The Future of Logo Design for 2022

Photo by Sunil kumar on Unsplash

We've all seen classic logo designs that endure for years or even decades. The world's oldest logo, Twinings' emblem, dates back to 1706. Others, such as Nike and Shell, have been relatively unchanged since their debut. Most logos, though, don't achieve this timeless appeal. Over time, aesthetics change and we see new trends in logo design. If your logo looks old-fashioned or you'd simply like a fresh new look, take a peek at this year's logo design trends for some inspiration!

Minimalist Aesthetic

If there's one thing that defines the world's most enduring logos, it's a relatively simple design. Symbols often translate better across space and time, perhaps because realistic imagery is more likely to look outdated as aesthetics change.

We've seen several top brands swap out their early, intricate logos for symbolic shapes. That seems to have worked out for them. For example, look at Amazon's initial river-themed logo and Apple's illustrated emblem. Their current "smile" and bitten apple, respectively, are much more memorable.

In 2022, many designers are stripping down their logos to essential shapes and symbolic elements. Often, the logos are stylized outlines rather than full-colored, fleshed-out illustrations. This approach tends to be more evocative and thought-provoking, creating a stronger impression in customers' minds.

Geometric Shapes

An intersection of shapes is often more intriguing than a literal illustration. Geometric logos are on the rise again. They can be symmetrical or asymmetrical, sharp or smooth, etc. In geometric design, the arrangement of the design elements is more important than the image itself. You can tell a story or illustrate your brand's values or process, simply by drawing upon geometry!

Even Mother Nature creates beautiful geometric designs. Look no further than fractal lichens, spiraling fern fronds, or the nautilus's shell for examples — and some beautiful logo inspirations!

Plus, a geometric approach can help clean up a messy logo. For a prime example, look at Slack's old logo, an angled hashtag with muddled, overlapping shapes.

The new logo is a geometric pattern that suggests a hashtag but without the color confusion. It's balanced and clean. 

Photo by Markus Spiske on Unsplash 

Hand-drawn Designs

After decades of sleek logo designs, many brands are embracing a more natural aesthetic. That's definitely the case for logo trends! Scribbles and sketches are no longer confined to the mockup stage of logo design. Doodles, textured elements, and handwriting typefaces make logos more personable.

This approach is ideal for artisan companies or any brands that want to seem more down-to-earth and homegrown. The most effective hand-drawn logos are intricate enough to be memorable but simple enough to symbolize the brand's values. So, next time you run a logo design contest, invite designers to be more organic in their concepts. You may just love it! 

Cartoon and Animated Logos

If you're not going for minimalism, go for the maximum — in cuteness! Whimsical characters are on the rise again. One adorable logo design for 2022 is the use of cartoon characters. This also meshes with the hand-drawn trend mentioned above. Here, it's ideal to go a bit more detailed in the logo design, creating a lively mascot for your brand.

Speaking of cartoons, many digital brands are using animated logos. Viewers see the logo come to life before their eyes. These animations are very short — just a few seconds, if that — but add some welcome dynamism and eye-catching visuals to the digital world. 

Neon Hues

Despite the trend of minimalism, there has not been a shift toward dull coloration. In fact, it's the exact opposite! Bright colors are completely in vogue. Vivid hues, bold palettes, and electric saturation make logos pop.

These bright colors actually work well with the minimalist trend. Too many colors can make logos look muddled, but duotone palettes are incredibly eye-catching. Plus, they help you align your logo with the rest of your brand identity. Check out Baskin Robbins' logo for a classic example. 

A subtle gradient can work well if used minimally, but keep the two dominant colors in complementary hues. Take a look at Adobe Creative Cloud's and ClickUp's logos for inspiration. 

Photo by David Bartus from Pexels

Back in Black (and White)

Not all brands are embracing color, though. In the interest of making logos more duplicable across platforms, many designers are opting for a classic black-and-white palette. It's easy to share on just about any medium, and it has that timeless aesthetic. 

This is a great opportunity for brands to freshen up their visual identities ... perhaps by going old-school! For example, take a look at GoDaddy's logo transformation from their bold green wordmark to a slimmed-down, elegant typeface. It's a nice departure from their controversial marketing and shows their commitment to providing top-notch web hosting services. 

Photo by Diana Polekhina on Unsplash 

Boho-Style Imagery

As the world becomes ever more technical and digital, it seems that people appreciate vintage, nature-inspired imagery in their logo designs. The Art Deco aesthetic remains popular, with its double lines, high use of symbolism, and gold accents. Boho-inspired logos are building upon this aesthetic with geometric yet creative iconography.

Many of these logos feature highly symbolic, relaxing images. In 2022, floral elements are especially popular. From simple leaf shapes to detailed trees, these designs include a bit of flourish — literally! — but still maintain the elegant vintage aesthetic. 

Bye-Bye, Gradients and Drop Shadows

Brands that are reimagining their logos are looking to simplify — and make their memorable designs more usable for digital marketing. We've seen this trend in place for years, but 2022 is already showing a distinctive redesign trend: removing any glossy effects, gradients, and dropshadows from established logos.

For example, ABC removed the glossy look in favor of a classic matte logo, and BMW dropped the faux light-spot and gradients, flattening its logo to a clean, minimalist look. 

Wrapping Up

There you have it — the top logo design trends for 2022. As you can see, we're shifting towards an engaging, symbolic, and natural aesthetic in logo design. Gone are the days of big graphic effects and clunky fonts. Today, we're celebrating each brand's creativity and values with symbolic, accessible designs that work well in a highly digital, interdisciplinary market.