Many folks in the design and creative space take the end of the year or the beginning of the new one to prognosticate and pontificate on upcoming trends, including everyone here at Dieline. Software behemoth Adobe is no exception. Given its market dominance and widespread use of its creative tools, Adobe does have a unique vantage point when it comes to trend spotting.
Similiar to Pantone, Adobe’s trend report has an overall theme of calmness and reflects our collective search for serenity. It’s been rough the last few years for most of us, and 2024 doesn’t look like it will get any easier. Trends identified by Adobe also include an acknowledgment of our tapping into the past and connecting with nostalgia while also looking to the future through the metaverse.
Additionally, given Adobe’s strong emphasis on its generative artificial intelligence (GAI), which it calls Firefly this past year, I’m not surprised its trend report didn’t fail to find some space to mention it. While it might seem somewhat self-serving for the tech giant, it isn’t wrong; AI is here, and millions are using it to create and design already. And that isn’t going to decelerate in the upcoming year.
“As we head into a new year, the creative landscape mirrors our disruptive, rapidly changing world,” said Brenda Milis, principal of consumer and creative insights at Adobe, in a press release. “This year’s creative trends are especially indicative of how both creators and consumers are craving visuals that inspire and reflect the endless possibilities of the imagination.”
Adobe’s first trend in its 2024 report is called “Calming Rhythms,” and it serves as a recognition of our collective refocus on mental and emotional health.
Meanwhile, “Wonder and Joy” describes consumers’ desire to cope with the current economic malaise through awe and enchantment. Adobe didn’t skip the opportunity to remind the world that its Firefly GAI technology can meet those desires. Whether it’s gorgeous illustrations or impossible AI realms, weathering our collective storm is the mission for the upcoming year ahead.
“Dynamic Dimensions” describes the multiverse, Augmented and Virtual Reality, and the convergence of 2D and 3D design. If you thought you had a full plate as a creative already, get ready to design in these new spaces and bring together new dimensionality to your work.
Serving as a counterweight to “Dynamic Dimensions” is “New Nostalgia.” Rather than identifying a particular era like the 90s as a contemporary fount of inspiration, Adobe sees Zoomers taking deep dives into different periods while adjusting their digital consumption and reducing screen time. Game recognizes game, I suppose, as we dubbed it “the neverendiing eras tours.”
Download the complete 2024 Creative Trends report from Adobe here.