2018 Logo Trends and Where Next?
As a branding specialist, it’s difficult not to track the movements in the world of logos.
Of course, with branding, it’s imperative to stay up to date and current with your logo, therefore when I rebrand clients or am creating logos, choosing a current style of logo that suits the business is often a good place to start!
2018 was the year where we saw the turns and tumbles from minimalistic, clean, typography based logos to vintage vibes and more badge like designs.
Below, I’ve mentioned some of my favorite trends of the year, and then even further below, I’ve spoken about where I think these trends will go in 2019…
So in no particular order…
- minimalism
See how I didn’t even use a capital there?
2018 has had a massive minimalistic movement.
Once a game of being as big and bold as possible, now a game of being clean and simple. We’ve seen massive companies rebranding themselves with a more simple design, and we’re loving it.
Someone once said that design is so simple, that is why it’s so hard, very true! 2018 has been the year of incredibly thoughtful designs compacted into a couple of lines!
This style works well with a wide range of businesses from dentistry, cafes/bars, real estate to florists. This really is an all rounder.
2. Block Gradient Badge Style
I’m not sure if that’s the technical name for it, but that’s what we call it at The Brand Wolf.
With heavy 70’s influence (anyone remembers the Paul Harris Store logo?), joint with a modern twist of brighter colours mixed with thick geometry, these logos are coming in hot.
Often works well in clothing companies or businesses where you want the logo to be of heavy focus.
3. Punctuation
Working great for corporate companies and businesses offering a professional service, this logo style has sprung back up again, after trending a couple of years ago.
Take your company name, it doesn’t even have to be a sentence, and follow it with a dot, a comma, a speck, a fleck, and watch the magic happen.
As simple as that.
A lot of the time we also see the punctuation being brought forward through the use of color.
4. Black and White Circle Cool
The circular logo is no revelation. But it’s also not going anywhere anytime soon.
With the rise of the ‘hipster’ movement, we’ve noticed a grand increase in these edgy, line designs that offer visual impact as well as being super cool.
Where these logos lack in color (as the name states), they certainly make up for themselves with detail, being often rich and intricate.
These logos work great for any company screaming hipster vibes; for instance, take a barber shop, food product cafe or bar.
5. Gypsy Religion
Kind of similar to the ‘Black and White Circle Cool’, in regards to the fact that these logos are intricate and rich in detail, this almost gothic trend of logo design is great for edgy clothing brands or tattoo parlor.
I find these logos super fun to make; it allows the designer some creative freedom to explore the possibilities, as these logos frequently include multiple elements and symbols (skulls, arrows, jewels, hearts, handshakes, and stars).
They’re memorable and beautiful, a good Gypsy Religion logo will really set your brand apart.
6. Vintage Vibes
A great style for all those typography enthusiasts, this is where you get your 3mm pen out and go wild.
Often with the help of a great font over the top of a mid-century icon, this style is super cool without being outdated.
I don’t know what it is about this style but it’s effortlessly fun, memorable, romantic and well crafted.
This lovely trend is great for a brewery or artisan coffee shops, barbers, clothing lines and markets.
7. Big Fat Outline
Making logo designs really pop out at you, this trend was once known for sports teams and now is venturing to different horizons…
Often included with a relatively simple symbol encapsulated by a thick, normally dark, outline which brings the design forward.
I think it makes the design look quite ‘techy’ so would be good for computer-based service companies or an education.
So where next?
You might be a little overwhelmed with all these trends, thinking ‘where on Earth could we go next?
Well, these are my thoughts for 2019…
- Next to Nothing Outline
As discussed a lot of the logo trends of 2018 include either a thick or think outline. Even in the circle motif, there is often one of two lines keeping everything together.
What I believe we will see in 2019 is words or shapes creating their own outline. We already have a lot of logos out there with this theme, but in response to 2018s heavy reliance on geometric boarders, I think 2019 will go against that.
2. Hand Drawn
With the rising of the vintage and gothic, religious elements we are just about on the tipping point of a heavy influx of hand-drawn logos.
Over the years, the software has made it easier and easier to design logos.
From this, those designers with a real artistic flair now have a real advantage.
Especially in natural business fields, like floristry or tea companies, hand-drawn designs are suited well, it looks clean, natural and friendly.
So if your drawing isn’t up to scratch, better get doodling!
3. Colourful Monoline
From the past trend, around 2010/11, we saw the monoline boom.
Since we’ve been keeping the same idea through our beloved minimalism, I think that we will take this past trend and bring it up to date by adding some colour.
Rich golds and gradients have been making appearances recently, so perhaps a metallic monoline is the next new thing!
