15 Top Design Trends Social Media in 2023

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Social media graphic design has undergone a major shift over time. This explains why social media visuals have evolved. Let’s not forget social media platforms have evolved to be more visually oriented. Since its inception, social media design has made great strides, and there are no signs of slowing down. The social media design industry is also evolving with technology. Social media content must be either groundbreakingly innovative or visually stunning. Let’s find out the top graphic design trends for Social Media in 2023.

 

What is social media design?

Social media design is creating, planning, and executing of social media aesthetics. This includes creating visual content that supports that aesthetic.

These are the most popular types of content that fall under the umbrella of social media design:

  • Posts on social media require graphics
  • Story graphics and templates for Instagram and LinkedIn
  • Images of cover images and profile pictures
  • Highlight covers
  • Header images (for instance, on Facebook or LinkedIn)
  • Covers for the new social media formats, such as Instagram Reel Covers for new social media formats, e.g., Instagram Reel

 

The Top Design Trends Shaping Social Media in 2023

Motion graphics

Motion graphics are already being used in many marketing campaigns. Although video content isn’t new, it has changed how designers and marketers approach web design. Silent videos, which use unobtrusive captions for enhanced viewing experiences, were a popular video marketing trend in 2022. Captions not only make videos easier to watch, but they also make videos more accessible for people who are hard of hearing.

In 2023, video content will be a key animated and motion graphics channel. TikTok is an excellent example of dynamic content, such as animated and motion graphics. TikTok users often add dynamic captions to videos to make them more entertaining and appealing to viewers. To create interactive posts, some users use captions.

 

Interactive Content

Social media users increasingly seek new ways to interact with brands and content creators. Interactive content is becoming more popular. Interactive posts like polls, quizzes, and games are great ways to engage your audience and provide valuable insight into their interests and preferences.

We’ll see a lot of interactive content in 2023 as brands explore new ways to connect online with their customers.

 

 

Visual Storytelling

A designer’s most powerful tool is visual storytelling. Designers will be able to create immersive stories and draw people into their content in 2023 with the increased use of visual elements.

The brain can recognize images in as little as 13 milliseconds. This is far faster than the time it takes to understand and recognize verbal communication. Most content teams measure visual stories on several metrics. They are more likely to keep the reader’s interest. This makes it more likely that readers will spend more time on the page and click through to other content. These visual stories can also be shared on social media.

 

The video format is hot for 2023

In 2016, Snapchat was at its peak. The first mentions of video overtaking social media were made. Everyone wanted that casual, cool look and motion clips.

Many things changed in 2016: Snapchat is no more the most popular social media platform. We’ve been introduced to YouTube Shorts; everyone is now on TikTok, while Instagram’s main focus is Reels.

 

Anti-Design

It’s fascinating to imagine all the possibilities when you look into the future of social media design. In 2023, we’re already seeing an interesting new trend amongst designers: anti-design.

This trend should not be ignored when planning for your next big project. It includes muted colors, minimalism, and unique content designs that challenge the norms in digital spaces.

 

Dark mode graphics

81% of smartphone owners use their phone’s night or dark mode. It can help reduce eye strain, which is one of the reasons dark mode is so popular. For devices, it can help reduce battery usage.

You can expect to see more graphic design elements using dark mode-friendly themes due to the increasing popularity of dark mode. Major tech companies like Apple and Facebook have already added dark modes to their apps and interfaces. You can also expect brands and designers to use dual-color scheme designs for their creative assets. Website and UI design will increasingly incorporate dark mode or dual-color schemes (light/dark mode).

 

2D/3D MASHUP Design Principles

2D/3D MASHUP design is a unique way to bring together seemingly unrelated elements into one piece of art. Designers need to be familiar with both 2D/3D design principles.

They should understand the basic principles of color theory, typography, and composition. They should also be able to understand concepts such as depth perception, texture mapping, and shadow play.

 

Bold, abstract shapes

Two of the most popular graphic design trend for 2022 were abstract surrealism and geometric patterns. These design principles will continue to be popular in bold abstract shapes next year. In 2023, bold shapes and abstract asymmetrical patterns will be popular design elements.

 

Custom Typography

In 2023, custom typography will be a big trend. Designers are becoming more creative with typefaces and creating unique fonts representing their brand or message.

FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Font, for example. This font has details that symbolize Qatar’s heritage and global touches.

Retro art

Retro-inspired artwork will never go out of style. We saw minimalist retro features emerge in 2022. Retro art will be a hot topic next year. Retro-inspired design elements and themes will be all over the place, from vintage palettes to themes to retro-inspired designs. This trend’s popularity is not only fueled by nostalgia but also because of its inexplicable nature. These design elements were popularized many decades ago but still appeal to modern design needs. Many top brands still use retro-inspired artwork for their websites and social media posts.

 

Y2K aesthetics and the 90s grunge nostalgia

Fashion is cyclical. The current fashion period is in the late 90s and early2000s, a.k.a. The Y2K.

Here are some essential elements for a Y2K-inspired visual social media:

  • Many smiley faces, stars, hearts, and butterflies
  • Stickers, glitter, fur textures
  • Bubblegum, baby pink, and baby blue are the most popular colors
  • Contrasting colors
  • Scrapbooking (think the “Burn Book”)
  • Bold fonts in large, bold fonts

This trend is also influenced by the 2000s obsession with technology, computers, and the Internet. It is easy to understand, as it was brand new.

 

Utilitarian aesthetics

Functional design elements are used in utilitarian aesthetics. The inevitable shift towards digital spaces is one factor driving the popularity of the utilitarian design. Apps and websites will adopt these aesthetics in the future, providing convenience and ease of use to users. Brands and designers can simplify their apps and websites by applying utilitarian design principles. This will allow them to provide more user-friendly experiences.

 

Retro maximalism

You might have noticed minimalism is no longer a popular trend in social media design. More is today.

Maximalism is best understood by people in their late 60s or early 70s. Modern social media designers have borrowed techniques from these people.

  • Cartoonish characters
  • Bright muted colors
  • Color blocking
  • To the maximum saturation
  • Whitespace is not enough
  • Large fonts, yet thin (is this Lobster’s second coming?)
  • Geometry

 

Metaverse Art

In the future, the metaverse will influence graphic design and visual media. Designers will often reference this futuristic virtual universe in their designs. You’ll see metaverse-inspired design element’s such as 3D illustrations and AI-inspired illustrations, next year.

 

Explosive gradients

Gradients will be a popular design element in 2023. They are versatile and a quick yet effective way to add color to your designs. Muted color palettes were popular in 2021. It was muted gradients in 2022.

You can expect to see radiant and exciting gradients in the future as designers and brands open up to experimentation. Expect to see bolder and more unusual color combinations and gradient styles.

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