One question that every graphic designer confronts in his career is: Should he or she follow design trends or start his own?

When we create designs, we have several alternatives to explore from. We can either use our own aesthetics to conjure up a design or incorporate a currently existing design trend into our work.

But what difference does it make between using design trends and following our design sense? This is the crux of today’s post where I try to differentiate between the various effects of graphic design style.

Following Design Trends


Reflects consumer preferences

Design trends are preferences in the marketplace that reflect the taste and liking of consumers. By following design trends, you are sticking to the designs that are popular at the current point in time. But this is where one problem arrives…a certain trend may be in style now, but may lose its acceptance in the future.

Misses out innovation

Although you may find trends to be popular, they are likely to cause trouble for graphic designers in the long run. Since many designers follow trends, chances are high that your created design could fall under the plagiarism flag.

Trends come in handy only in projects where the client specifies you to use a certain trend. But then again, you might up making a design that isn’t unique and exclusive.

Time saving

As graphic designers, we should disagree with this. But it is a true fact that some designers employ trends to save themselves time. This especially happens when the designer is pressed for time and is desperate to complete his assignment within the stipulated deadline. For example, some designers pass their work as minimalist design to get it off their shoulders. But then again…haste makes waste doesn’t it?


Using Your Own Style

Unique and distinct

When a graphic designer creates something using his own set of skills and aesthetics, he is certain to make a unique and exclusive design, one that is free from plagiarism or similarities with other prevalent designs. When you use your creativity and talent, the designs you make will stand out from the rest of the designs.

Creates a new trend

Ever wondered how a certain trend was born? Behind every great design trend is a great designer who created the unique style that went on to become a popular trend. For example, Carolyn Davidson did not follow any particular design trends before making up the Nike swoosh. On the contrary, it was her unique style that went on to become one of the most popular logo designs in the world.

Everlasting design

As I mentioned earlier, design trends are transient. They may be popular in a certain era but are sure to pass away with the passage of time. But a design that is made with your own creativity and skills can never become obsolete. It will remain as it is regardless of what trends come and go.





Charlie B Johnson is graphic designer and the owner of Graphic Design Blog, a web resource for graphic designers everywhere.