The basis of the classical style is conciseness, clarity and slimness .. Typical features of the image are used for the most part. Classic is a strict framework of gold and silver, rich decorative elements. The color in the framework of the classical style involves the use of saturated colors and contrasting combinations: thick brown, crimson.

The classic style follows the best traditions of ancient architecture and the Italian High Renaissance. The classic style in graphic design is usually chosen by state structures, large banks and some art institutions.

Classic style

Simplicity and brevity is the basis of minimalism. This style originated in art in the 1960s in America and at that time was contrasted with expressionism. Minimalism is the release of the composition of all minor, minor details and an emphasis on the most important thing.

The space freed by this works as a lens highlighting the most important things. The colors of minimalism are stingy as well as images. 2-3 colors are used most often.



Pop Art (short for popular art -popular art) - the direction in art emerged in 1950-1960. The founder of this graphic style, Andy Warhol made us remember the most vivid images of pop art: Ernesto Che Guevara, Marilyn Monroe. Characteristic features of pop art are:

  • bright colours
  • expressive, soft silhouettes
  • unexpected and dynamic compositional solutions
  • used collage technique and conscious kitsch
  • an integral feature of pop art is the use of bright images of stars of politics, show business and cinema.

Pop art is aimed at young people from here, it takes its frivolity and advocated consumer attitude.



Vintage is a trend that was popular in the 50s of the 20th century. The very word “Vintage” implies a certain object, a typical thing of its time, carrying special stylistic tendencies. Vintage adds the atmosphere of nostalgia and makes us turn to the past. A typical technique of this style is “aging” of photographs and images.

As for color, it is either gray monochrome compositions, or soft whitened colors that seem to fade with time. Often used retro-specific fonts. Vintage graphic style carries the value of the past through the present.

Using text as the main element in the composition - these are the distinguishing features of typography as a style in graphic design. The use of font sets to create forms and images enhances the meaning and depth of the visual message.

At the moment it is one of the most effective tools of exposure in advertising. We work with a different booklet, a poster or a sign with various typefaces and fonts, and how we do it is of paramount importance. Placing textual information as the main element, we have to take a closer look at the feasibility of using certain headsets and features of font perception.

(from fr. empire   style - “imperial style”) The Empire style arose in France in the second half of the 13th century, ending its final stage of classicism. This imperial style is characterized by greatness, power, monumentality.

Empire is a rich decoration with the content of elements of military symbols. Art forms are borrowed primarily from the culture of ancient Rome, Greece and Egypt. Empire was called to emphasize the idea of ​​the power of power and the state, the presence of a strong army. Hence, the corresponding decor is laurel wreaths, shields, armor, eagles, etc. This graphic style is most often used by alcohol manufacturers emphasizing the masculinity and solidity of the brand.

Modern or Art Nouveau (from fr. moderne   - modern) art Nouveau   (fr. art nouveau, "New art"), artistic direction in art, which became widespread in the late XIX, early XX century. The main distinctive features are the departure from straight lines and angles, in favor of more natural forms.

Opposed to classics and empire. The artistic features of the style are asymmetry, non-standard proportions, floral ornament. Modernist colors are discreet pastel colors. Often used to attract female audience.

Art Deco (Art Deco) (fr. art déco   - “decorative art”). The flow of art of the first half of the XX century, which originated in France in the 1920s. Art Deco is a mark in architecture, painting, fashion. Eclectic style combining modern and neo-classicism. Derived from avant-garde.

The distinctive features of the style are bold geometric shapes, strict pattern, generous ornaments and ethnic geometric patterns, the richness of colors. The style is characterized by exoticism expressed by the elements of culture of different countries and peoples.

Grange

(English. Grunge - dirt, abomination) - style emerged in music in the mid-1980s as a subgenre of alternative rock. This style quickly spread from music to all other areas of creative activity. Grunge has grown into a new youth subculture, becoming the opposite of glamor and "glossiness".

Now we can see grunge in clothing design, web design, graphic design, etc. Grunge is characterized by deliberate negligence and rejection of theatricality. The main distinctive features of the grunge style are sloppy strokes, dirt, blots, scuffs, bruises, rough shabby textures and other untidy. The colors are muted, calm: black, brown, beige and gray.

Swiss style.

