In 2024, design wasn’t just about looking good—it was about keeping up with what people cared about, how tech advanced, and where culture headed. From poster art with wild graphics to websites with sleek layouts, design trends went big and bold across packaging, branding, and beyond. Brands, whether scrappy startups or corporate giants like Microsoft and Zendesk, wove these trends into their DNA, creating visuals that connected with audiences of that time.

Let’s dive into the design waves of 2024 and how they shape the future.

Packaging Design: Where Fun Meets Function

Packaging in 2024 was a wild mix of vibrant experimentation and thoughtful minimalism. Some brands flexed bold colors that screamed personality, while others kept it cool with chic monochromes. Hand-drawn doodles and experimental fonts made products feel delightfully personal, while sustainable materials were no longer optional—they were the baseline for conscious design.

For example, Starface took the playful route with bright yellows, smiley motifs, and rounded typography, making skincare approachable and fun. In contrast, Youth to the People leaned into muted tones and sleek typography, blending eco-consciousness with a minimalist aesthetic. Each demonstrated how packaging could amplify a brand’s values while connecting deeply with its audience.

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Poster Design: Maximalism’s Comeback Tour

Posters got louder—and we are here for it. Designers mashed together surrealism, neo-brutalism, and indie aesthetics for visuals that demanded attention. Typography stepped up too, turning into full-blown art, while gradients and 3D shapes added depth and intrigue. Even with all the digital flair, there was still a love for the handcrafted, keeping things refreshingly human.

Brands like Lazy Oaf embodied this trend by embracing maximalism with bold colors, retro vibes, and clashing patterns. Their hand-drawn fonts and quirky illustrations created designs that were not just eye-catching but packed with personality. This demonstrated how even traditional mediums like posters were evolving into vibrant canvases for storytelling.

Web & App Design: Nostalgia Meets Futurism

Web and app design was all about blending the past with the future. Think bento-style layouts that are intuitive and clean, paired with retro vibes that make you feel right at home. Hyper-realistic 3D visuals and punchy gradients weren’t just eye candy—they transformed digital spaces into experiences. Minimalist typography kept it functional, proving you don’t need clutter to make a statement.

Brands like Nothing and *Oatside* exemplified this balance of nostalgia and futurism. Nothing embraced futuristic minimalism with transparent designs and monochromatic palettes that screamed innovation. Meanwhile, Oatside’s minimalist aesthetic—clean lines, muted tones, and simple typography—created a modern and premium feel for their oat milk products. This simplicity mirrored their focus on natural ingredients and sustainability. The platform also evoked nostalgia, with subtle vintage elements that enhanced the emotional connection to the brand’s wholesome, natural products.

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Apart from that Koffiracha’s website integrated 3D elements like animated product visuals and icons, creating a dynamic and immersive user experience. These interactive features enhanced the brand’s bold and modern appeal, making the site visually striking and engaging.

Branding Design: Stories in Full Color

Branding is where all these elements came together. Whether it’s bold palettes, custom illustrations, or experimental typography, brands crafted identities that stuck. They weren’t just about looking good; they were building ecosystems of design that felt personal and memorable.

Take Lisa Says Gah for example—the brand fused retro minimalism with modern sensibilities through pastel colors and clean serif typography, evoking nostalgia with a contemporary edge. Meanwhile, Tony’s Chocolonely took an unapologetically bold approach, with chunky typography and eye-popping colors that reflected the brand’s ethical stance.

The B2B space also caught up. Companies like Zendesk used playful fonts and quirky illustrations to humanize their tech-heavy offerings. Even corporate giants like Atlassian integrated animations, bold layouts, and custom visuals to create engaging, approachable brand identities. Similarly, Intercom’s use of clean interfaces, AI-generated visuals, and responsive design reflected a balance between innovation and professionalism.

Conclusion: Trends or Timeless?

Ultimately, trends are called trends for a reason—they’re here today, but will they be tomorrow? In today’s fast-paced world, many of these flashy styles might fade as quickly as they appeared. What’s worth noting is the consistency of certain design pillars, like the balance between minimalism and maximalism, and the ever-present drive for authenticity.

As we look ahead, the real question isn’t just which trends will survive, but how they’ll evolve. What has endured through years of design evolution? And what will fade into the background as the cultural tide shifts yet again? While only time can tell, one thing is certain: great design is always about more than trends—it’s about creating something meaningful, adaptable, and timeless.