Top 7 Most Overused Techniques & Elements Used In 2008 Graphic Design
Written by Jacob Cass on Tuesday, September 9, 2008 – 9:00 am
Is all design looking the same to you? Are you following graphic design trends subconsciously?
These are two questions to ponder over the next six weeks in this six part series showcasing the most overused techniques, effects, icons, shapes, concepts, fonts, stock images and clichés used in design today.
There will be an article posted every Tuesday at 9am AEST. (GMT+11). Click here to subscribe for free so you do not miss out.
The Six Part Series
- Top 7 Most Overused Techniques & Elements Used in Graphic Design
- Top 7 Most Overused Icons / Shapes Used in Graphic Design
- Top 7 Fonts Used by Professionals In Graphic Design
- Top 7 Most Overused Stock Images Used in Web Design
- Top 7 Most Overused Concepts Used in Graphic & Web Design
- Top 7 Most Overused Clichés In Logo Design
Below is the first article of six.
Top 7 Most Overused Techniques & Elements Used in Graphic Design
Whenever you look for inspiration, you are bound to come across at least one of these techniques / effects / elements. These effects are neither “good or bad” however they are the most common elements found in today’s designs.
Stock images have been used to portray each element. On that note of stock, there was a great discussion about the use of stock art over at GoMediaZine.
1. Sunrays / Rays of Light / Rising Sun
By far the most overused technique used in design today is the infamous rays of light usually found tucked away in the background of a design or at the very forefront of the design such as in the picture above.
2. Black (or Coloured) Silhouettes
Vectorised silhouettes of people and other objects is definitely second on the list. Made famous by the iPod campaign this technique can now be seen everywhere. Notice the combination of the sun rays and black silhouettes?
3. Ink Splatter
Closely contending with number 4, ink splatters are everywhere. Ink Splatters do add a cool / trendy look to a design and they do blend well with grunge style designs however ink splatters should be used in moderation.
4. Swirls / Flourishes / Ornaments
Swirls seem to be all the rage at the moment as they are quite appealing and generally just nice to look at. Flourishes & ornaments go well together to create organic, fresh designs which is quite ‘in’ at the moment.
5. Flowing Lines
Flowing lines generally add motion and fluidity to a design which gives it a certain emotion when combined with other elements (ie. funky circles as seen above) which is generally why they come up so often.
6. Funky Circles
The funky circle colour combo is evident in numerous designs across the web and like the name suggests it does give a design a quite funky look however they are being used everywhere!
7. Smoke Textures
These smoky effects are not as blatantly obvious as the other ones as they are always in the background of a design however if you look a bit closer, these smoky effects are everywhere.
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Is design looking more and more the same? Why? Is it because of stock art? Do you think the elements above are being overused? Voice your opinions below.
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- Sep 9, 2008: 7 Most Overused Techniques & Elements Used In Graphic Design | WhiteSandsDigital.com
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- Sep 9, 2008: nerdd.net | news and opinion
- Sep 10, 2008: Dev Blog » Blog Archive » 7 Most Overused Techniques & Elements Used In Graphic Design
- Sep 10, 2008: 7 most overused design elements |
- Sep 11, 2008: Tendencias en el diseño gráfico en el 2008 — Tablosign
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- Sep 11, 2008: Tendencias del Diseño Grafico « San Sivar Graphics
By drew (7 comments) on Sep 9, 2008 | Reply
I think it’s 100% because of stock art. If you search on istock, it is littered with silhouettes and rising suns. Customers see it and then request it, it’s the same thing every time. Customers know what they want based on what they’ve seen, not many of them have original ideas or the budget to let you use yours.
I would also include skulls and wings on this list.
I’m excited for the rest of this series!
By Nick | Resource Pile (4 comments) on Sep 9, 2008 | Reply
My personal blog has ink splatters, but it was one of the first sites of that style, so I guess that’s OK
As for the others, I do see them as overused, but it’s probably because brushes/stock images of those types are so easy to get, and people are lazy.
Nick | Resource Pile’s last blog post..Massive Wallpaper Roundup!
By James Paden (2 comments) on Sep 9, 2008 | Reply
Wow…is there anything that ISN’T overused?
On the upside, my new blog design (see link) doesn’t have any of those elements!
By Tom Sinclair (4 comments) on Sep 9, 2008 | Reply
Nice article, look forward to the others.
By Jaswinder Virdee (2 comments) on Sep 9, 2008 | Reply
I agree with drew, I think stock art is to blame although i am gulty of using one or two of these techiniques myself…. and am thinking of using some of these techniques in the future albeit it for web design purposes. But i can see some of these being in the Most Overused Stock Images Used in Web Design (which i also can’t wait for).
By styletime (10 comments) on Sep 9, 2008 | Reply
if i could design id use all of those just to aggravate designers
;)
hmmm so now i know what to do trmw!
styletime’s last blog post..Styletime contest launch! Donate a dollar for BlogActionDay and win some great prizes!