The Swiss international style (1945-1985) is named after its origin. This is one of the main directions of the modernist current of the second half of the nineteenth century. The basis of the visual communication of the Swiss style were simple geometric and abstract forms. Design becomes scientifically sound, with a clear structure and order.

Thanks to the use of a modular grid, the structure of the design is easily absorbed and read by consumers, which makes this style popular now. Distinctive features are a rejection of national peculiarities and decor, which makes this style international.

Psychedelic.

Psychedelic (psyche - soul, delicious - expand). The name originated from psychedelic drugs popular at the time among young people (1960-1975). This style is diligently trying to convey to us the mood and feelings after using drugs.

From here bright, shouting colors, illegibility and chaos in design layouts. Smooth lines are borrowed from art nouveau, but added contrasting shapes and colors, illegible and curved fonts. Psychedelic design often does not attract, but repels.

Kitsch.

American kitsch or "art of the 50s" as it is also called was popular in the United States in 1940-1960. American kitsch is characterized by excessive emotionality, as a rule, it is vulgarity, sentimentality, pretentiousness. From German kitsch translates as "bad form."

Works in the style of kitsch are performed at a high professional level, sometimes too dramatic and expressive, but they do not carry the true cultural value in them like real works of art. The fonts of this style are plain, sometimes handwritten, they focus our attention on the exciting plot and emotional characters.

Digital style (Digital).

Digital style (1985 - present). The computer allows modern designers much more than ever. In modern design we can see graphics from web design (web 2.0) and computer games, non-existent 3D forms and perspectives.

Digital style is difficult to classify by any criteria, the main feature is the use of the computer as the main tool, without which the creation of a composition would be impossible or difficult to access.
Victorian style.

Victorian style (Victorian age) was born in England in 1840-1900, against the backdrop of rapid industrial growth in those years. The reign of Queen Victoria had a strong direct influence on the visual arts of that era. Motives such as nostalgia, romanticism, sentimentality and detailed beauty turned out to be dominant.

The Victorian style is characterized by saturation with details and sophistication. Objects placed on posters of the Victorian era have oval or curved shapes, serif fonts, the correct symmetrical arrangement on the canvas, framing. High informational saturation of design layouts is the hallmark of that era.

Hipster (Hypster style).

Hipsters (indie kids) appeared in the 40s of the twentieth century, the United States of America. The concept originated from the English expression "tobehip" - "to be in the subject." From here arose a related "hippie". At the moment, this is a topical youth subculture, which is united by clothes, accessories, consumer lifestyle, the desire to be in trend.

  Style is characterized by trends in graphic design. Both monophonic contrasting illustrations with reference to the vintage style and bright, contrasting alypisty color combinations. Similar color contrast is shifted to the font component of this direction.

In one sign in the "hipster style" can be used from 3 to 5 different types of headsets, from handwritten to accidental. Photos are actively used, as a rule they serve as a “substrate” for original font solutions. Hipster style logos are monotonous and saturated with ribbons, lines, crosses and other simple elements.

Infographics.

Infographics present information using graphics. This method of conveying information originated in the second half of the 20th century, but became especially popular in recent years because of what I decided to highlight it in this article.

Infographic may not yet be able to be distinguished in a separate style, but it is difficult not to recognize it. These are always graphs, numbers and dry facts. Infographics is able to convey the maximum amount of information in the shortest possible time, which makes it extremely effective.
  Discussion: 11 comments

    Hello, my name is Roman, I am currently engaged in the development of methodological stands on the use of styles in graphic design, and I have only one question on this article, why these styles and not all others are used in graphic design, if you answer me I will be very happy and very grateful, you can write to the mail [email protected]

    Hello Roman!
      Graphic design is just a tool with which we can establish communication with the consumer. For example, in the middle of the twentieth century, when people rested from the war and rebuilt their economies, the so-called “Good Design” came to us. In the era of "Good Design" on the posters and covers one could see calm and balanced color combinations, purity and order embodied in the images of modest housewives.
      Each style has its own purpose, it always carries with it some kind of subtext, and which one depends on the state of things and values ​​in society. In addition, the use of one or another style is sometimes associated with the target audience. For example, if we need the attention of young people, then we take grunge, etc.

    i thank you for the answer and attention that you gave me, but there are a great many styles, many styles appeared before the definition of graphic design, and it would be very difficult to present them all, and probably not even possible because Many of them do not have specific cannons for visual use, but only mind-set spiritual methods, just the essence of the question is - by what criteria were these particular styles chosen for this article. It's just my graduation project) and I'm looking for an answer to this question through all possible channels.
      Thanks in advance.

    thanks a lot, I was waiting for this answer!

