As we come skidding to the end of this hectic 12 month period, it appears like there might be some light at the end of the proverbial tunnel. So, I guess it's time to look to the future. But what exactly does it hold for graphic designers and branding Raleigh NC as a whole?Now obviously, no one can predict what is likely to happen in the new year to any degree of accuracy right now. So don't take any of this as gospel. Instead, our hope is that this article will serve as a guide for what might be seen ahead, and inevitably help you have a clear vision as we enter 2021 with as much optimism and hutzpah as possible.

Trend 1: Sustainability

As we entered 2020, we saw a brief glimpse (in some areas) of healthy cohabitation between us and our environment. Today, more and more people are spending time outdoors, enjoying the fresh air and mildly plane-free skies, and random monoliths in secluded areas.Aside from all the economic hardships, racial injustices, and political dumpster fires that 2020 has brung, there has been a noticeably positive change in the environment. We can only hope that the world heeds the lessons we’ve learned from 2020 and continues to help dampen the effects of climate change and social injustice.

Forager Herbal Tea, logo and package designed by MBSJQ.

Naturalist

The naturalist approach is something that’s been tried for a couple years now, but we predict that this identity is going to surge forward in 2021. This approach is executed exceptionally well in Forager Herbal Tea’s branding and designs.The great thing about this identity is that the product itself is biodegradable as well as the packaging. This allows you to position your product in front of a much wider audience, which includes environmentalists now.Another company that achieves this look extremely well is Jaden Smith’s Just Water. The brand is built on the idea that “One carton might not save the world, but it’s a start.”With the cartons being made from paper and the cap being plant-based, the Just Water brand has created a sustainable product that inspires others to start shopping and consuming consciously in 2021.

Jaden Smith’s Just Water brand that aims to help lower our carbon footprint.

Practical Action

"The global awareness towards sustainability has led to a huge shift in how we think about design," says Eve Warren, designer at Robot Food. "And it's now more than ever that big brands have to step up and lead the way. Consumers are more mindful of their social responsibility, and this extends to packaging design."

Trend 2: Retro vibe

Imagine this:It’s a Friday night and you and your significant other have nothing to do. You decide to go RENT a movie from your local Blockbuster. After perusing the shelves for 15 minutes, you find a movie you both might enjoy. On the way to checkout, you grab a bag of popcorn and some Snowcaps. Life is good.That hypothetical date was only possible just 10 years ago, and to this day, I still think about it. What I’m trying to say is that people enjoy looking back on simpler times. Nostalgia, in short, is at an all-time high. Heck, even the last season of American Horror Story was set in the ’80s.It is because of this trend that we are now seeing a lot of retro fonts and color palettes emerging over the last few months. This trend is my, and I'm sure lots of others’, graphic comfort blankets.

Forage and Gold branding, packaging, and imagery all done by makebrado.This comfort blanket provided by makebrado for Forage and Gold is a fine example of retro vibes influencing modern design. The first thing that stands out is the bold lines featured in the typeface they’ve chosen. It’s heavy, yet comforting and inviting at the same time. (They either made their own, or it’s Recoleta or Pockota.)A beautiful retro typeface such as this partnered with a vibrant and colorful palette is a match made in heaven.

Smiths Leather Balm by Dusan Mladenovic, inspired by vintage logos.

Vintage Inspired

Another great example of vintage-inspired branding is this Smith’s Leather Balm, identity crafted by Dusan Mladenovic. The brand aims to remove common toxic household items with all naturals substitutes.Now, the mark itself has a vintage, hand-drawn feel. This hand-drawn aspect evokes a feeling of reliability, trust, and sturdiness. This mark can stand the test of time and looks fantastic on packaging.There are many more trends that are likely to emerge at the forefront of peak design and branding Raleigh NC efforts in 2021. But for now, just enjoy these two examples and keep your eyes peeled for graphic comfort blankets and biodegradable products.