By Kristine (11 comments) on Sep 9, 2008 | Reply
True, coming from a twitterer that uses a splat of ink as my twitter icon… representing bird doodie…
So far in my online travels…. I’ve come across the silhouettes much more often than I’d like…..
By Eivind (12 comments) on Sep 9, 2008 | Reply
This is spot-on! I think when these elements became popular, they were great ways to communicate joy, seriousness etc. But as you say, they are overused now—clichés.
We as designers need to come up with new elements to convey the same, but in original ways.
Looks like an interesting series! Looking forward to the rest of it!
Eivind’s last blog post..7 photographic business cards I designed for myself
By Jonathan (14 comments) on Sep 9, 2008 | Reply
How come ‘grunge’ isn’t on the list?!
Be a trend-starter, not a follower :-).
By Nate S (1 comments) on Sep 9, 2008 | Reply
While everyone of these are “overused” they’ve been overused for centuries…just not as easily as they are today. But personally if they do the job, and in the end, appear fresh, then why not have some techniques to fall back on. Nothing wrong with that.
By sean (13 comments) on Sep 9, 2008 | Reply
This is gonna be good. I really dislike the funky circles effect because it always looks the same imo. I mean, there are a few variations you can do on the others, e.g. ink splatters
sean’s last blog post..Student Assassinated at Graduation Ceremony
By Beaulys (16 comments) on Sep 9, 2008 | Reply
I love flowing lines and swirls, but since years, I’m still not able to use those techniques in my work. There are two reasons for that : First, I have the constant impression that if I do that, I will copy someone. And then, I have absolutely no idea of its usefullness in communication. (Well, that’s beautiful… and then ? What about the “functional” ??)
By Beaulys (16 comments) on Sep 9, 2008 | Reply
Oh there’s an exception who show that some of these techniques are functional : Coke.
Huhu.
Greetings from France !
By Dans Chan (1 comments) on Sep 9, 2008 | Reply
Creating new trend need a very brave move. Moreover, client may not really appreciate it. I think that is also a reason why things have been overused.
By OllieJ (2 comments) on Sep 9, 2008 | Reply
Stock imagery/stock art cannot be blamed for the over-use of any of these elements. Stock art is created to fulfill a need or eventual purpose; nothing more.
Now it’d be easy to say that “people are lazy” even though that’s true to an extent. (Is it lazy to say that people are lazy? Eh.) But that’s not always the case.
I think the truth lies somewhere in the idea of “everything that’s new is old is new again.” For example, a few of the “trends” in the above list can be found in Martin Sharp’s 1964 poster for Mr. Tambourine Man. Funky circles, sunrise rays, and flowing lines can all be found in there along with funky type, and repeating patterns.
Perhaps the issue is “instant access”? For many centuries, for a person to be an artist, they had to travel/move away to a specific town, or study under someone who possessed some esoteric knowledge of the arts or they had to be better of financially than the average person to afford their materials.
Today, almost EVERYONE has access to the tools and techniques to indulge every passing creative whimsy or fancy that enters their mind without consideration of the process involved with solving a specific creative problem.
For most, the creative problem is simply making something cool.
For real designers, the creative problem is much more complex and centered around communication.
By ptamaro (2 comments) on Sep 9, 2008 | Reply
Great post, I look forward to reading the rest of the series… Dugg!
ptamaro’s last blog post..Office Jargon v3.1
By Phillipe Calmet (3 comments) on Sep 9, 2008 | Reply
Well, i’ve used ink splatter in my website, because i think the logo looks good with them around…
It is true that some things are getting overused, but let’s face it: people still like them, and clients will still request them for their designs…
By Jacob from JobMob (8 comments) on Sep 9, 2008 | Reply
I also like flowing lines and colors but they’re so rarely done well. In fact, I’d say that if you think these are overused it’s because we’re seeing so many sites where these styles aren’t helping the overall aesthetic or function. If that’s the case, there’s A LOT of overuse out there. Can you say ‘web2.0 reflection’?
By Jacob Cass (634 comments) on Sep 9, 2008 | Reply
Drew,
I can agree with you on some parts but stock art is definitly not 100% to blame. There are many other considerations to include such as what some have mentioned below… lazyness, ease of access, client requests, etc.
It is also not what customers request… the job as a designer is to create what a client needs, not what a client wants.
Skulls and wings may be appearing in my other lists.
Nick,
Indeed, ease of access and lazyness (and time / money factors) are all key aspects of what is the “blame”.
James,
There are hundreds of original designs. A quick visit to http://designflavr.com will show you that.
Tom,
Only one week!
Jaswinder,
I would believe everyone is guilty of using stock art such as above in some way or another so no need to feel guilty.
Styletime,
That would be interesting to see.
Kristine,
Haha, never looked at your avatar that way… a bird doodie.
Jonathan,
I suppose ink spatters go into the grunge category however grunge is more of a style. It will come up in another post I assure you
Nate,
I do challenge you to find these elements in design from centuries ago.