    Hello, Alexander. Well, first, thank you for the description, really helped to put it on the shelves. Could you recommend a really good literature on these styles.

New trends in graphic design appear quite rarely. As one trend replaces another, it becomes visible only as time passes, and even then not always. Some ideas and patterns originate within large digital communities, such as Drebbble or Behance, but only a few experts will be able to accurately predict which particular trend will most strongly influence culture, fashion, and the entire graphic design as a whole.

Graphic design trends are never short term and never disappear without a trace. They penetrate our lives gradually, slowly gaining popularity. And also slowly fade into the background, becoming less popular. All the major trends that will be relevant in 2016 did not appear out of nowhere. These trends have dominated over the past few years, changing slightly, but remaining absolutely recognizable.

Many graphic designers follow what is happening in their industry and try to use new approaches in their work. It makes sense - analysis of trends allows you to get rid of cliches and cliches. What trends will be most significant in 2016?

MODERN RETRO

Unlike the usual retro, modern retro-style focuses on the style of the 70s and 80s. This is the era of the first personal computers, video games, active space exploration and the rapid development of digital technologies. As an example, the work of the Philippine designer Ralph Numbers is in his work - nostalgia for the recent past is very clearly seen in his work. In the “Retro-technology” series, he collected many recognizable objects and devices that almost no one uses today - film, audio tapes, floppy disks, turntables, pagers, and much more.

Designers of The Welcome Branding Group’s studio also turned to retro style when they were instructed to create a series of posters for the MusicLab shop selling vinyl records. As a result, the design looks like it was created in the mid 70s of the last century.

But in the design of the products of the brand Write Scetch & the graphic style of the 80s is clearly visible.

Designer Aline McGuire, working on decorating cans for Coca-Cola, was inspired by the once-popular arcade game Space Invaders, which appeared in 1978 and was incredibly popular. The result was a funny pixel art, forcing you to recall the very first computer games.

MATERIAL DESIGN

Modern graphic design and digital technologies are connected so closely that designers are influenced by trends that dominate other industries, for example, in web development. When Google introduced its Material Design concept, hardly anyone expected it to have an impact on the entire design. This visual language is distinguished by deliberate color choices, large-scale typography, and bold use of white space.

Material Design is in many ways similar to the Flat 2.0 style, but this is a completely separate direction in design. It has more realism, depth, volume and movement. And although Google has created its own visual language for use in the digital environment, its principles can be used in many different kinds of design.

BRIGHT COLOR PALETTE

Such trends as modern retro and Material Design are related to the use of bright and unusual color combinations in the design. Consequently, designers will actively use bright colors in their projects. And despite the fact that the trend to use muted tones dominates in the web, in graphic design everything is the other way around - bright and saturated colors are in fashion.

  • PANTONE 13-1520 Rose Quartz
  • PANTONE 15-3919 Serenity
  • PANTONE 12-0752 Buttercup
  • PANTONE 16-3905 Lilac Gray
  • PANTONE 15-1040 Iced Coffee
  • PANTONE 16-1548 Peach Echo
  • PANTONE 19-4049 Snorkel Blue
  • PANTONE 13-4810 Limpet Shell
  • PANTONE 17-1564 Fiesta
  • PANTONE 15-0146 Green Flash

Obviously, there is a trend to use bright colors, such as peach, yellow, rich blue and bright green. The combination of bright green and yellow colors was used by the designers of the studio In The Pool, who worked on the creation of a poster for the international conference Paris Climat 2015 devoted to the problem of global warming.

The 80s graphic images were inspired by the designer Tron Burgundi while working on a poster for the Walk The Moon show. Bright colors and geometric shapes lead us to recall another trend that is gaining momentum in graphic design.

GEOMETRIC FIGURES

The use of geometric shapes is a noticeable trend, although the difference in approaches is obvious. Today, an increasing number of designers use the so-called polygons, which are used to create three-dimensional models and video games. More recently, this graphic technique would be incomprehensible to the viewer, but now everything has changed and illustrations in which geometric figures are used in one way or another will appear more often.


