As they say, "everything old is new again", and this is no different for design. In the past couple of years, elements like gradients, detailed vintage elements and duotones have been making their way back into mainstream design. While minimalism and simplicity have always been, and always will be key players in graphic design, these once-popular trends are rapidly being revived with modern twists. With the rapid rise of digital marketing and mobile browsing in the ever-changing "designosphere" it's become vitally important to include responsive design from the moment a brand is being built. In more recent years, and as we become more and more innovative with creating responsive design, the traditional details of design have been making a comeback, merging with what we know as "modern" today. Responsive logos, gradients and depth, authentic photography, and highly detailed vintage design now have new meaning in the world of design.

Responsive Logos

How we design a logo has ultimately changed with the advent of the web. With the importance of having to consider design for an infinite array of devices and screens, designers now must consider these same factors when creating a logo. Big-name companies with logos that are recognizable by people from far and wide, have started to implement updates to their logos to meet the demands of responsive design. Companies such as Coca-Cola, Google, Walt Disney, and even Heineken have updated their logos to include several variations ranging from the fully designed piece, to a stripped-down version or simple symbol. A full logo may work perfectly fine on a desktop computer, but on a smaller, handheld device, all the details start to get lost, so adjustments in design must be made.

Gradients

Gradients, or color transitions, have always existed, and people have always used them; in fact, if you weren't using gradients, you weren't cool. However, in modern design, they are deliberately avoided because they don't fit the minimalistic and contemporary aesthetic that most designers strive for. As we began to embrace flat design more and more, gradients hung their heads and made their way to the door. Fast forward to today and modern design is slowly but surely evolving, and gradients are back in. Flat design no longer means using just solid colors; its definition has evolved to include vibrant gradients that are utilized in shading, backgrounds, illustrations, and even overlays. A notable player in this game would be Spotify - they use vibrant color transitions, mixed with duotones and patterns to create lively and energetic playlist covers. The future is bright.

Highly Detailed Vintage

Everything in its name defies the norms of modern graphic design, but detailed vintage elements certainly have their place in current-day design. Making its first appearances in more, well, "vintage" times, the classic feel of this style has its place in the realm of graphic design. As brands, especially in the food and beverage industry, gravitate towards being craft and artisan-centric, highly detailed vintage design lends perfectly to these brands. Details such as hand-painted floral patterns or bold embellishments around a logo provide plenty of detail and sophistication, while also offering that wholesome look that is reminiscent of simpler times. Circling back to the question of Fate or Design - it's a mixture of both. Trends are often cyclical, so it's only fate that old trends become new again. As for design... it's design; if it's good, it's good. There's no denying it! Successful design feels and looks good, all while being an effective vessel for portraying your brand.