Sean,
In some designs it can work well, much alike the others above and they all can work with different variations.
Beaulys,
Form or function, the great debate.
Dans,
One person does not create a trend, it takes many and I am sure clients would approve of new designs if you educated them. Do you agree?
OllieJ,
I also believe stock image is not to blame but it does make up a part of it. Ease of access is another cause I believe, and also because most of these elements are usually free. But I liked your statment:
Ptamaro,
Thank you for the digg.
Phillipe,
People may still like them, but are they getting sick of them? Clients usually do not request a certain effect in my experience… is that a common thing for you?
Jacob,
Yeah I can agree on that one about it rarely being done well however there are some excellent applications of that effect in numerous designs. Web 2.0 Reflection oooooh.
By Erika Nicole (3 comments) on Sep 9, 2008 | Reply
I whined a little bit when I saw the ink splatters - while I have yet to find a use for them on my own, I think they’re kinda hot.
I do want people to leave the ipod-esque silhouettes alone, though. LOL.
Erika Nicole’s last blog post..5 Steps To Running A Lean, Mean, Clean and Green Business
By Cristiano Giardina (1 comments) on Sep 9, 2008 | Reply
Hey there Jacob!
I really enjoyed this post!
I do agree with Erika, the ink splatters are by far the coolest design element. Even adding a few on the background of a default blogger template would make it look kinda hip.
Indeed, as you said, the hard part is not overdoing them
May I suggest you give us some examples of websites that do imply the elements you list? For some of them, sites came to mind immediately (e.g. pownce.com for the “funky circles”), but for others, I had never seen/noticed them.
Thanks!
By Mudassar Hussain (1 comments) on Sep 9, 2008 | Reply
I am very impress to see your design
God Bless You
By Beaulys (16 comments) on Sep 9, 2008 | Reply
Jacob you said to OllieJ “But I liked your statment:
For most, the creative problem is simply making something cool.
For real designers, the creative problem is much more complex and centered around communication.”
And you answered me : “Form or function, the great debate” when I talked about function !!
Making “something cool” isn’t form ? A “problem centered around communication” isn’t function ?
I don’t know if there is a “great debate”, you said it yourself : “We give clients what they need, not what they want”.
That’s what I wanted to say when I talked about the usefullness of those techniques
By Nathan Beck (13 comments) on Sep 9, 2008 | Reply
Yeah the most certainly are very common. Not just in print but in web design as well, tying in to the whole ‘web 2.0′ design trend.
But just like clothes and art, web and print design fashion goes through trends and movements. Even at this early stage in the internet’s life, it’s still obvious what’s popular at the moment.
Just like fashion - everyone and their dogs are wearing checkered shirts at the moment. Maybe it will be ink splats next season!
Nathan Beck’s last blog post..Increasing and maintaining blog traffic
By Keir Kettle (1 comments) on Sep 9, 2008 | Reply
Bugger! Only just learnt how to make the sunrays in photoshop….
By Jacob Cass (634 comments) on Sep 9, 2008 | Reply
Erika, Christiano
Well I did say none of these techniques are good or bad so don’t worry!
Christiano,
You do not have to travel very far to find those websites… just check out this post on website graphic design trends and you will find them all.
Mudassar,
Thank you.
Beaulys,
When I refer to the great debate, I refer to how some use form over function and how others use function over form. A quick google on either of those terms brings up hundreds of articles on the “debate”. But yes, we should give clients what they need, not what they want.
Nathan,
Web design and graphic design are so intertwined now. Check out this post about what designers should call them self. I found it an interesting read. And yeah checked shirts are everywhere (and I am guilty of charged too).
Keir,
It is a good skill to have Keir as they can enhance designs quite a bit, just use it appropriately.
By Esben Thomsen (4 comments) on Sep 9, 2008 | Reply
Hi Jacob,
Funny I think this is my first comment on your site
I do agree with you on all 7, although I don’t see ink splatters that often. Another one thats high on that list is “simple gradients”, which is everywhere.
Another reason why we see the things above, is that its sooo easy to make and at the same time vector graphics have had a boost the last year or so.
Esben Thomsen’s last blog post..Exercises to Cultivate Your Creativity
By Mali (6 comments) on Sep 9, 2008 | Reply
Its simple Create your own Brushes and styles. Get a sexy camera and get creating. Top post Jacob. I predict Displacement maps will be the next trend as that is the trend im going to set lol
By Mali (6 comments) on Sep 9, 2008 | Reply
Hey Jacob, got an idea (Bing!?) Lets set a competition for a new design trend? The winner gets a pair of slippers and a pipe
By Jacob Cass (634 comments) on Sep 9, 2008 | Reply
Esben,
Actually it is your second comment (it tells you after your name when you comment). Simple gradients are a great effect and really adds to a design when used right, much alike all elements.
Mali,
Go for gold! Don’t think you can start trends by yourself, it just happens over time!
