5 Amazing Illustration Trends in Graphic Design 2023 to Follow

There are different graphic design trends enter the design scene every year, and in this article, we’ll take you through the illustration trends in 2023 to look out for.

5 illustration trends in graphic design 2023

1. Minimalism (Line/Dual Tone)

Minimalism, particularly colorful minimalism, is among the illustration trends to look out for in the coming year. This also involves the use of color combinations, some of which are common but lack brightness. In recent times, graphic designers like to combine different color palettes while keeping the style minimal.


Minimalism illustration trend: Hand one line drawing by illustAC
Minimalism illustration trend: Hand one line drawing by illustAC

The advantage of this illustration trend is that it creates room for more opportunities that will further enhance the design. In addition to colors, the illustration trend also involves the use of shapes or line drawing, and this is actually a continuation of trends in the previous year. Marketers apply this illustration trend a lot because of the simplicity it offers, especially with respect to conveying messages and enhancing design.

Illustration trend example: Duotone illustrations on illustAC
Illustration trend: Duotone illustrations on illustAC
Illustration trend example: Family line drawing on illustAC
Illustration trend: Family line drawing on illustAC

2. 3D

A key aspect of marketing is the ability to showcase products in the best way possible. However, it’s important to note that products are not equally visually appealing, and as a designer, you’ll need to find a way to enhance their visual appeal.

The importance of 3D illustrations is that it removes the unpleasant appearances of various products. It also creates room for creativity, making it possible for designers to be able to edit product elements to make them more visually appealing.

Illustration trend example: Easter 3D background
Illustration trend: Easter 3D backgrounds on illustAC

Another thing to note is that the design trends also allow for the use of pastels or muted colors, but this is mostly on the background so that the actual design can stand out. 3D illustrations are a design trend to look out for in 2023, with more designers already embracing the illustration trend.

Illustration trend example: Valentine's day 3D background
Illustration trend: Valentine’s day 3D background on illustAC
Illustration trend example: Mother's day 3D background
Illustration trend: Mother’s day 3D background on illustAC

3. Abstract Art

Abstract art is an illustration trend that is similar to minimalist design. The trends are rapidly gaining popularity in the graphic design field. Today, there are many designers that use abstract art for different designs. The most common is its use on mobile applications and even websites.

When it comes to illustration, abstract line art has been a trend for a while, and it has evolved into a niche. It’s worth noting the illustration trend also draws inspiration from the minimalism trend, which further increases its beauty, and makes it more simplistic.

Illustration trend example: Simple line art and abstract shapes on illustAC
Illustration trend: Simple line art and abstract shapes on illustAC
Illustration trend example: abstract shape background on illustAC
Abstract background on illustAC
Illustration trend example: abstract gradient shape background on illustAC
Abstract gradient background on illustAC

4. Vivid Contrast

Vivid contrast is another illustration trend to look out for in the coming year. It’s a very intuitive strategy that is used in making designs to stand out, and this is with the aid of appropriate colors that are suitable for the design.

Illustration trend example: vivid contrast background on illustAC
Vivid contrast abstract background on illustAC

It’s worth noting that vivid contrast mostly involves the use of bright and bold colors, and the goal is to easily win the attention of your viewers. To achieve this, you only need to determine the emotions that work best and is most suitable for delivering the right message. However, this is only achievable when you use the right colors.

Illustration trend example: vivid contrast backgrounds on illustAC
Vivid contrast backgrounds on illustAC

A key thing to note when applying this design trend is that colors have different energy and emotions that they evoke. Therefore, you need to identify the right color for the emotion in your message.

Illustration trend example: vivid contrast frames for sale off events on illustAC
Vivid frames for sale off events on illustAC

5. NFT Trends

NFT is another illustration trend to look out for in 2023. This is already a trend that became really popular in 2022, but it’s worth noting that the trend is yet to fade away. In 2023, more designers will start to apply NFT to their illustrations and design.

Illustration trend example: NFT digital art from behance
NFT digital art by Yurii Yeltsov

NFT art always stands out when designed properly. Are you wondering what the illustration trend is all about? It’s worth noting that NFT is basically a digital asset, and it’s mostly used in the digital universe. This implies that you can own it, but you can’t touch it.

Another thing worth noting is that NFT art is a new strategy that is used in categorizing digital art, and it also provides the option for designers to be able to monetize their work. The interesting thing is that NFT art allows designers to create designs quickly and reap the rewards almost immediately.

The role of illustrations in graphic design

Today, one of the popular phrases that the design world relies on is “A picture is worth more than a thousand words.” This is simply because every day of a designer’s life involves designing and creating visual representations. In some cases, they tend to utilize different photographs in their designs or incorporate illustrations to improve the aesthetics of their design.