NEGATIVE SPACE

Negative or negative space is an integral part of any good design. Using this technique allows you to add to the design depth or double meaning. Most often, negative space is used when creating a logo or in branding, but nothing prevents it from being used in other types of graphic design.

Designer John Randal has created a very interesting logo for The Swan & Mallard restaurant, where the swan, duck and ampersand are very well combined, and all this thanks to the skillful use of negative space.

Another example is the concert poster for the 123 Years The Best Of British Music event. The viewer first sees the violin and only then distinguishes the numbers 1, 2 and 3, which are in the title of the event.

EMOTIONAL TYPOGRAPHICS

This trend indicates that typography can be used to create a dramatic effect. Large letters attract attention, and you can enhance the impression through the use of bright color combinations, textures and unusual arrangement of elements.


UNIQUE ILLUSTRATIONS

Designers gradually refuse to use stock illustrations. The reason - too similar images and lack of individuality. No designer wants his work to look like a cliché, the same goes for brands that are struggling to stand out from the competition. The use of stock images in design reduces originality and, moreover, there is a risk that some elements can be seen in the works of other designers.

So in 2016, the trend for custom illustrations will be very noticeable. They will be used in a variety of projects, ranging from the design of printed materials and ending with the landing pages of sites.

INSTEAD OF CONCLUSION

Follow the trends, of course you need. But to use new approaches in design just because they are in fashion is not a good idea. And if you really want so much to try something new, it is better to make sure that a particular trend fits well with the project and will be correctly understood by the audience. Nevertheless, it is better to remain pragmatic and use only those elements or color combinations that will look appropriate in the design.

Graphic Works

Theater

Book, theater

Book graphics and stage design are those areas of art where visual art mates with other art forms where a diverse culture is required of the artist. In the book and theatrical design artistic result arises when visual solutions are related to the literary or theatrical fabric of the work.

Life, unfolding on the stage and inspired by the beauty of singing, gesture, scenery, embodies the very world of art, with which only the value of being was associated. Theater is a special world, where fiction and reality are one and the same. The main attraction of the worldviewers is in its beauty. In theatrical work, they sought to turn the scene into a "kingdom of beauty."

All that encompasses the notion of “theatricality” - sublimity and non-classical, magic and detachment, truth and fiction - become a characteristic feature, in particular, of graphic works.

Turning to the graphic, the laypersons for several years raised its culture. Whatever the artists did - a book, a magazine, a theatrical program, an envelope for business cards, a poster - they saw their purpose in decorating the publication. In the graphic art dominates the idea of ​​beauty. The design of books and magazines begins with a cover and is then built on the screensavers and ending, the initial letters and the stroke of the headings.

Vignette   - the main element of design. Motives   - flowers, ribbons, garlands, vases. Miriskussnikov often called masters of vignettes or vignetists.

5.7.5 The publication of the magazine "World of Art"

The first art illustrated magazine. Starting to publish the magazine, artists began to realize their views on life on it, revealed their possibilities, worked out a graphic style. In the search for the artistic appearance of the magazine, all the graphics of the World of Art participated, professional, design principles of design were built. Artists think over which paper to print a magazine, in which font, they choose the technique of reproduction, order printing in various printing houses and monitor the quality of production.

Edited magazine S. Dyagilev. Patrons of art S.Mamontov and M.T. Tenischeva subsidized, but private subsidies ended a year later and the magazine existed for four years on a public account, with the onset of a financial crisis in the country, the journal stopped its publication with issue 12 of 1904.

Developing their graphic style, they proceed from the two-dimensionality of the printed sheet, agree on the nature of the graphics and font set.


The graphics found their own conventional language, it is distinguished by the absence of illusiveness, stylized drawing, the play of black and white, lines and spots.

"World of Art" united the first generation of artists who did not limit their professional activities to the problems of national art, but correlated and measured their work with all that happened at that time in the art of other countries.

The magazine was supposed to reflect all the new, significant things that appeared in art, both in domestic and in foreign. The World of Art introduces the reader to the Abramtsevsmi and Talashkin workshops, the art of Western modernity (the first ones are published by Aubrey Berdsley), propaganda of Russian art is also going on, magazines devoted to the works of K.A. Somov, A.P.Ostroumova, V. A.Serova, M.A. Vrubel.