By Ed Hall (1 comments) on Sep 9, 2008 | Reply
Not to be picky… but these are all examples of Graphic Illustration trends not really Graphic Design trends. It’s like when people use Font instead of Typeface.
Although I don’t see anything wrong with trends, these techniques have become more and more popular. This becomes even more difficult if you work at a agency or a design company. Clients like this stuff cause it’s “fresh” or “bright.”
One of my favorite though is the flowing lines, however overused it is, it’s a technique that will not always look the same due to what can be done with the lines.
By Esben Thomsen (4 comments) on Sep 9, 2008 | Reply
Of course it can be utilized as a great effect in the right hands
Personally Im sick and tired looking at it and Im glad the “blueish web 2.0″ craze is over.
Esben Thomsen’s last blog post..Exercises to Cultivate Your Creativity
By Jacob Cass (634 comments) on Sep 10, 2008 | Reply
Ed,
I could agree with you partly however not all of these elements are illustrations but I do agree with you about the flowing lines.
Esben,
Not completely over
By Jennifer (7 comments) on Sep 10, 2008 | Reply
Of all of these I think the floral thing is getting really boring now and it seems to be used on absolutely everything.
I really love grunge when it’s done well but I thought that might be on there too.
By Digital Medley (1 comments) on Sep 10, 2008 | Reply
What about shiny objects and bad reflections?! Unnecessary Gradients have definitely run their course too…
By Andrew Kelsall (28 comments) on Sep 10, 2008 | Reply
Hi Jacob,
Whilst I see your point about graphical, Illustrative and photographic imagery being used as trends in the design industry, but a many cases, is this a bad thing?
Just as fashion sells because of design trends, so does a great design. We as designers design for people — people who recognise design trends themselves and buy/look or relate to things they recognise.
I think it can be beneficial for designs to utilise a trend and introduce a new twist, just like many logo design trends out there at the moment.
To conclude, I don’t think it’s the imagery that is to blame for everything looking the same, rather the designers lack of creativity.
Andrew Kelsall’s last blog post..Logo Design for J Smith Marine Consultancy Ltd
By Stuart (2 comments) on Sep 10, 2008 | Reply
If you can find tons of tutorials on how to create a particular element — it is probably an overused elements.
By modemlooper (38 comments) on Sep 10, 2008 | Reply
I’m with first commenter. It’s all due to stock art. web developers use these sites because they lack the skills to pull off original art. I have used stock before but never exactly the original i got from the site. I always change it up.
add glossy buttons to this list..soooo over!
modemlooper’s last blog post..Send Free TXT From iPhone
By Dave Allen (1 comments) on Sep 10, 2008 | Reply
in the Eighties it was all grids and stupid triangles/shapes, I tried “swirls, flourishes” etc and it cost me a job, so it goes.
good post, funny too
By Free Apple Gear (1 comments) on Sep 10, 2008 | Reply
Cool stuff. I’ve used some of these styles in the past. They were mostly stock images that I thought worked well with my theme.
Free Apple Gear’s last blog post..Free Apple Gear! iPods, iPhone, Apple Tvs, Cash, and More!!
By styletime (10 comments) on Sep 10, 2008 | Reply
Glad your back and seem to be running super fast!!!!!1
styletime’s last blog post..Styletime contest launch! Donate a dollar for BlogActionDay and win some great prizes!
By Jin (6 comments) on Sep 10, 2008 | Reply
I believe as long as those elements are used appropriately, as in conveying the site’s theme or branding, then it’s OK. I think the over-usage happens when designers are simply following the trend of what looks “good,” and not putting too much thoughts into how it’d present the sites they’re designing. One good site design doesn’t mean it’d work for another site.
I recently wrote on this similar topic on my blog.
Jin’s last blog post..Presidential Design p2
By Michael Garmahis (2 comments) on Sep 10, 2008 | Reply
I would say it’s not overused elements but cheap tricks used by people with no imagination or creativity to make their works looks trendy and hide the lack of ideas.
Michael Garmahis’s last blog post..1000+ free icon sets
By Pete (10 comments) on Sep 10, 2008 | Reply
I work in the school book publishing field during the day. I don’t know where this fits into your scheme of things but I am so sick of beveled things and drop shadows. Although I use them myself I have done them for so long that I haven’t gotten really tired of them. Like everything else you said I guess there is a place for them and it is all a matter of how they are use.
Pete’s last blog post..Chadwick
By David Strader (1 comments) on Sep 10, 2008 | Reply
I have to agree with you on these! You could even add in Grunge to this as well!
By James (3 comments) on Sep 10, 2008 | Reply
I wanna see someone pull all of these lame-ass design fads into one be-all, end-all piece of crap tribute to lame-ass design fads.
By Jesse (4 comments) on Sep 10, 2008 | Reply
I totally agree, even though I have slight sun rays in my blog header…but its not framed in a cliched way. Gotta site a couple you missed though, all things 2.0 (its easy to do so I don’t hate it, but sooo played out), and the new craze of laying purple and yellow haze overlays on top of the swirly clusterfuck designs we keep seeing. Glad to see someone calling these elements out though. I would love to see something legitimately new pop-up. Love the blog.