The use of custom illustrations offers many benefits to design, and the interesting thing is that there are many ways to apply this use. It is this diversity that calls for the need to keep up with the different illustration trends.

Are you wondering how illustration is important for graphic design? Basically, illustrations serve different roles and functions. Here are some of the roles of illustrations in graphic design:

Illustrations help in illustrating abstract information

Even though it’s possible to tell stories and share ideas using text or a copy, there are cases where you can effectively explain information when you pair text with different visual representations. Information that is more abstract needs illustrations for simplification, and this is an instance where you can apply illustrations.

Copyright law illustrations on illustAC
Copyright law illustrations on illustAC
Girl power stickers on illustAC
Girl power stickers on illustAC

An example of an instance where you can enhance abstract information with illustrations is when describing the solar system. You can make the description of the solar system when you pair information with illustrations, especially one that represents the different planets, their positions, and size differences.

vivid backgrounds on illustAC
Vivid background comic style on illustAC

Illustrations are key for storytelling

One of the major components of graphic design is storytelling. There’s always a story attached to every design, and the best way to make the design easy to understand is by including illustrations in the design. However, when you do this, it’s vital to ensure that the illustrations you use do not appear childish o cartoony. You’ll also need to ensure the illustrations you use is perfect for the story you tell.

Illustrations are key for storytelling example on Dribbble
Source: Alisha Chef

Illustrations are key for data visualization

Instead of using the conventional bar graph and pie chart, you can be more dynamic in your design, and for this, you can use illustrations to represent data and make them more visually appealing. The illustrations to use for data visualizations are icons, sketches, and many more. It’s worth mentioning that this is a great way for you to also create infographics.

Illustrations used in data visualization on illustAC
Illustrations used in data visualization
Illustrations used in data visualization
Infographics with illustrations on illustAC

Use of illustrations in branding

Branding is one of the most crucial aspects of a business. In most cases, you’ll realize illustrations are mostly used for branding. Designers can make use of the logo to create concepts that are unique for businesses. They can also use these illustrations in designing other branding items like customer service graphs and flow chats.

Use of illustrations in branding
Mascot logo from HSSN DSGN

Using illustrations in packaging

As a designer, you’ll at some point be tasked with the responsibility of designing packaging materials, and the goal is to ensure that the packaging materials are visually appealing. The most common way to keep packaging designs visually appealing is by using illustrations and patterns.

Illustration trend: Scandinavian pattern on illustAC
Scandinavian pattern on illustAC
smartmockups l9gnhjkj edited
Packaging design mockup

However, it’s important to note that the use of designs and illustrations on the packaging is according to individual preferences and also depending on the item you’re packing. There are cases where a packaging will not need any design to be included. As a graphic designer, it’s important to be able to distinguish between these cases.

Using illustrations for promotional materials

If the illustrations work with your brand, you should consider using them in your promotional materials. This can be on banners, billboards, posters or flyers, and even interior signage. There are many ways you can use illustrations or promotional materials, and the only thing you need to ensure is that your design is creative.

Free banner template from templateAC
Free banner template from templateAC

The bottom line is that illustrations and graphic design are both vital for the success of businesses. In addition to making a brand to be appealing, they also help in creating an identity for businesses.

Where to find inspiration

With everything above, you now know the role of illustration in graphic design and some of the illustration trends to look out for in the year 2023. Now it’s time to go through the places where you can find illustration inspiration for your design.

As a designer, you’ll need a reliable resource where you can always get all the design inspiration you need. The interesting thing is that there are currently so many places where you can get inspiration from.

Some of the common examples are Illustration Age, Directory of Illustration, Central Illustration Agency, and Eat Sleep Draw. The list is a long one, and you can’t run out of options when it comes to looking for a place to get illustration inspiration from.

Due to the fact that there are so many options that designers can choose from for all the illustration inspiration they need, they often get confused about which option to go for. If you’re looking for a very reliable place where you can get all the illustration inspiration and also keep up with the different illustration trends for 2023, we recommend checking illustAC now.

Conclusion

We have covered all the basic things that you should know about illustrations, including the roles that they serve in graphic design today. Today, there’s hardly any graphic design that you’ll see without illustrations in them. Also, illustrations are used for many other reasons, in addition to enhancing visual appeal.

We also highlighted some of the different illustration trends to look out for in 2023. They include minimalism, 3D, abstract art, vivid contrast, and NFT art. There are other trends to look out for, but these are the common ones to focus on in the coming year.

Also, if you’re looking for illustration inspirations, we have highlighted a few options you can consider, but we recommend illustAC for everyone.

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