For talented individuals who formed this creative community, the reality was not the surrounding, but the inner life full of dreams and beauty. They turned to the bygone days - the XVIII "gallant century", 30 years of the XIX century. Gradually, themes and motifs taken from the past began to dominate in painting and graphics. Retrospect is their distinguishing feature. The works of the World Artists are easily recognizable by their sophisticated styling, they took as a basis: the time of Peter I and Louis XIV, the 18th-century Russian portrait and German engraving, Pushkin's book graphics, etc.

Creativity of the World Artists develops in parallel with the most serious study of Russian culture of the 18th — early 19th century. Benoit is systematically working to collect information about the artists of the time. Dygilev carries out work on the study of creativity Levitsky, the result of which was the exhibition "World of Art", devoted to portrait painting in 1905, which exhibited more than 2,000 works of Russian and Western European artists, sculptors.

60 issues of the magazine and 5 exhibitions show the results of the intensive activity of the “World of Art”, which has placed it at the center of the whole artistic life of Russia. During this period, the aesthetic program of this association was fully expressed, the creative individuality of all its participants was determined (as a rule, these were already professional artists, established personalities).

The final stage in their activities was the design with the triumph of the “Russian seasons” in Paris where they designed all the opera and ballet performances.

The cultural role played by the “World of Art” turned out to be more significant than the contribution left by the individual creativity of its members. Collective actions of the “World of Art” always raised the tone of the whole artistic life. The artistic style developed by them was continued and developed in the field of graphics - in the works of the so-called “second generation” of the “World of Art”. All the artists belonging to him devoted themselves to the schedule, approving its professional status.

If you are thinking of ordering a corporate identity or creating a logo for your brand, or are you interested in designing the packaging of your products, and you are not indifferent to the retro style - welcome to our time machine, and let history create inspiration!

Modern graphic design often refers to bygone eras and to the history of style and design. Inspiration can eagerly draw on the aesthetics and culture of the past, but the simple way to copy and imitate the past days in your design is better to rethink and update the history. Look into the past, but look at the present.

Take a pen and paper - we are going to plunge into the past. Let's take a look at the 150-year history of graphic design, starting in 1850 and ending with 2000, and see what can be inspired by the development of corporate identity.

01. Victorian style (1850-1900)

The graphic design of the Victorian era is attached to the typography and the principle "the more the better." The era, named after the reign of Queen Victoria, which preceded the industrial revolution, witnessed radical shifts in production, social and cultural change.

New technologies made printing and paper more accessible, and entrepreneurs began to use graphic design for the commercial development of their business. Printing houses developed new and new decorative fonts, lettering, drawing ingenious posters, advertisements, making out pages of magazines and any other printed materials with complex, symmetrical and patterned aesthetics.

Order Corporate Identity in the Victorian manner:

Paint the page - every inch, - but keep the symmetry
   Experiment with lettering and complex embossing.
   Add shadows, outlines and any artful decorations.
   Combine text and image into one piece of art

The graphic design of the Victorian era is a good choice for cafe-bars, in the interior of which there are various unique and inventive details, patterns, ornaments. This style is especially successfully combined with names in which there is the word “Victoria”, as on the Victoria Brown logo - a symmetrical layout, characteristic typography, ornate forms and a crown, crowning the composition.

02. The movement of arts and crafts (1870-1910)

If you think that Victorian design is the most patterned design of all, then you are deeply mistaken. The movement of arts and crafts was a reaction against the production of consumer goods and low-quality goods of the Industrial Revolution. Led by William Morris, the defenders fought for a return to manual design and proclaimed joy in labor. They used traditional production patterns, turned to natural materials and were inspired by the ideas of the past.

Creating a logo in the style of the Arts and Crafts Movement:

Use natural, natural color palette.
   Create dense, intertwining compositions, floral and with curved shapes
   Depict natural and floral themes.
   Use medieval typography

The presented brand identity is not made in such a dense layout, but inspired by the image of nature as we see it in life, naturalness is emphasized by the calm color gamut. The result is an aesthetic desire to admire, and then eat these vegetables.

03. Art Nouveau (1880-1910)

Art Nouveau is often perceived as something twisted and curly. In fact, this style expresses the psychological changes and anxieties that occurred at the turn of the twentieth century, and most often the flowing and tortuous design reflects this state of flow and change. It was time for discoveries, new technologies, deep knowledge of the world. Moreover, the atmosphere of emancipation was vital in the air; in the face of a liberated, modern woman, men began to feel an opponent for the title of master of life - now not only could they learn, work and even imagine cycling.