By pbhj (1 comments) on Sep 10, 2008 | Reply
I don’t think anyone has mentioned that apart from the smoke (I think) they are all vector designs - giving a crisp, hi-fidelity look with lower bandwidth.
That for me is the thing with the “ibodies”. They give a human dimension without details that gives a small file size. It’s also quite nice from a “diversity” point of view as people can mentally project themselves on to the outline easily without being put off by dissimilarities like skin/hair colour or facial features.
pbhj’s last blog post..KDE4 built-in screencast for desktop recording
By Ryder Goodwin (1 comments) on Sep 10, 2008 | Reply
Those are all still powerful graphical elements that shouldn’t be discounted because of their popularity. They can all still be used in great designs if used effectively, and not in the cookie-cutter ways they are presented in this article. I totally agree that the main culprit in cliche-ing these styles are the cheap stock houses. But what can you do.
By David (10 comments) on Sep 10, 2008 | Reply
‘Every Day’ by Silveryn,a popular artist formerly on Deviantart. That particular piece (from around 2002) pre-dates just about every other silhouette stylized pic out there,even the Apple ads i’d say.
That and variations of that piece were much copied at the time,and continue to be,as you’ve noted.
By Jacob Cass (634 comments) on Sep 10, 2008 | Reply
Jennifer,
I still am a fan of the floral thing actually but it is used everywhere.
Digital Medley,
I still have some upcoming posts too!
They have their place
Andrew,
No, it is not a bad thing in all cases and yes trends are there for a reason. I think there are a number of reasons for so many designs looking the same as found in the other comments.
Ryan,
People use stock because it easily available and clients do not know better which in turn saves designers time and money… just another reason.
Dave,
Gotta love the eighties, they just won’t go away!
Styletime,
Some pages are still quite slow but while we were on the very front page of digg the site was down.
Jin,
Have you got the link to the post?
Michael,
Another possible reason.
Pete,
Hmm beveled and drop shadows seem a bit dated in my opinion now but they will always be around, as they can support many designs. And yes, there is a place for them and it is a matter of how they are used.
David,
Grunge I left out because I thought it was more a style thing.
James,
Someone on digg did put together a little piece of all of these designs combined. It has vulgar language just for a warning:
http://img293.imageshack.us/my.....orklo9.jpg
Jesse,
I find the site http://designflavr.com to have some awesome non cliché designs.
Pbhj,
Ink splatters are not always vector, nor smoke effects but you are correct in your observation.
Ryder,
As I did disclaim, I wasn’t stating that these effects are good or bad. I used the cookie-cutter images from a stock site so as not to disclaim other peoples work that used these elements.
David,
I wouldn’t say that the black silhouette is a completely new idea, it has been around for many, many years.
By Marnie B (11 comments) on Sep 10, 2008 | Reply
I really enjoyed this post, simply because it’s a compact way to look at all of the trends going around.
I think stock and brushes, etc definitely play a huge role in why these are overused, but it’s also because of trends. There’s trends in every industry - fashion, web design, advertising, etc. It’s the same here. 1 person starts something, a million others follow!
By Roe (2 comments) on Sep 10, 2008 | Reply
Hi Jacob!
I agree to you that this are the most frequently used in graphic designs. I think designers use this because its in the trend right now and it attracts graphic enthusiast like me.
Roe’s last blog post..Top 10 Graphic Design Site
By Jess Hindmarsh (3 comments) on Sep 10, 2008 | Reply
Far out. I wish you’d posted the Logo one first. I’m doing logos this week and by the time you get around to posting the article about them I’ll be all done! When I read the article hopefully it wont leave me banging my head against the desk. Grr to you!
By Leo (2 comments) on Sep 10, 2008 | Reply
Awesome! I recognize all the designs, except for the smoke one!
Leo’s last blog post..Health Tip #81: Soak dried beans over the night instead of cooking canned beans
By Jason Slater (4 comments) on Sep 10, 2008 | Reply
Eek, I recently added 1 and 2 to my new Bev and Catey cartoon (www.bevandcatey.com) and I also nearly put number 6 in there too!
Sometimes it can be easy to fall into using (or over using) design elements that are familiar even though at the time it doesn’t necessarily feel that way - especially when your background is not in design. The flexibility of simple geometry for decoration such as the lines, circles and swirls (as well as the silhouettes idea) described above probably make them easy candidates for over-use.
I would also add gradients to the list - now they really are everywhere! It would be useful to see one or two original alternatives included.
I am looking forward to this new series Jacob so good luck with it.
Jason Slater’s last blog post..Server Room: Assembling the Rack components part 3
By Jin (6 comments) on Sep 11, 2008 | Reply
Jacob, here’s a link to my article:
http://www.8164.org/conformity/
I’d love to hear your and others’ thoughts on it.
