TOP TRENDS FOR

Luxury Design in 2024

Words by Grace van M
Last Updated on 11.08.23

TOP TRENDS FOR

Luxury Design in 2024

Words by Grace van M
Last Updated on 11.08.23

Refined Maximalism

Words by Grace van M
Last Updated on 11.08.23

The Studio van M team pored over our collective visual language online, on the runway, in print, in our homes, and on shelves in 2023 to identify common threads between trends across multiple design disciplines.

I am using the word “trend” lightly, not meaning that these looks are “out” or “in”, rather constantly revolving and pulsing through our zeitgeist and especially of the moment right now. We—as people, brands, and designers—rarely find ourselves squarely in one trend category, rather moving from one to another with a through line that is ultimately one’s own core style. Allowing ourselves to be curious, experimental, and embrace trends is what helps us stay current, connect with our audiences, and ultimately evolve.

Waves

Waves, scallops, and fluting have been rising in popularity over the past few years, and we have not yet reached the peak of this trend.

We’re seeing the ripple effect of waves in interiors with regular sightings of the iconic Ultrafragola mirror from 1970 pop up on our social feeds, and new designs like Sarah Sheman Samuel’s wavy furniture line, and several styles of kinney block tiles.

In graphics, waves are incorporated in packaging and identities across all industries from tech, beauty, food and beverage, and non-profits. The styling ranges from even geometric waves to loopy organic swashes. In more subtle instances, waves are used decoratively as dynamic underline links, bubbly buttons, and funky frames in editorial layouts.

Somewhere safely between graphic and organic, when used intentionally wavy silhouettes and styling will never be dated or obsolete. After all, waves are as natural as the tides in the ocean and the rise and fall of our breath.

Funky Shapes

Irregular shapes and amorphous blobs have been settling in across furniture, housewares, fashion, and graphic design for the past couple of years.

The popularity of these silhouettes skyrocketed during the pandemic as consumers looked to add some whimsy and friendliness to their homes. The softness of blobjects is apparent, from the serene glow of Articolo’s sculptural Ovolo collection, to the chic freeform aesthetic of Hannah Polskin, to the ease of the 1948 Eames La Chaise. In every instance, there is an inherent comfort that comes along with this style.

While blobjects aren’t going anywhere in interior and furniture design, blobs may be past their peak in graphic design. Designers are still having fun with blobs in playful print die cuts, packaging, branding, and typography, but we’re noticing the shapes shifting towards more structured (but still funky!) forms. Irregular shapes are being used as frames in web design, and stacked geometric shapes are showing up on food packaging and identity design.

Of course, abstract shapes are nothing new in design, but I’m pleased to see print and packaging design moving past basic rectangular shapes. In the coming year, I’m anticipating seeing more fluid and layouts in web design as the rigidity of web design gets more and more flexible—and funky (in a good way).

Aura Gradients

Some trends come and go, but gradients are forever.

We’ve been seeing gradients since the first Apple website in 1996, and noticed a huge shift in 2016 with Spotify’s colorful rebrand and Instagram’s introduction of the aura gradient. In 2019, Adobe released the Freeform Gradient tool, which has made the flowy color blends ubiquitous in graphic design.

Beyond technological advancements, this look has taken off because although although abstract and ambiguous—the gradient is something we can understand. Both fleeting and persistent, the flex of colors fit the bill for packaging design, book covers, podcast artwork, card games, credit cards, beverages…you get the idea. They are everywhere, and they are not going anywhere.

Although gradients have equal power to date a design as they do to propel it forward, I’m predicting that aura gradients specifically have longevity due to their vibrant and soothing aesthetic. The simple beauty of the gradient will stand the test of time because it can stand on its own in the form of fine art and free desktop wallpaper alike.

Liquid Silver

The popularity of silver is constantly rising and falling, but we cannot help but notice the liquid silver trend emerging.

Silver has made a splash as one of 2023’s biggest fashion trends, both on the runway and off. The resurgence of silver in fashion and interior design may be an ode to Y2K style, crowds mirroring Beyoncé’s joy, or simply a newfound appreciation for the timeless material. Aside from the general spike in material use, we’re specifically seeing a Dali-esque melting in forms from Kelly Wearstler’s droopy disco balls to Hannah Jewett’s Mutant Cloud earrings.

Somewhere between nostalgic and futuristic, the psychedelic chrometype trend has taken off, with the 2019 rebrand of &Walsh leading the charge. Graphic designers can easily create similar looks with display fonts and ready-made assets, which makes me think it’s going to continue to ramp up before it dies down.

While I would steer clear of this look for core branding unless used very intentionally, it’s an interesting technique to use sparingly for a shiny accent. For a more timeless look, silver accents can be used in print with foil and metallic paper stocks. Either way, it’s a fun look to try on as it is both playful and polished—two adjectives that every brand can embrace every once in a while.

Brutalism is back with a new flavor in both graphic and interior design.