Creating an Art Nouveau logo:

Emphasize linear and abstract shapes, flat design inspired by Japanese tradition.
   Use curved and flowing lines and shapes that transform, move and melt.
   The design should express the portrayed subject.
   Depict women's faces

The cover of this book of ancient tales of Japan is inspired by the influence of Japanese design, which was popular in the era of Art Nouveau. The letters "C" and "J" in the name are transformed by natural patterns; feeling like flowers grow from the bottom of a book; and the dragonfly - a popular symbol of the current - flies by in the upper right corner.

04. Dadaism (1910-1920)

The style of Dadaism or Dada became a reaction to the First World War as a counter-aesthetic movement, which focused on anti-war policy.
  For Dadaists, war does not make any sense, and the society that participates in it is questioned - which means that the art itself is also in doubt.

Artists sought to destroy traditional values ​​in art and replace the old with the new. They disposed and experimented old typography, revolutionizing the “idiotic and nauseating concept of old-fashioned books,” and as a result, the design of promotional items spawned spontaneous lettering and images that were supposed to “double the amazing power of words.

Creating a logo in the style of Dadaism:

Experiment with fonts, layout and empty space.
   Break all the rules and follow the mess
   Make collages from pictures, tickets, newspapers and any other printed materials.
   Speculate meanings and meanings by combining incompatible images and texts.

05. Avant-garde (1920-1930)

The period between the two world wars marked the era of inventions and innovations, and the term Avant-garde refers us to the people who worked at that time. Indeed, avant-garde experimenters and innovators expanded the boundaries of design. In the Netherlands, artists went into the abstraction of shapes and colors to express new utopian ideas of spiritual harmony and order. In Russia, constructivist artists merged art with new technologies and political ideology to support the revolution.

Order corporate style in the style of Avant-garde:

Follow clear geometric lines and shapes.
   Use primary colors in rich hues.
   Include photo montage
   Choose big and bold fonts

The cover of this CD clearly refers us to the work of Russian constructivists in its red-black-and-white palette. Pronounced lines outline a square, and black and white elements merge in a photomontage.

06. Art Deco (1920-1930)

From the roaring 20s to the Great Depression in the United States, Art Deco was designed to boost production and consumption. This style was born in France, where luxury items epitomized a short-term economic revival. French artisans used exotic materials, revived traditional methods, and welcomed the classic experience of the colonial world to create exclusive piece goods. When Art Deco spread in America, the designers adapted its aesthetics for the modern urban lifestyle - consumer society.

Creating an Art Deco logo:

Stick to straight and ray-shaped geometric lines.
   Stylize abstract lines for flat 2D images, as if frozen in place.
   Be inspired by skyscrapers, cars, transport and the age of jazz
   Create shiny, shiny, glossy surfaces

07. The international style (1950-1960)

Have you ever wondered where your legs grow from Helvetica (sans serif fonts)? Now you know. After the upheavals of the Second World War, the international (or Swiss) style sought simplicity, minimalism and precision. In the 1950s and 1960s, Swiss designers pushed the modernist ideals of Avangrad even further, experimenting with typography and photomontage. They did not feel the need for self-expression. The style became the embodiment of the mantra “form follows function” - the designers created a universal, anonymous, objective graphic language.

Order Corporate Identity in International Style:

Use strong typography such as Helvetica fonts.
   Include photos instead of illustrations and drawings.
   Bring more space into your design
   Structure Asymmetry

A bold, easy-to-read font, lots of space, photographic images and a very simple color palette - an internationally conceptual design.

08. Medieval Modern (1950-1960)

Meanwhile, in the middle of the century, America enjoyed a good life filled with optimism and prosperity after the Second World War.
  Designers appealed to the ideals of European modernists and connected them with this optimistic feeling and well-being to create bright, colorful and full of life works that appealed to society to consume, consume, consume.

Order corporate identity in the style of medieval modern:

Use bright, emotional colors.
   Leave a lot of space
   Insert fun and expressive illustrations
   Create lively and fancy compositions.

These wooden cars are reminiscent of the time when there were no plastic toys. Development of packaging design is aimed here at precisely that era. Medieval modern in this design is embodied by bright, abstract illustrations of machines, symbolizing speed and movement.

