8 huge design trends for 2021 revealed

We're used to seeing annual design trend forecasts, but we're not used to them following the rollercoaster of a year that has been 2020. A brilliant new infographic has arrived to tell you what will be shaking up the design world in 2021 – and it seems the word of the year is, appropriately, chaos. 

From surrealism to clutter, via maximalism and, er, 'technodystopia', Coastal Creative says 2021 will be all about imposing and chaotic designs – you can say goodbye to harmony and legibility. Outsized typography is in (check out our best free fonts for inspiration), while harmonious colour combos are out. Next year is all about clashes.

Thank you for reading 5 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access

Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1

*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription

Join now for unlimited access

Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1

Daniel John
Design Editor

Daniel John is Design Editor at Creative Bloq. He reports on the worlds of design, branding and lifestyle tech, and has covered several industry events including Milan Design Week, OFFF Barcelona and Adobe Max in Los Angeles.

Read more
logo for Jolene, Hornsey Road in a hand-drawn style
Has maximalism finally had its moment? How 'understated' may be 2025's buzzword
Jaguar logo
The year in logos: 2024 was both pivotal and controversial
Facebook alegria art style
These are the outdated graphic design trends that creatives wish would disappear
An image displaying the font called Cheesecake by Mark Simonson, via Adobe Fonts.
I asked 5 designers for their typography trend predictions: this is what they said
Zhang Jiayi – Master Bao's Pastry store commercial illustration
The illustration trends set to take shape in 2025
five different logos on a pink to yellow gradient background
The best logos of the 2020s (so far)
Latest in Graphic Design
Monotype quiz
What's your type? Take this font quiz to find your soulmate
I Saw the TV Glow poster
I Saw the TV Glow poster is a stylish twist on classic horror
Animal Farm book cover by Karolis Strautniekas
Animal Farm book cover has a creepy hidden detail
Microsoft To Do
People have some Very Strong Opinions on the Microsoft To Do icons
Between the Lines
"It's not enough to be a good writer”: Zosia Swidlicka on the importance of brand language in copywriting
3D World 310
Download files for 3D World 310
Latest in News
Bambu Lab H2D
Reddit slams the new Bambu Lab H2D Laser 3D printer
Photo of Bill Gates
Bill Gates says only 3 jobs will be safe from AI (and it's bad news for creatives)
MacBook deals
I'd pick these 2 MacBook deals over all others today – save up to $1000
Kia logo
The new Kia logo is still bemusing the internet
An image of a beach with text written in the sand reading 'Good vibes only'
What is vibe coding, and is it really the future of app and game development?
An screenshot from Metal Gear Solid 2
Gamers are just realising that Metal Gear Solid 2 was way ahead of its time