12 Graphic Design Trends for 2026

In this video I share 12 Graphic Design Trends for 2026 that I have observed that you can use to inspire your creative work, agency business and your work for clients. Understanding and leveraging trends in graphic design is a great way to stay creatively informed, culturally relevant and to assure your success as a creative entrepreneur. Join me in exploring these contemporary trends you can use to inspire your designs and build your brand! BONFIRE: https://philipvandusen.com/bonfire Trend Timestamps: 00:47 #1 Glass Block 01:30 #2 Billboarding 02:26 #3 Hero Characters 03:07 #4 Tech Spec 03:56 #5 Affinity 04:39 #6 Acid Fade 06:36 #7 Brute Force 07:24 #8 Translucence 08:10 #9 Bronze Age 08:52 #10 Analogy Anarchy 09:36 #11 Obsidian 10:19 #12 Scissorworks 11:03 BONUS: Pantone Color of the Year: Cloud Dancer #trends #designtrends #graphicdesign #branding #marketing ABOUT TRENDS + TREND HUNTING: I worked in the fashion industry for 15 years and travelled the globe shopping for trend 3x a year, Tokyo, London, Milan, Berlin etc. Trend hunting was my job. I’ve worked with major trend houses like WGSN, Stylus, JWT, Pantone. The one thing I’ve learned is that trends are never limited to specific periods of time and are very fluid in how they appear. Trends are revisited, altered, revised - new perspectives are added - they disappear and then they come back over and over (particularly in the fashion industry) (Russian Constructivism - 100 years old - never really goes away). Some trends take a few years to grab hold and become recognizable as popular. Some people, who may see and recognize trends early - may be mentally registering them way before other people so they may seem older to them - but not others. To many folks who have no formal training in art/design history they are totally new. I can never assume the knowledge base of every single person in my audience. No matter what, I hope you are inspired. _______________________________________ WEBSITE https://www.philipvandusen.com BONFIRE: Mastermind Community https://philipvandusen.com/bonfire BRAND•MUSE NEWSLETTER https://www.philipvandusen.com/muse CREATIVE PROFESSIONAL COACHING https://philipvandusen.com/oneonone BRAND CONSULTING https://philipvandusen.com/brand-consulting BRAND STRATEGY COURSE https://philipvandusen.com/bs101 BRAND DESIGN MASTERS PODCAST https://podcast.branddesignmasters.com/subscribe YOUTUBE https://www.youtube.com/c/philipvandusen LINKEDIN https://www.linkedin.com/in/philipvandusen/ THREADS https://www.threads.net/@philipvandusen ____________________________________ AFFILIATE PARTNERS: BRING YOUR OWN LAPTOP - Adobe Training with Daniel Scott https://www.byol.me/philip GO HIGHLEVEL: https://www.gohighlevel.com/philipvandusen TUBEBUDDY https://www.tubebuddy.com/philipvandusen ____________________________ Philip VanDusen is a branding consultant based in New York. He's a highly accomplished creative executive and is regarded as an expert in brand strategy, graphic design, marketing and creative management. Philip provides design, branding, marketing, career and business advice to creative professionals, entrepreneurs and companies on building successful brands for themselves and the clients and customers they serve.