09. Psychedelic (1960-1970)

The psychedelic movement grew due to the spread of hallucinogenic drugs in the 60s and 7s. When the post-war generation came of age in those years, they put America’s materialistic and conservative values ​​into great doubt, with the result that the revolutionary youth movement marked revolts and a time of experimentation. Music festivals and concerts, of which drugs were an integral part, are characteristic attributes of the social landscape. Graphic design visually expressed this feeling of “turning off from reality” with the help of rich colors, twisted lines and shapes (which is similar to Art Nouveau) and barely readable fonts.

Creating a psychedelic style logo:

Choose bright and contrasting color shades.
   Do not leave a single untouched place.
   Insert faces
   Create the illusion of movement from clear winding lines.

This poster is a fantastic piece of art, referring us to psychedelic design and advertising the concert tour of The Black Keys rock band. There is not a centimeter on it that would remain intact, the mass of lines and shapes move and flow into each other.

10. Postmodernism (1970-1980)

Postmodern design, what is it all about? After the order and rationality that prevailed in the design of modernity, postmodern designers threw out convention and seriousness from the window and worked in a bold, screaming, faddish design. In the end, the courtyard stood the 80s. Traditional conventionality was ignored; instead, an expressive, playful design was created combining elite and mass cultures.

Order corporate identity in the style of postmodernism:

Mix and match as many bright colors as possible.
   Play, leave seriousness, think about the form, not the content
   Photomontage - for fan and aesthetics, but not for meaning
   Focus your design on a pop audience.

As the journalist wrote on the portal itsnicethat.com, “the ability to recognize a celebrity by its parts is actually the only thing that distinguishes a person from a beetle bug”

11. Grunge (1990s)

Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Stone Temple Pilots - the era of grunge in the 90s gave us quite a lot of great music, as well as examples of beautiful “dirty” design. As postmodernism was a reaction to the functionalism of modernism, the muted grunge became a reaction to the colorful postmodernism. It was supposed to be a more accurate and realistic depiction of real life with its dirty spots, blurred images, abrupt and dirty textures. David Carson, one of the grunge designs, experimented with expressive typography, backgrounds and textures.

Order corporate identity in the manner of Grange:

Use a subdued and dull color palette.
   Experiment with blurred and distorted images.
   Use dirty textures and elements like stains or tears.
   Add handwritten elements and broken fonts

Your turn

Fashion and trends in graphic design are cyclical (as in web design, which we wrote about in this article). Look back in the past for meaningful, not just aesthetic inspiration, and try to become an innovator, not just an imitator. Historical trends in design are best interpreted when there is meaning and relevance in their meaning and context of use.



Style "constructivism" in design

Constructivism is the direction that is primarily associated with architecture. However, such a vision can be called one-sided or even fundamentally wrong, because before becoming an architectural method, constructivism existed in design and printing. In graphic forms of creativity, constructivism was characterized by the use of photomontage instead of hand-drawn illustration, extreme geometrization, the subordination of the composition to rectangular rhythms. The color range was also stable: black, red, white, gray with the addition of blue and yellow.




Style "Classic" in design

Graphic design in classic style is based on strict canons: clarity, conciseness, harmony and consistency. Only typological features of the image are used. The classics are always timeless and today are as popular as they were several decades ago. In this style, business cards, calendars and other office printing are performed. Elements of the classical style: strict frames, shiny, shiny gradients, various decorative elements. As for the color solutions of the classical style, as a rule, these are saturated and bright shades in combination with silver or gold color.




Victorian design style

The main feature of the Victorian style - the saturation of the details. Here the concept of “fear of emptiness” again came into use, but, unlike the traditional interpretation, for example, in the art of Baroque, it became a reflection of a different, eclectic thinking. This is noticeable in the design and residential interiors, and characteristic for this period of advertising posters.



Avant-garde style in design

Avant-garde is a generalized name for trends in European art that emerged at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries, expressed in polemical fighting form. Avant-garde is characterized by an experimental approach to artistic creativity that goes beyond classical aesthetics, using original, innovative means of expression, as well as an underlined symbolism of artistic images.



American design mid-20th century

In the 40s and 50s, the concept of “good design” was established throughout Europe. In Italy, it received the name "bell design", in Germany - "good shape", in the north of Europe - "Scandinavian design". The main need of people in the postwar years was the establishment of a normal peaceful life. A design that meets this social request should have been of high quality, “calm”, economical, and pleasing to the eye. The society did not want a challenge, a protest, or elitism from things.