Jin’s last blog post..PS Tut: MiniHendrix
By Bill Biwer (6 comments) on Sep 11, 2008 | Reply
Good post. I agree that many of those elements are overused incorrectly. Can’t wait for the rest of the series.
For logo cliches the “swoosh” better be on that list.
By Adam (11 comments) on Sep 11, 2008 | Reply
If they weren’t overused my eyes would hurt.
By Adam (11 comments) on Sep 11, 2008 | Reply
Something to ask oneself is that as these all appear to be trendy designs, in the end, what was the goal in the first place?
My answer is that the goal is to portray/reveal/display information. Also, there are clients to appeal to that have ideas and desires based upon what they’ve seen, oh…and deadlines.
There’s an old saying, “There’s nothing new under the sun.” And graphic design is a saturated market. Someone in need of a designer is going to look for who can get done what they want at the right price.
If you want to create original artwork, create art for yourself - paint, collage, sculpt - whatever. But design just has too many elements going on to ever be “original.”
And where do you draw the line at original? Are you creating your own fonts? Taking your own photos? Design includes deadlines and budgets - not entirely conducive to “originality.”
Of course there absolutely are some that have bucked the trend and forged their own paths - David Carson, Stefan Sagmeister, Milton Glaser, to name a few - and they are great examples in the design world. But every industry has its leaders and its followers. It’s just the way it is. At the end of the day, what are you trying to do with design? Change the world? Or pay the mortgage?
By Shawn (3 comments) on Sep 11, 2008 | Reply
I’m gonna have to agree that the skulls, wings and heraldry crests are becoming a bit visually overbearing now. They’re everywhere!! I’m officially making my own clothes to create designs that (though they are sometimes attractive) do NOT contain any of the previously mentioned elements!
By Andy Bright (1 comments) on Sep 11, 2008 | Reply
I don’t think that there is anything here that’s actually 2008 specific.
If there is one trend that you really miss and that actually has come to a head in 2008 it’s the use of ultra weight typefaces with filled in counters and an optional rainbow gradient overlay.
By Jason (6 comments) on Sep 11, 2008 | Reply
Trends are trends because they come and then go. These are hot right now because people respond to them, just look at the graphic tees that people are buying and wearing. Some of these will certainly die, hopefully sooner than later, but they’ll be replaced by something else. Staying up with the trends make happy clients, and happy clients make successful businesses. I’m going through the, “my website isn’t shiny and 2.0ish enough” right now with a client. Deliver what they want, and in a couple years from now I’ll redo it because they’ll want something else.
By Nesta (1 comments) on Sep 11, 2008 | Reply
Right on Jacob, nice post.
Though I’ve got to note the irony considering your ‘Smooth’ cd-case design: you’ve used rays, flowing lines and swirls all together hehe.
By James Kurtz III (10 comments) on Sep 11, 2008 | Reply
I agree! So many designs use these elements, and often needlessly. Unfortunately they look so cool! (when executed well).
By Pepe (1 comments) on Sep 11, 2008 | Reply
They are missing FIRE not only smoke but fire I see it everywhere.
I decided to use video in my website, and yes I used some of these techniques and elements a while ago. Now 3D became trendy…
By Chelsey (1 comments) on Sep 11, 2008 | Reply
I think you are absolutely right— I would add city skylines too, though!
By Simon (5 comments) on Sep 11, 2008 | Reply
See this blog that I did as a sort of extension and follow up to this as I thought it was a little short…but still a great topic - I would like to see a poll down of what people think the next trends are going to be too.
Simon’s last blog post..Design Inspiration | top 12 most overused techniques & elements used in graphic design - Extended
By LaurenMarie - Creative Curio (91 comments) on Sep 11, 2008 | Reply
Overused? Yes, probably. But if it works, does it matter? Though I wouldn’t mind seeing the end of the mysterious “silhouettes.” I haven’t noticed the smoke being used all that often.
@OllieJ - great point. You would enjoy this article, written by Massimo Vignelli. Designer, or information architect?
Esben you silly, using CC for your back link! Well, I guess you contribute enough
LaurenMarie - Creative Curio’s last blog post..Enhance Your Designs with the Principle of Emphasis
By Jacob Cass (634 comments) on Sep 11, 2008 | Reply
Marnie, Roe, Leo, Bill.
It is always interesting to note down trends in writing rather than it just being there.
Jess Hindmarsh,
Sorry about that! Guess you will just have to wait 5 weeks and hope for the best but I am sure you have a good job none the less… just make sure it is original.
Jason,
Ah some interesting cartoons you have there, good work. I didn’t recognise 1 or 2 however in your comic? Simple geometry will always be in design however it is interesting to notice the trends, especially in writing.
Jin,
Read your article, it was great, I left a large comment on the article also.
Adam,
There are many considerations and reasons behind these trendy designs as many have outlined in the comments. And yes, it is a hard question to answer regarding where to draw the line of original, I don’t believe there is an answer. And yes most commissioned design is restricted to deadlines and budgets.
Shawn,
Some of those you mentioned are coming up in another post.
