Author: Bob May 31, 2023 9 min read
Looking for a way to make your next animated video stand out? Well, there are several things to take into account. From hiring a professional video production company to embedding creative graphic design ideas, making your video look fresh and trendy is also important.
That’s why, in this blog article, we’ll explore 14 motion design trends to consider in 2023. From mixed media to stop-motion and seamless transitions, we’ll take a deep dive into the emerging trends that will be shaping the future of graphic design.
So, let’s discover what are the future and current graphic design trends you may follow when creating your next video.
Minimalistic designs have been here for several years already, and can be safely considered an evergreen graphic design style. It prioritizes simplicity and the use of minimal design elements to convey a message. Usually, when creating a minimalist motion design, the artists use thin lines, a lot of white space, simple shapes, and a limited color palette, with a preference for natural shades. Check how it is implemented here.
Such a digital design style can be suitable for creating product videos, explainers, and social media stories. If the product’s design is plain but elegant, then following a minimalistic style in video production is a logical choice to showcase such a product best. Explainer videos benefit from this approach since it allows for adding more simplicity to the complex concepts.
Mixed media is a video production trend that involves combining different types of media, such as live-action footage, animation, graphics, and text, to create a visually dynamic and engaging impression. One of the best things about this approach to motion graphic animation is that it allows for unlimited creativity.
That’s why it is frequently used in promo videos that aim at capturing and keeping the user’s attention for as long as possible. Leveraging mixed media is also a good choice for music clips. Overall, mixed media is a versatile video production trend that can be used in a variety of contexts.
As the concept of this motion graphics trend suggests, 2D and 3D blend means combining two- and three-dimensional elements within a single video. In this way, video makers can create a unique visual experience, by blending the realistic feel of 3D elements with the simplicity of 2D.
Where can you use such a graph design idea? For example, it can fit video storytelling, where your animated characters can be created in 3D, while the environment can be developed using a 2D approach.
Kinetic typography is also one of the graphic design styles that has been used for years in video production. It is an especially popular approach when it comes to making educational videos, since the animated text is easier and more interesting to perceive compared to the plain one.
So, the main idea of kinetic typography is to share some information or data in a more engaging way, by animating texts or numbers and creating a visual hierarchy of information. That’s why such videos usually turn out to be especially memorable. Additionally, kinetic typography can be used to create visual metaphors and analogies, which can help to further clarify complex concepts. See the example here.
Double exposure is one of the newest motion design trends, and it is gaining popularity. The essence of the approach is that video makers layer two or more videos on top of each other to create a visually striking and more in-depth effect. Such an effect works especially well for creating highly-emotional videos when one frame isn’t enough to communicate the deepness of an emotional experience. For instance, it is a popular choice for creating music clips, when the music itself and the double-exposure effect strengthen each other.
Retro motion graphics is a new trend in motion design that involves using vintage-inspired design elements and color schemes to create a nostalgic and timeless look. The main goal of following this trendy graphic design approach is to create a sense of something nostalgic and familiar. In this way, brands can evoke more trust in their newly created products, delivering an impression of longevity.
That’s why retro motion graphics can be used in web design when the company’s goal is to build a connection with an older target audience. Its use cases also include but aren’t limited to print design, branding, and packaging design, in addition to video production.
As the name of this modern graphic design style suggests, using a hyperrealistic 3D approach involves creating such 3D animations that look as close to real life as possible. In this way, companies can create super-immersive experiences, so there is no surprise that such an approach is one of the top choices for creating AR video games.
Creating a hyperrealistic 3D video is also a winning idea when it comes to promoting some kind of innovative product. With its help, the viewers can develop a complex impression of it without the need to see and feel the product in real life. At the same time, creating hyperrealistic 3D videos is pretty complex and not that cheap, meaning that leveraging this approach allows companies to develop a more solid and polished brand image.
Creating animated logos is a modern graphic design approach. This trend is becoming increasingly popular as companies seek to differentiate themselves in a crowded market and build a strong brand identity. Animated logos allow for reaching a more memorable brand image and are especially appealing to younger and more tech-savvy audiences.
What’s more, animated logos can be a perfect addition to marketing videos since they allow for making a natural transition between video content and a company’s branding. Adding such logos to short social media videos is a good idea too, since they are eye-catching and shareable.
Using grain textures is a motion design trend that implies adding a subtle grainy texture to static visuals and animated elements. Such an approach becomes especially winning when coupled with retro motion design style, since the combination of both creates a sense of extra depth and timelessness. By using a grainy texture that is reminiscent of old film or photographs, designers can inspire a feeling of nostalgia and familiarity.
When used in website design, grain effects allow for creating a more tactile and organic feel and look. However, this is not a one-fits-all approach. Such a motion design tactic is only suitable for brands with sincere and caring archetypes.
If you are looking to add an elegant and sophisticated look to your motion design elements, consider utilizing thin and self-drawing lines. By using lines that appear to be drawing themselves, designers can create a sense of anticipation and excitement, making the design feel more dynamic and engaging. This can be particularly effective in explainer videos or product demos, where the goal is to capture the viewer’s attention and keep them engaged.
Using liquid motion is one of the recent trends in graphic design. As the name suggests, it implies creating fluid elements, which in turn, add movement and flow to motion graphics. This approach is frequently used in advertising and branding. For instance, liquid motion makes a good match with animated logos. In addition to being animated, such a “liquid” logo captures the viewer’s attention and creates a lasting impression of the brand.
Three-dimensional shapes are called isometric when they are drawn in a way that makes them appear flat. But what makes using them a popular graphic design trend? The matter is that they create a feeling of order and structure, allowing the artists to inspire a sense of depth and perspective. You can see the implementation here.
For instance, isometric shapes are frequently used in creating educational videos, in addition to leveraging kinetic typography elements. In such a way, it becomes possible to represent different data points in a well-organized way. This is also the reason why isometric shapes often become a choice for creating infographics and data visualizations.
Showcasing a diverse range of people in marketing videos is now one of the current trends in graphic design. The main idea of this trend, or better, the principle that finds its embodiment in video marketing, is involving the images of people of different nationalities and other identifiable features. The goal of diversity and inclusion in graphic design and video marketing is to help the audience develop the idea that people are created equal.
That’s why such an approach is now frequently used in corporate and recruitment videos. In this way, companies can show their commitment to diversity, inclusion, and equity (DIE) across their both marketing and recruitment campaigns.
Using hand-drawn style pictures is one of the evergreen styles of graphic design. Such an animation technique is particularly well-suited for creating whiteboard explainer videos. Such videos use hand-drawn-like animation to explain complex ideas or concepts in a simple and engaging way. See the example here.
The simplicity of the animation allows the viewers to focus on the explained concept completely and understand it better. The companies also often use hand-drawn pictures in their website and mobile app design to create a more authentic brand image and add a human touch.
Motion design is an ever-evolving field that is constantly pushing the boundaries of human creativity. From minimalism to double exposure, there are so many creative ways to deliver your marketing message in an animated video and make the audience excited with it.
At Wow-How Studio, we stay on top of these trends and follow them to create heart-winning videos for our customers. Contact us today and our creative video makers will help you find the best way to incorporate fresh motion design trends into your next brand video!
