Just like anything else, graphic design trends are constantly evolving. The trends that were thriving in the 80’s are probably not the same trends that you see used in the graphic design world today. Certain trends become outdated, and it’s a graphic designer’s job to stay up-to-date with current trends and provide guidance to individuals and businesses looking for logo design.
In this article, we take a look at a few graphic design trends, which might have been popular a while ago but are now considered graphic design “no-no’s”. Keep in mind that these are simply guidelines and not rules, meaning that there can be exceptions to these guidelines. For example, if you are creating a logo to portray an 80’s feel, then using a trend from the 80’s might be the way to go. With that in mind, continue reading to learn about a few outdated graphic design trends we’ve noticed in logo design.
1. Using a Stroke on Text
A stroke is a line which outlines an object, usually a letter, and can be made various point sizes to increase the thickness. This was an extremely popular graphic design trend a while ago which designers today should be cautious when using. You might even notice a stroke being used around the text that appears in the openings of old movies, such as Steven Speilberg’s Poltergeist (1982).
2. Using a Drop Shadow
A drop shadow is an effect used by graphic designers to make an object look as though it has a shadow. Many designers have used a drop shadow on text to add a little something extra to it or to help the text stand out against a background. In some cases, a slight drop shadow can help improve readability. However, more often than not, a drop shadow just adds clutter, especially when applying to smaller text. If readability is your concern, there are many other design strategies that can accomplish your goal without using a drop shadow. For example, you could try switching out the background image for a simpler image, adding a transparent white box behind your text, or changing the boldness of the text. A subtle drop shadow can be beneficial at times, but remember that a drop shadow, like many other design elements, should only be added if there is a reason for it. As a rule of thumb, as you are creating a design, as yourself this question: Am I adding this element because there is a need for it or am I adding this because I think it makes the design more interesting?
3. Bevel and Emboss
Bevel and emboss is an effect that can be applied to an object or text using photoshop to give it a 3-dimensional look. Using bevel and emboss might make your design look dated, as this graphic design trend has become less popular over the years. This is a clear give away sign of an amateur graphic designer.
4. Certain Fonts
When designing, there are so many fonts to choose from. You are not limited to the fonts that come preloaded in your Adobe suite. However, because certain fonts are more readily available to the public, designers often make the mistake of going with a too commonly used font. These particular fonts, which were once very popular in design, designers now stray away from. This includes Papyrus, Comic Sans MS, Times New Roman, Bradley Hand, and more.
5. Too Much Detail
If you look at the evolution of company logos, you’ll notice that they tend to simplify over the years. As a culture, we’ve moved more towards minimalism. When you are designing a logo, keep this rule in mind: You should be able to shrink your logo to the size of a thumbnail and it still be recognizable. A perfect example of this is the apple logo. If too much detail is included in your logo, the detail will get lost when it is shrunk down. Instead, keep it simple and clean.