Best Creative Design and Aesthetic Trends 2018

Punchy Pastels

"These new, rebellious colour schemes increase the saturation for sweet candy colours with an undeniable kick," Shutterstock says. "Look for otherwise subtle colours complemented by a bright hue, like blue candy, or a juicy set of colours that reconsider the meaning of delicate."

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Cryptocurrency

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"Once a curiosity and now reaching critical mass, searches for cryptocurrency are up 1,264 percent," Shutterstock says. "Expect peak conversation around this topic as every outlet covers it and seeks out ways to visualize its intangible nature."

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Ancient Geometrics

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"It’s clear that these ancient geometrics are universally loved; searches for arabesque are up 8,536 percent – an astronomical increase and the largest we’ve seen this year – while guilloche is up 695 percent, and mandalas is up 632 percent," Shutterstock says.

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Fantasy

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"Searches are increasing for recognised fantasy characters – unicorn up 297 percent and mermaid up 145 percent – and epic, orchestral music is growing in popularity as marketers and creative professionals look to add a bit of the supernatural to our everyday," Shutterstock says.

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Digital Crafts

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"Traditional paper and fabric-centric crafts, like embroidery (+432 percent) and paper art (+130 percent), are finding new life as they’re reinterpreted for a new era," Shutterstock says. "These tactile designs bring a much-needed sense of touch and texture to the web as their whimsical nature makes us forget the limits of screens and pixels."

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New Minimalism

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"Minimalism is evolving from its modest roots to a look fit for modern times," Shutterstock says.

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Cactus

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"From wallpapers to prints to props, the popularity of the cactus (+261 percent) speaks to an obsession with desert culture and its new age tendencies," Shutterstock says.

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Natural Luxury

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"Rising from the popularity of bohemia and new age aesthetics and practices, this style incorporates the swirls of marble or the ripples of agate for a luxe effect that can be subtle or dramatic," Shutterstock says.

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Space

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"The creative world is taking note of box office hits with an emphasis on space," Shutterstock says. "Searches for solar are up 991 percent and interest in astro has increased 671 percent, while the popularity of the unmistakable sci-fi synthwave sound has increased 494 percent."

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A Global March

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"A century after women gained the right to vote across much of the world, the battle for equality continues with fresh urgency," Shutterstock says. "Searches for International Women’s Day are up 660 percent, while activism saw an increase of 540 percent."

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Holographic

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"Up 435 percent in searches, holographic’s chameleon palette of shimmering colours is a trend to watch because it works on so many levels – as high or low culture, as old or new, as playful or serious – and it’s always beautiful in application," Shutterstock says.

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