Empire style in design

The Empire style is often associated with St. Petersburg, as the main theme of the style is monarchical and heroic. This style is often focused on the ancient images of Greece, Rome, Egypt. Power, majesty, monumentality characterize the Empire. As a decor, various military motifs can be used: armor, laurel wreaths, eagles, Egyptian ornament is often found. In modern advertising, most often this style is used by manufacturers of alcoholic beverages to emphasize the solidity and masculinity of the brand. Empire is able to create the effect of royalty, majesty.




Style "Modern" in design

Modern or art nouveau - the exact opposite of the classics and empire. Its distinctive features are: rejection of straight lines and angles in favor of more natural, “natural” patterns, non-standard proportions, asymmetry, and floral patterns. This lightness and romance is usually expressed in the use of pastel colors. Modern denies the canonicity and clarity of the elements of the composition. It is usually used to attract a female audience.



Art Deco style in design

Art Deco (Art Deco) is derived from avant-garde. The main features: the pattern, ethnic geometric patterns, luxury. The exoticism of this style is expressed in the use of elements of culture and traditions of different countries and peoples. This ancient Mesopotamia, and the Mayan people, and the Egyptian culture of the era of the Pharaohs. Often used references to the culture of ancient Greece, Rome, China and Japan, and not least - Russia. You can find repetitive geometric shapes: circles, squares, arrows - this is the result of the influence of America of the 20s, when mechanical and industrial forms became sources of inspiration for designers. A striking example of art deco style is the design of a pack of cigarettes Lucky Strike.




Style "Minimalism" in design

This style is based on simplicity and conciseness. Monochrome, simple shapes, neutral colors - this is the price you should pay if you want to focus on the main object or image. Good examples of minimalism can be found in Japanese designers. Elegance and simplicity. Sometimes this is all that is needed to arouse interest in the image.


Style "Pop Art" in design

Pop art (or popular art) aims to display precisely mass images - from consumer goods to celebrities. The most memorable images of this style were the images of Ernesto Che Guevara and Marilyn Monroe from the founder of the style of Andy Warhol. The main characteristics of the style: bright, rich colors and sharp contrasts. This style is aimed at attracting a mass audience, mostly to young people.


Typography style in design

Typography can be considered the basis of modern graphic design in advertising. Its main task is to inform. In typography, one element is text. Further manipulations of the designer can be made with fonts, color, arrangement of the text itself. A classic example of this style is various labels, information leaflets.




Style "grunge" in design

At one time, the grunge style emerged as an alternative to combed glamor and unnatural fake beauty, idealized to closeness. Such definitions as dirty, deliberately untidy, sometimes even ugly can be applied to grunge. Now grunge is a powerful steady trend of web design, giving a lot of room for self-expression.

Modern grunge does not seek to totally use all the "gadgets" from its arsenal, in order to resemble a dump or a pile of garbage. Just a few visual elements - and the design gets a completely different sound. The visual component of grunge is more likely transformed into a form of slight negligence or fading by time from long and frequent use.

Grunge is one of the most creative and fun web design styles. It gives ample opportunities for experiment, allows to try various graphic elements. And while there is no need to adhere to strict forms and rules.

Designers from Yourinspirationweb considered 4 main components of the grunge style. It is the presence of one or several such elements that determines the belonging to this style.

  1. Grunge color palette
    In a grunge design, vibrant and vibrant colors are usually replaced with more subdued and matte. Typical colors are beige, brown, black and gray. Grunge avoids pastel shades as well as typical Web 2.0 style colors.
  2. Textures and patterns
    It can be said that this is a fundamental element for the grunge style. For the background, various “untidy” visual elements are used, such as: images of steel reinforcement, torn jeans, wooden surfaces, as well as surfaces with various noises and scuffs. Here is a huge field for experimentation. The main thing is that it is appropriate.
  3. Realistic details
    Grunge, like the style of hand made, has a weakness for all sorts of man-made things. These can be stickers, Polaroids, scraps of paper, pieces of paper tape, clips. As well as items such as blots, stains, splashes and stains on the surface.
  4. Grunge fonts
    Grunge font can have scuffs, roughness, creases. It may consist of uneven and irregular lines and look as if it had been manipulated with something. Or, alternatively, it may be a handwritten font.