Let’s explore these 10 design trends for 2025 and what they mean, particularly for small businesses and creative entrepreneurs.
As we dive into 2025, the world of design once again pauses to evaluate the exciting new shifts that could await us. From new color favorites to engaging websites ideas, this article explores the emerging design trends you might encounter this year, and what impact it could have on your business.
Design Trends in Color
Design Trend #1: Moody Simplicity
The dark and moody trend has been growing for a few years now, especially in the interior design space. We saw this emerge in the wedding industry too a few years ago when peacock colors and jewel tones were stealing the show. I look for 2025 to be the year that rich moody tones really break out, especially in branding and rebrands (more on that below).
What does this mean for your business? If you are in an industry where keeping up with the latest color trends is vital (such as interior design, fashion, wedding, and art licensing), consider how you can incorporate these deep, moody colors into your services. For example, wedding professionals may organize a styled shoot around this theme.
Design Trend #2: Alternative Colors to Black
Black will always have a place in design. It’s timeless, sleek, and works well with across many industries. However, this color is often overused in branding. While it’s an easy default background or text color, black creates a strong contrast that is too harsh for many small businesses. This is especially true for the business that wants to communicate a softer, approachable side. When not a strategic fit, black can be disruptive to a brand color palette and even work against the brand.
I look for more businesses to embrace a variety of black alternatives in their color palette, from warming brown to deep jewel tones. These dark and moody alternatives still convey an elevated, sophisticated look while appealing to that softer side.
Design Trend #3: Etherial with a Pop of Color
With every trend usually comes a counter trend. It’s all about standing out right? When everyone zigs, you zag.
While I do expect the dark and moody trends to be embraced, I also look for the light, etherial aesthetic to make a comeback. Etherial – but with a twist. While others are shouting maximalism and bold, bright colors, I see more brands looking to embrace tranquility with a pop of color. Think soft, serene blues with a royal blue accent, or warm browns with a pop of aqua.
I also anticipate gradients coming to the forefront in these softer, monochromatic color schemes. Gradients and ombre effects feel modern and dynamic without overwhelming, which fit perfectly in this sophisticated, etherial style.
Design Trends in Typography
Design Trend #4: Sophisticated fonts with big impact
Modern serif fonts continue to grow in popularity and I expect 2025 to be no exception. Think delicate typefaces, perhaps light and extra light versions, used on a BIG scale. I see businesses daring to go with larger font sizes in their branding, especially on websites and marketing materials.
With this new extra large scale, I look for there to be more emphasis on the typography hierarchy in general. A typography hierarchy refers to the different font styles and sizes used to differentiate between text categories (titles, headings, subheadings, body, etc.).
A few of my favorite independent resources for sophisticated fonts that make an impact are Jen Wagner and Blanc Salvage (affiliate links—Use my coupon code THECREATIVEACCENT for 15% off anything that catches your eye!).
Design Trend #5: Distinctive Type that shows personality
Unique typography styles are a great way for brands to show more personality and move away from that cold, corporate feeling. Likewise, businesses are looking to stand out with less common fonts, as opposed to the same go-to’s that are found everywhere.
I look for fun, creative uses of type to expand in 2025. Choosing fonts with unusual ligatures can make a brand look more interesting and engaging. Branding with custom lettering in the logo design or monogram elevates a brand and creates a distinctive look and feel. This is one of my personal goals this year as a brand designer—to push the creative limits in logo design lettering!
Just remember that while unique type styles certainly make for a distinctive look, legibility should rarely be sacrificed for the sake of creativity. It’s still essential that potential clients can read and understand the message you’re sending through type.
Design Trends in Branding
Design Trend #6: Unique brand illustrations
Business owners are becoming increasingly aware that they need more than just a logo to create a memorable brand. They want to tap into what branding is truly about, which means letting their personality shine through and standing out from their competitors. Think patterns, icons, and custom illustrations.
Brands are looking to create a unique, cohesive experience for their audience. I look for custom illustrations to show up more in small details like:
- website icons
- hand-drawn packaging designs
- stamps with a submark or brand symbol
- branded thank you cards
- branded merchandise
- unique prints and patterns
In opposition to the rise of AI graphics, illustrations that reflect an imperfect, hand-drawn aesthetic may be more valuable than ever as they embody the authenticity that so many brands wants to portray.
Design Trend #7: A greater Emphasis on Strategy
Ok, this one isn’t about design per se. However, strategy is the foundation of any brand design, or at least it should be!
Small businesses owners are catching up to what large corporations have long been investing in, which is a solid brand strategy and the role it plays in the design process. For example, creative entrepreneurs are increasingly looking to understand the impact of color psychology when choosing a brand color palette.
In essence, strategic branding lets you rise above what’s fashionable because it is outside the scope of trends. Trends are often fleeting, but strategy lets you tap into the timeless qualities that set up a business for long-term success. I look for a big majority of 2025 rebrands to embrace and value this process of strategic creative direction beyond just the final result.
Design Trends in Website Design
Design Trend #8: Motion and movement
The days of boxy, stale websites are quickly coming to a close. More and more businesses are looking to delight and engage with their audiences through the use of motion and movement on their websites.
The design-forward website builder Showit (my platform of choice for creative entrepreneurs!) recently announced their take on 9 website design trends for 2025. While I don’t necessarily agree on all of these, I do see an increasing demand for micro-interactions. Think gifs, scrolling text, slight icon movements, and hover effects.
These subtle website animations can help grab more attention without overwhelming the viewer.
Design Trend #9: One-Page Websites
The importance of having a strong online presence is a reality that likely isn’t going away anytime soon. However, I look for more businesses (especially startups) to opt for simpler, one-page websites instead of the more elaborate 6+ page websites.
Why? There are a number of reasons why small business owners would be drawn to the simplicity of a one-page website, such as:
- lower investment in design, copywriting, etc.
- easier to maintain and update
- potential for higher conversions (clearer focus on the client journey)
- upgrade from the free landing page templates you see everywhere
While there’s still a high demand for multi-page websites in the majority of industries, there are some instances where one-page varieties make sense. For example, content creators, virtual assistants, some coaches, social media managers, and even copywriters can leverage the straight-forward approach of a one-page website.
I look for more small business creatives to opt for a stylish one-page website in 2025 over the boxy, cookie-cutter options they might otherwise use from free tools or their domain registrar.
Design Trend #10: Adding Sound to your website
Ok, take this one with a grain of salt. I’ve seen the idea of adding sound to websites discussed more and more lately. However, as with any special features on a website, it’s crucial to consider whether or not it serves the ultimate goal of your website. If not, it’s probably not worth the extra effort (or risk that you’ll deter visitors).
That said, I could see sound being used as a sort of micro-interaction in itself. The user clicks and that triggers a playful or even realistic sound effect that makes the experience feel more interactive and engaging. A coach that focuses on sound therapy might incorporate relaxing music. A vocal coach could use music notes as an engaging element as visitors explore their site.
When it fits, adding sound could certainly add to the distinctiveness of a brand.
What do these design trends mean for your business?
Certainly fun to explore, trends help us keep our finger on the pulse of the new and exciting ideas that could affect our industry. Hop on the right trend at the right time and you could see a sudden surge in following and attention.
Does this mean you need to completely overhaul your branding or business model? Absolutely not!
Trends are exciting, but fleeting. Conversely, some can take years to materialize. As a designer, I make it a habit to research and consider the ebb and flow of trends, but rarely do I make any drastic business changes as a result. Ultimately, I still believe that successful branding and running a business is a long-term venture that should rise above what’s trending at the moment.
