more work as it is highly in-demand now! This knowledge will also make you indispensable. If this sounds like an area you want to focus on, there are plenty of courses you can take and consultants to work with to strengthen your design accessibility skills.
A Mix of Realism and Minimalism
Though there's zero chance the adoption of AI slows down, we also don’t want to feel like these Generative AI platforms are taking over the world. So the reaction in design is to add realism back into the look and feel of things, combined with the simplicity of minimalist aesthetic. Designers will gravitate toward using realistic photography, creating lifelike textures, 3-D experiences, or hyper-realistic illustrations to support the overall framework of clean lines and simple concepts. This type of design has a relatable, calming effect for the viewer—a style that many companies will likely seek out from web and print designers in particular.
Fun & Possibility With Retro-Futurism
We thought it was cool in the 60s, the 80s, the 90s, and today this sci-fi-inspired look and feel is only continuing in popularity. Again, because this trend marries the nostalgic with hope for the future, it instantly makes for attractive design to customers. You’ll continue to see the evolution of big, bold, computer graphics and typefaces, plus the addition of glowing, 3-D effects on saturated colors. This is another style that some designers may find interesting, have fun with, and lead to landing different clients.
Learn Kinetic Typography
Just a fancy way of saying “moving, designed type”, kinetic typography will continue to grow in demand because it’s just so darn entertaining. However, it’s worth noting that moving typography is one of the least accessible features on most websites and apps, which is at odds with our other 2025 premonition on improving accessibility. Still, there are other places where kinetic type doesn’t get in the way of accessibility. Some designers may find work in becoming a specialist in moving type, especially for commercials, animated series, trailers, and other visual projects where audio descriptions are made available.
Though this list is far from all-encompassing in upcoming design trends, hopefully, it helps you to visualize some next steps in your design career. If you’re interested in helping with accessibility or want to try a new in-demand style, these are some of the ways you can land new projects and clients in 2025.
Shameless plug, but here at Artisan our recruiters may also be of service. We’re always here to chat about your portfolio and share what companies are looking for in design—so reach out! There might just be a client on our list in need of your services.
