5 Design Trends We’re Loving in 2023
Skinny jeans. Wide-leg jeans. Mini skirts. Overalls. Fashion trends come and go and then come again. And there are certainly trends we hope stay buried … deeply, deeply buried (we’re looking at your low-rise jeans and ‘80s bangs).
In our business, we definitely experience trends in branded apparel and promotional products. This year, we are spotting some really fun new design trends. We love it when businesses get creative with their designs. It’s a great way to stand out from the crowd and create some buzz around your apparel merchandise or even product packaging.
We polled our in-house design team for the top 5 design trends of 2023.
Benny Rinaldi’s, a pizza place in North Charleston’s Park Circle, is using Y2K in its designs. We love it!
Y2K is here to stay! This is one of the top graphic design trends we’re seeing this year. And, we don’t anticipate it going away anytime soon. This one really taps into a sense of nostalgia with playful early 2000s designs using bubblegum pinks and child-like freedom of expression.
Go bold with maximalism
We’ve noticed the graphic design world has shifted toward maximalism as an escape from uninspiring routines and restrictions. Maximalism designs are bold with explosive typography, radical color combinations, and overwhelming visual elements.
Check out some local organizations doing maximalism really well:
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- Lo-Fi Brewing with its colorful designs and funky fonts.
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- College of Charleston’s big, oversized typography.
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- Live for Wellness Chiropractic Center is embracing radical colors and big visuals.
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- The Windjammer on Isle of Palms with its bright colors and script font.
Revelry Brewing has done this really well.
Connect with handmade illustrations
Another big trend this year is handmade illustrations and doodles. If your business wants to add a human touch to its project, this is the way to go. The handmade illustration trend is all about reconnecting with people. The personal appeal of hand-drawn images is hard for customers to resist!
Gothic goes big
Goth is definitely a trend that comes and goes over the years. This year, goth designs are back! Both gothic and grunge designs are an opposing force to all the bubbly, colorful, Y2K era cuteness that’s popping up this year.
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- Bozzelli and Sons Heating and Air is crushing this goth trend!
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- So is Rockabillaque, a festival coming to Park Circle in November. It celebrates all things mid-century Americana culture.
Vintage minimalism keeps it simple
The vintage trend relies on a simple vintage color palette with muted pastel colors taking the lead. Keep font pairs minimal, and use a modern font to add an edgy element. Think ‘70s color palettes without all the tweed and florals.
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- Charleston ice cream shop Off Track has an awesome example of vintage minimalism on their T-shirts.
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- And The Ryder Hotel has embraced this trend for its merch. It fits perfectly with the hotel’s coastal, laid-back vibe.
Which trend is your favorite? Is your business or organization looking to shake up your merch selection? Work with our in-house design team to try one of these trending designs! And, don’t forget, there are plenty of occasions that warrant a commemorative T-shirt, hat or koozie [ICYMI: here’s a list of 6 such occasions]. Don’t be afraid to try something new and jump on a cool trend for your next apparel printing.
Request a quote or stop by our showroom (1758 Ashley River Road in Charleston) where you can chat with our garment gurus and get advice from our rockstar design team.