10 trends and logo trends 2018

Last year s post on logo trends 2017 was well received by readers, so we decided to continue this “tradition” and look at the main trends in logo design 2018. Despite the fact that in the field of web design changes are happening at lightning speed, some points from that article remained the same and “migrated” into the current year.

Perhaps, website design trends are more fleeting compared to the logo development niche, or too little time has passed since the publication of the previous article (7-8 months) + now only the beginning of the year. In the summer, be sure to review this text and add new features to it, if any.

In general, we hope that the translation of the article on Thenextweb with a list of 10 logo trends 2018 will help to better understand where the industry is heading. Those who work in this direction will certainly be interested in reading some analytical materials on the topic, and not just looking at examples of logos for inspiration.

Simplifying the image

The essence of the approach is to bring your original version to some basic elements, making its style simple and minimalistic. This trend in 2018 logo design is in demand largely due to the development of Internet technologies and a cross-platform environment: these days, an emblem should look good on any medium, from a business card to an Internet site and a mobile application. This is why many major firms have tweaked their brand graphics to sharpen their silhouettes.

Logos with simple shapes

The combination of the most legible typeface and simple geometric shapes (lines, dots, squares, circles) continues to gain ground. This direction, which appeared in 2017, is now becoming more and more popular. What is so special about him?

• First, this implementation is simple and consistent (good examples: Google, Nike, Samsung).
• Secondly, simple graphic elements give the image a balanced impression.
• Third, when used wisely, geometric shapes are a powerful enough visual solution that will set your brand apart from the competition.

Vertical letter designs

Here is another very interesting and relevant trend in logos 2018. The main point is to facilitate the perception of a long word or phrase by breaking it up into separate parts and placing them one above the other. This sophisticated and elegant technique was extremely common in 2016-2017 and will continue to hold its ground in the current year.

Letter designs go well with contrasting colors. A win-win for creating an original result that can attract the attention of potential customers.

Coats of arms

Like last year, many brands are trying to imitate ancient coats of arms, emblems, stamps, etc. The text is usually located inside a circle or its half, plus dates are actively used. Subtle shades and clean lines create a distinctly retro look. Such solutions are associated with tradition, heritage and longevity.

Slice

In the trends of the 2018 logo, the so-called “slices” are also noticeable – these are wide parallel straight lines, as if “cutting” the image. We think that over time this method will become even more popular, for a number of reasons:

• First, slices make the logo easier to read.
• Secondly, the use of visual illusions (negative space) and various effects is allowed.
• Last but not least, the technique is capable of making objects three-dimensional.

Negative space

This technique is well known, it has been actively used for several years now, and this year will not be an exception. All this time, the trend did not stand still: at first it was used to create trademarks, and then it was the turn of logos. Now you can find tons of examples of shapes and pictures hidden between or inside letters.

Games with text

Despite the popularity of logo design, text formatting as an essential branding tool has yet to be fully explored. Designers are actively experimenting with kerning, padding, font combinations, etc. The illustrations for this point show that a good result can be achieved with just a little imagination. Will this logo trend continue in 2018? – Definitely yes!

Gradients and color transition

In 2016-2017, graphic designers have literally rediscovered the benefits of gradient, and it is unlikely that the trend will soon lose its relevance. The color transition can be successfully applied to both text and images, especially if the output needs to be a massive, space-consuming bold font.

Overlapping

Blending vibrant colors can create an entirely new hue that gives your picture depth. The recent facelift of MasterCard has breathed new life into the reception and has proven to be suitable for all types of companies, including the very top firms. Examples of the best logos here.

Lettering

Despite the proliferation of the minimalist examples described above, lettering still holds its ground. It remains popular in many spheres: cafes, barbershops, photo studios, etc. Get ready for intricate lettering brands this year.

This is not the only article on logo design trends of 2018, with each author highlighting a different set of important techniques and directions. Therefore, if you see any other tips, they also have a right to exist. Designers have to constantly look for more effective ways to attract customers, and we will try to keep up with the rapid development of new ideas.

If you have anything to add about logo trends in 2018 from personal experience or from other notes you have seen, write below.