Andy,
Not 100% but it is the year 2008 and these are the most prevalent elements of this year.
Jason.
I have actually just come by Design By Humans which has some rad T-shirts, all original. I even am trying them out as an affiliate.
Nesta,
Yeah, many designs employ these effects hence why the article is called what it is called! I think I have also managed to use funky-circles in the background of my digital cd cover.
Pepe, Chelsey
I haven’t really noticed the fire or city skyline myself but thanks for your feedback.
Simon,
Thanks for your link and follow up to the article. Here is the link for people that missed it:
http://simoncpage.co.uk/blog/2.....-extended/
By Mark (9 comments) on Sep 12, 2008 | Reply
What’s wrong with making what people like? If a client likes swirls, I make them. I refuse to using flashing animated .gif’s though
The color blue is overused too, shouldn’t we use that anymore?
Overused, maybe, but I wouldn’t ban the techniques..
By Jonathan (14 comments) on Sep 12, 2008 | Reply
Mark: I think Jacob said it best—”the job as a designer is to create what a client needs, not what a client wants”—sometimes the right thing to do is to tell a client (tactfully) that they’re wrong. They’ve hired you for your ability to solve their problem, to increase sales, or for some other goal. By pandering to them a technique or element that they happen to have seen somewhere recently and liked, if it doesn’t fit with what’s needed, then I think that’s a betrayal of the years you’ve spent at school learning graphic design and how to solve creative problems.
By OllieJ (2 comments) on Sep 12, 2008 | Reply
”the job as a designer is to create what a client needs, not what a client wants”
While I agree with the idea/intent behind the statement, I disagree with how it’s phrased.
Our job is to synthesize the client’s needs and wants into the most successful design possible as efficiently as possible, and our goal is to help the client want everything they need.
By Jonathan (14 comments) on Sep 12, 2008 | Reply
Aha, that’s actually a very interesting way of phrasing it OllieJ…
By Asis (1 comments) on Sep 12, 2008 | Reply
jajaja cierto, en todas partes siempre esta eso
Asis’s last blog post..
By Paulo Cholla (1 comments) on Sep 12, 2008 | Reply
the most important thing is that the designer must know why s/he´s using that.
the designer shouldn´t try to reinvent the wheel everyday, he must find the best solution for each job and client.
By Maria (4 comments) on Sep 12, 2008 | Reply
I’m guilty of using the swirls and splatter on my site. Even though the splatter is a close up of an airbrush piece I did - my latest site is too trendy and I’m ready to redo it.
Thing is.. it’s been getting me a ton of work - so what to do? It’s trendy, agreed, but it’s working.
I LOVE negative space, its probably my favorite style of design. But to a non-designer it probably seems boring, simplistic, and perhaps may appear that not a lot of thought went into it. Which, may also be true..
Anyhow - I love your posts, and that you have no problem saying what needs to be said. You’d probably make a really great instructor (once you finish school, of course).
Thank you for the great information, as always.
By David (10 comments) on Sep 12, 2008 | Reply
Yes,i would say the idea has been around for many years,but it didn’t really start taking such a stylized foothold again until that piece i mentioned and several others from the same artist. Most made the front page (or “popular” section) of Deviantart at the time.
After his work came out,in particular a piece called ‘Change of Seasons’ in 2003,there was an explosion of copycats.
By Jacob Cass (634 comments) on Sep 12, 2008 | Reply
OllieJ,
In regards to your rephrase:
I suppose helping the client ‘want’ everything they need comes down to educating and communicating with the client.
When you mention most successful design possible, wouldn’t you be trying to achieve that in the first place?
Maria,
Glad the style is working for you at the moment, keep it up!
David,
Thanks for the clarification.
By Anthony (3 comments) on Sep 12, 2008 | Reply
Nice post. You see these graphic in cheesy commercial business ads. no more orginality
By Shaun (1 comments) on Sep 13, 2008 | Reply
“Flowing Lines” is a bit vague for such a pointed list. Would have been better making this s top 6 list.
By Joeri (1 comments) on Sep 13, 2008 | Reply
i’ve got one: text balloons…
By Jonathan (14 comments) on Sep 15, 2008 | Reply
I just came across this site today:
http://iso50.com/iso50.html
Scott’s print portfolio uses many of the techniques above (sunrays, flowing lines, silhouettes, funky circles, ornaments) — all applied beautifully - showing that it’s perfectly possible to use these elements without looking gimmicky or copycat-like.
By Jacob Cass (634 comments) on Sep 15, 2008 | Reply
Thanks Jonathan, yeah Scott has some inspiring work and yes it does show you can use these effects and still be original.
By Jamie Le Souef (4 comments) on Sep 17, 2008 | Reply
I would add grudge to that list! Definitely an emerging overused design element.
Jamie Le Souef’s last blog post..Tip : Backing up a large MySQL Database (errno: 24)
By Matt Ginsberg (2 comments) on Sep 18, 2008 | Reply
True. However, dont you think everything is over used? There is not much new things out there. Everywere you turn you see the same things just with a different style attached to it. Great article.
