2026 DESIGN TRENDS
While Pantone went for a warm white for their Colour of the Year, other industry trendsetters were bolder in their picks of hues to reflect a global trend towards colours that evoke “healing, stability and quiet luxury”.
From earthy terracotta to vibrant teal, we’ve taken a look at global leaders Pantone, WGSN and Coloro, and Dulux to see what they chose for 2026’s top colours and why.
RETRO FUTURISM
Think 50s sci-fi with an 80s aesthetic and next-gen glow
It’s mid-century, sci-fi nostalgia but with a shiny, futuristic feel to create a feeling of optimism. Futuristic ideas with a touch of analogue. AI meets human, also called Hybrid Intelligence.
Envato say searches for 80s-inspired content on their site have risen by over 80% from September to November 2025. “Think chrome textures, sci-fi typography, and color palettes that blend cosmic neons with soft pastels. It’s nostalgia re-engineered for the algorithm age.”
Unexpected packaging: Heinz mayonnaise in a spray can and Engine gin in motor oil cans.
CHAOS PACKAGING
Maximalist | Energetic | Bold
This busy, controlled chaos style is a pushback to the polished packaging styles we’ve been seeing for some time. Consumers want to see more personality that speaks of a person behind the design instead of a machine. Think bold fonts, multiple layers, be playful, verge on the risky.
Chaos packaging isn’t entirely new, but the coming trend takes it to a new level with a busier look and plenty of surprises. We’ll be seeing more products packaged in unexpected containers, more hand drawn images, and more fun.
A word of caution, though, from Tey Bannerman, head of UK’s McKinsey Design, for a style that comes with a challenge: “Consumers appreciate humour and surprise, but they also rely on packaging to guide their decisions quickly and safely. Chaos packaging needs to disrupt the norm without undermining trust or usability. Striking that balance is what separates the memorable from the misguided.”
IMAGE: Offscreen Magazine
POSTER AND MAGAZINE LAYOUTS
Tactile | Familiar | Quietly luxurious
Grid layouts that look like posters or magazine layouts are already winning awards. It’s part of the trend towards familiar, natural media we can touch. Across the world, people are engaging in ways that make them feel connected to the earth and each other.
For digital media, these layouts are often interactive and surprising using techniques such as link images that feel random but move when you hover and are actually carefully laid out so the whole effect is different, dynamic, and the designer behind it shines through.
This trend is an opportunity to use print’s tactile qualities and layouts across your marketing products. After all, nothing touches like print.
“Among all graphic design trends 2026, this one reminds us that design work doesn’t always have to follow a straight path. Sometimes discovery and surprise are what make an experience memorable.” Really Good Designs
IMAGE: General Design Studio
DOODLES AND CARTOONS
Hand drawn | Playful | Dynamic
Authenticity is still big news in 2026 so express your brand’s personality in neat hand drawn illustrations or carefully executed ones that look like doodles. They feel unique and approachable and can look wonderfully surprising on polished or familiar packaging.
You can take this trend further by imitating comic book styles and fun graphics. Adding a touch of humour can boost product appeal, especially if your market can discover it in a hidden way.
Think fun, original, whimsical, and raw energy.
IMAGE: Awwards
BOLD MINIMALISM
Monochromes | Attention grabbing | Edgy
Minimalism is still around but with a new take. Colours are all-out bold in retro neons or soft pastels. If you’re going with a monochrome palette, go all out with it in a minimalist layout but maximalist colour.
Clean sans-serifs fonts with few words are going to trend in 2026 by allowing the words to carry the design with clarity that projects confidence. Using a classic look doesn’t have to be outdated, though. This trend includes playing around with letter and line spacing along with space to push some boundaries.
Deeper hues are popular even in neutral colours. Deep chocolate or sage are some of the softer looks being used to create dynamic designs that evoke calmness while also giving a prestige look. It’s a continuation of the Quiet Luxury aesthetic but with more warmth.
2026 Graphic design is about mixing it up, real-person design and daring to let your imagination loose, especially in how you use AI tools and looks. Over half of Adobe’s 2024 “Creativity in the Age of AI” respondents said they’re consciously seeking out more human visual elements to balance digital fatigue. This balance is a continuing trend as creative industries learn how to use AI and still create a personal connection.
MORE TRENDS
IMAGE: Awwards
Nothing touches like print.
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