There are a lot of 90s trends back in style! Crop tops, chokers, even scrunchies (really). Gradients are a design trend that would have been right at home in 1995.
Gradients were popular a few decades ago as a way to add colour and depth to designs. It remained a fairly prominent design trend until the late 2000s when flat design took over. Gradients, however, came back in a big way in 2018, and we see them everywhere. You can enhance flat designs by adding colour overlays to photos and adding texture to backgrounds (a design update called flat 2.0).
You know what? It doesn’t appear that the gradient trend will slow down in 2019.
What is the purpose of gradients? Why are they so popular right now? How will gradients evolve in 2019 and beyond?
How do gradients work?
A gradient is a gradual change from one colour to another (or, if you’re feeling colourful, from one colour to another colour to another colour) colour—gradients aren’t limited to two shades).
Gradients can merge or transition to similar colours (for example, different shades of blue or a light orange to a dark red) or wholly distinct or contrasting colours (for example, different shades of blue or a light orange to a dark red) (like purple and red or blue and yellow).
The gradient trend can be used in a variety of ways. It can be a focal point of a design or a background element, and it can be aggressive or subtle. Gradients may also generate fresh colour combinations that feel different and modern by mixing and blending different shades of colour, giving designs an entirely unique vibe.
Gradients can be used to add depth to a flat design, create an interesting texture for a background, or give a photo new life (and colour!)—the possibilities are unlimited!
Why are gradients so popular these days?
Things being what they are, the reason is the inclination pattern having such a second at this moment? Since they’re so attractive and eye-catching. The energy of these incredibly energetic shading changes makes them stick out and assists with lifting any plan.
At the point when inclinations returned charging onto the planning scene in 2018, a lot of creators were astonished particularly when bigger brands (we’re taking a gander at you, Instagram) jumped ready. Many individuals thought going the angle course was an over the top legacy. Wistfulness would one say one was a thing, however, could individuals truly interface with a pattern we’d seen previously?
Ends up, individuals cherished it-especially on the grounds that the 2018 slope pattern isn’t antiquated by any stretch of the imagination. It feels more refined and very good quality (from foundations to surface to overlays)- and less “Bailed out by luck.” These new angles utilize splendid, brilliant shadings and intriguing shading blends that cause them to feel new and current.
Furthermore, aside from the sentimentality factor, individuals are going off the deep end for the slope pattern for a bigger reason. With the sheer measure of content, shoppers are presented with consistently, brands need to figure out how to get through the messiness and catch their optimal client’s eye. Slopes that add interest and shading to a plan are the ideal method for doing precisely that.
The gradient trend in real life
Gradients are adaptable, and they’re a strong decision for essentially any plan medium whatsoever.
Here are a few instances of the slope pattern in real life:
Logos
Gradients may give your logo a distinct feel that helps you stand out from the crowd (plus, because your logo is the face of your company, it’s a great chance to include your brand’s colour palette in an imaginative and noticeable way). Use desired logo template and bold colours for a more noticeable effect, or softer hues for a more subtle effect.
Packaging
Gradients are the way to go if you want your packaging to pop off the shelves.
What’s the secret to using gradients as a package background element? Check to see if it goes with your brand. Something bold and audacious (like a neon gradient photo overlay or a loud colour palette) will hit the mark if you’re developing packaging for an in-your-face new product targeted at extreme sports fanatics. A single colour gradient or a palette that utilizes pastel shades is generally a better idea if you’re trying for a more delicate and subtle feel—say, let’s for a new face wash.
When it comes to packaging, it doesn’t matter whether it’s bold or subtle—as long as it’s authentic to your product and brand.
Web design
You may incorporate the gradient trend into your site design in a variety of ways. Seriously. Quite a bit.
For a delicate background, utilize a blend of soft hues. A photo overlay can give your design a vibrant, edgy feel. Adding a gradient with vivid colors to design embellishments can make a great effect without being visually overpowering. When it comes to gradients in web design, anything goes—so take advantage of the endless possibilities and include this trend into your work.
Apps
You must discover a way to stand out amid a sea of apps. Gradients are a wonderful method to do it, whether you use them in your marketing materials, in the background of your app, or as a UI element or accent. You may set the ambience for your app based on the colours you choose—bright colours for an enthusiastic sense, and pastels for a relaxing experience.
Print materials
Print products, such as business cards, book covers, and posters, are an excellent way to bring the gradient trend to life—literally. You can use a gradient logo template as an accent in an artwork, use a modest color combination as a background (which will make your text pop), or use it as a background (which will help your text pop). The options are unlimited, so let your imagination go wild!
How to use gradient logo template to your advantage
Throughout 2019, the gradient trend will continue. So, how are you going to make it work?
1. Select the appropriate hues and gradient logo template.
The colours you choose are the most significant component of the gradient trend. To make the gradient trend look well-designed, use colours that are similar in shade and hue (for example, a gradient that fades from light blue to dark blue) or colours that “work” together according to colour theory; for example, complementary colours (colours that are opposite each other on the colour wheel), analogous colours (three colours side-by-side on the colour wheel), or triadic colours (three colours side-by-side on the colour wheel) (three colours spaced equally apart on the colour wheel).
It’s also crucial to select colours that correspond to the feelings and emotional responses you want to elicit in your audience. Do you want visitors to your website to feel peaceful and relaxed? The trick is to use a gradient that fades from a gentle green to blue. Do you want consumers to be in the correct frame of mind to make a purchase? Use brighter hues, such as red or orange, to get people excited about shopping. Colour psychology is a strong tool, so keep it in mind while you select colours for your gradient.
Last but not least, make sure the colours you chose for your gradients complement your existing brand colours; for example, if your brand colours are red and blue, lime green and the neon yellow gradient isn’t going to look so fantastic.
2. Gradients should be used with caution.
Gradients, as previously said, can be used in a variety of ways. You can use them as an overlay, to provide depth to a flat design, or to bring visual interest to a solid colour background… There’s no end to the list.
However, just because they’re adaptable doesn’t mean you should make #allthegradients your new design mantra. When it comes to gradients, less is (likely) more, just like any other trend. Maintain a minimalist aesthetic. Make sure you don’t overdo it. Gradients should be used, but only in appropriate circumstances.
3. Be aware of your target market.
If you want your gradients to have the desired effect, you must first understand your target audience and the types of designs they would respond to. If you’re marketing to a group of more traditional businesses, for example, a fluorescent pink and yellow gradient is probably not the greatest choice.
Choose the correct gradient—the colours, how you incorporate them into your design, and whether you go for a loud or quiet approach—based on your target demographic.
4. Make it enjoyable.
This is a fantastic trend to be a part of, so enjoy it! Experiment with different colours, gradients in the background and as the focal point to see what works best for you, and use overlays to your heart’s content… The message is that this isn’t a trend to be taken too seriously. So go ahead and experiment with your gradients!
Fade in and out
Unlike other 90s throwbacks (JNCO jeans, anyone? ), the gradient trend appears to be here to stay. And now that you’ve learned the basics of gradients, you’ll be ready to incorporate this trend into your designs in 2019.
Get out there and experiment with gradients!
We’re working on anything from logos to apps and everything in between!