I dont think I have ever used anything you mentioned, ok maybe the smoke whne I first started designing. You just have to love EyeCandy for Photoshop back in the day with the Fire and Smoke plugins. GREAT STUFF! (chuckles)
By Joomla Developer (1 comments) on Sep 18, 2008 | Reply
I don’t know if these are overused, just popular at the moment. If this article was written 2 years ago it would have included reflections, gradients and glossy buttons.
By Mike Piasecki (1 comments) on Sep 19, 2008 | Reply
Over used? maybe.
Been around a while? Oh heck yes. We’ve all been seeing these around for the last decade or so. The only difference now is that they made their way into nearly every freakin’ website around.
Hopefully it will get people to pay more attention to print advertising. If that where the case this blog entry would have been published five years ago.
By Erik (2 comments) on Sep 20, 2008 | Reply
Great article, I am personally so tried of see flourishes and the circles. In a past job I was a designer for a sportswear company and I got so tried of requests for those two elements. I can’t wait to read the rest of this series.
Erik’s last blog post..Designing for SEO
By Linora (1 comments) on Sep 22, 2008 | Reply
Lol, yeah i agree with the ray of lights, ink splatters and the floral designs… i personally like the last two hehe
Linora’s last blog post..Compaq City
By mel (4 comments) on Sep 23, 2008 | Reply
Oh dear, I’m guilty of a lot of these in my brush designs. However, though I’m aware that many of these have been done to death - it’s still what my clients and blog visitors clamor for. The download stats prove it. I think the general non designing public are slower to pick up on design trends. And so that’s what they request, until we offer something new. People are scared of change. And It’s all too easy to be ‘influenced’ when we are saturated by wading through graphic design blog posts!
mel’s last blog post..First day of Autumn - 5 autumn brush resources
By Toni (9 comments) on Sep 26, 2008 | Reply
Good point. Uniqueness is a high priority for design compositions. Great posting !
Cheers
By Roxanne (1 comments) on Sep 26, 2008 | Reply
Oh so true! I think it has a lot to do with the whole “web 2.0″ look, which I think people forget what it all really means and NO PEOPLE ITS NOT ALL ABOUT REFLECTIONS AND PRETTY LAYOUTS!
Another over the top and used trend I’ve been seeing all over for the past year…CLEAN layouts. Not like this site, I mean the plain colored header that stretches to fit the screen with normal font for the title and then the content on a white BG with no type of style what-so-ever.
I’m starting to doubt the new generation of “designers” out there…
By Jacob Cass (634 comments) on Sep 26, 2008 | Reply
Thank you everyone for your feedback and opinions, keep them coming.
By Hamish (1 comments) on Sep 26, 2008 | Reply
I blame Illustrator’s ‘trace’ tool for the silhouettes, and possibly the flourishes too.
I work in-house for a company, but they quite often out-source stuff… most of which recently has come back with 2 or 3 of these elements
I try to be a bit more original myself, but then I get asked to do more stuff like the out-sourced stuff.
By faryl (4 comments) on Sep 30, 2008 | Reply
Love it! Thanks, Jacob! Short on time - so apologies in advance if I’m repeating previous comments . . .
For whatever reasons, the whole grunge look just turns me off - so most of the elements you’ve included are ones that I tend to shy away from.
Aside from just not appreciating their aesthetic value, I also think that they’re a great way to make a design look dated in a year or two. Fine for designers/developers/bloggers who frequently update their websites - but not as cool for clients who may be looking to establish a long term branding look/feel.
Looking forward to the rest of your series.
Best,
Fazza
By manau (8 comments) on Sep 30, 2008 | Reply
great post !
thanx
By Sketchee (9 comments) on Oct 1, 2008 | Reply
okay so I use all of them but the smoke!
By S.C. (1 comments) on Oct 1, 2008 | Reply
i hate some of fave ideas are already overused before i got the chance to use them!
you can also add the pinkish-gray or grayish-pink color as a web accent i see it everywhere, including on this site…
By Daniel (6 comments) on Oct 2, 2008 | Reply
agree agree agree
But since we’re blaming, I want to add another party to the blame list
Smashing Magazine, and the likes of…
These sites perpetuate trendy style. Nothing makes me thing of “style=fart” more than the rainbow hues and swirls in an emetic collage.
That said, there are times when any of these elements warrant use, most examples I see only show deficiency in originality or creativity.
By Chris (12 comments) on Oct 3, 2008 | Reply
You forgot about XP/Vista gradient bars. And gradient buttons. Those make me sick.
By gautam (1 comments) on Oct 30, 2008 | Reply
hi,
i just wanna know dat where should i get these kinds of elements or effects used in graphics nowdays.send me any link. thanxxxx
By Jacob Cass (634 comments) on Oct 30, 2008 | Reply
Hi Gautam,
Try on stock sites, deviant art or even google.