Brutalism is characterized by raw materials and bold geometric forms in both architecture and website design. The traditional brutalist aesthetic favors the barebones aesthetic of bare concrete and unstyled html in web design. Large text on websites pays homage to the hulking presence of brutalist buildings and exposed grids emphasize the value of utility.

We’re seeing parallel trends rooted in Brutalim rise in both web design and interior design. NeuBrutalism in web design maximizes readability by using structure and space around elements, while utilizing bold colors, sharp lines, and geometric shapes to create a functional and memorable look. Organic Brutalism in interior design honors the same brutalist approach to raw materials, but with a new warmth and coziness. In both instances, we’re seeing more personality within the same strong structures and emphasis on functionality from the traditional style.

When pairing these parallel Brutalist movements, we see an apparent overlap with a style that we believe has staying power because of the emphasis on accessibility. Current interpretations of Brutalism take all of the strongest elements to create an aesthetic that is stable and concise, but with warm personality.

Refined Maximalism

The pendulum is swinging after a saturation of minimalism in the 2010’s, and we’re seeing layers of styles, mixed typography, and audacious color across every industry.

Photo collage has specifically taken off in the past year thanks to the new ease of cutting an image out with a single touch, and entire social platforms made for collage. Designers no longer need to speak fluent html and css to mix type styles on websites thanks to advancements in frontend builders like Squarespace and Elementor.

As eager as some seem to embrace everything all at once, we’re proponents of dipping your toes into moments of quirk before going all in. Refined Maximalism is all about doing wild things, but with restraint. In graphic design, the key is to strike that balance—there’s an art to controlled extravagance.

Squarespace Ad

Graphic designers can look to interior designers who have long celebrated the refined maximalist style. The nature of mixing styles is a hallmark of strong designs that are storied, polished, and made to be lived in. Even a sleek, modern home can look cozy with tasteful furniture pairings and mixing modern and vintage.

Patagonia Ad

Across all disciplines, refined maximalism lets a guard down and embraces a playful, energetic, and pleasantly approachable style—which will never go out of style.

In Conclusion

From sleek and shiny to soft and silky, the trends of 2023 reached red carpets, grocery stores, and Studio van M.

Confining ourselves to a singular trend category would eliminate the power of our personal style. Instead, understanding and navigating through various trends, all while maintaining a consistent core style is what defines us. Embracing curiosity, experimentation, and the adoption of trends is what keeps us current, fosters connections with our audiences, and drives our ongoing evolution.

TOP TRENDS FOR

Luxury Design in 2024

TOP TRENDS FOR

Luxury Design in 2024

WAVES

Funky Shapes

Aura Gradients

Liquid Silver

Brutalist revival

Refined Maximalism

The Studio van M team pored over our collective visual language online, on the runway, in print, in our homes, and on shelves in 2023 to identify common threads between trends across multiple design disciplines.

Waves

Waves, scallops, and fluting have been rising in popularity over the past few years, and we have not yet reached the peak of this trend.

Funky Shapes

Irregular shapes and amorphous blobs have been settling in across furniture, housewares, fashion, and graphic design for the past couple of years.

Aura Gradients

Some trends come and go, but gradients are forever.

Liquid Silver

The popularity of silver is constantly rising and falling, but we cannot help but notice the liquid silver trend emerging.

Brutalism Revival

Brutalism is back with a new flavor in both graphic and interior design.

Refined Maximalism

The pendulum is swinging after a saturation of minimalism in the 2010’s, and we’re seeing layers of styles, mixed typography, and audacious color across every industry.

In Conclusion

From sleek and shiny to soft and silky, the trends of 2023 reached red carpets, grocery stores, and Studio van M.

Have a project in mind?

Company

Contact

TOP TRENDS FOR

Luxury Design in 2024

TOP TRENDS FOR

Luxury Design in 2024

WAVES

Funky Shapes

Aura Gradients

Liquid Silver

Brutalist revival

Refined Maximalism

The Studio van M team pored over our collective visual language online, on the runway, in print, in our homes, and on shelves in 2023 to identify common threads between trends across multiple design disciplines.

Waves

Waves, scallops, and fluting have been rising in popularity over the past few years, and we have not yet reached the peak of this trend.

Funky Shapes

Irregular shapes and amorphous blobs have been settling in across furniture, housewares, fashion, and graphic design for the past couple of years.

Aura Gradients

Some trends come and go, but gradients are forever.

Liquid Silver

The popularity of silver is constantly rising and falling, but we cannot help but notice the liquid silver trend emerging.

Brutalism Revival

Brutalism is back with a new flavor in both graphic and interior design.

Refined Maximalism

The pendulum is swinging after a saturation of minimalism in the 2010’s, and we’re seeing layers of styles, mixed typography, and audacious color across every industry.

In Conclusion

From sleek and shiny to soft and silky, the trends of 2023 reached red carpets, grocery stores, and Studio van M.

Have a project in mind?

Company

Contact

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