Graphic design trends which have dominated in 2018

Every year, just like fashion, graphic design has it’s trends in fonts, illustrations, colors photography, etc.
Today, in mid September it’s a good time to take a look at what five trends have dominated graphic design
in 2018.

1. Color Gradients
90s color gradients are making a comeback in a major way from printed graphics to websites and social media icons.
2. Unconventional Colors
Unpredictable and bold color combos are in and neutrals are out as the 80s and 90s color palettes are driving the unconventional color trend.
3. Handwritten Bold Fonts
Handwritten fonts have replaced more simple and flat fonts to make a bold, eye-catching and memorable statement.
4. Custom Illustrations
Brands want to stand out by using custom, unique illustrations instead of basic stock images. Mid century modern motifs and illustrations are particular source of inspiration for this year’s illustrations.
5. Authentic Photography
Filters are so 90s when it comes to photography. Unfiltered and un-staged photos are back as brands want to connect with their customers in an authentic way.

Banana = the perfect packaging

Bananas are tasty and full of potassium. A potassium-rich diet can help lower blood pressure and the risk of heart disease but from a package design point-of-view bananas are so much more...

1. They are easy to hold
2. They have a non-slip surface / packaging
3. They are easy to open
4. Their skin shows us when they are ready for consumption – green means unripe, brown means too ripe.
5. They’re trustworthy – you look at the skin and you can tell if the banana is still good without peeling it open.
6. They’re naturally protective - basic role of packaging is to protect what’s inside from what’s outside.
7. They’re recyclable - bananas lag a little behind apples and other fruits with eatable skin but their packaging is tougher and at least it’s fully biodegradable.
8. They’re eye-catching - bananas yellow color represents freshness, happiness, positivity, loyalty and joy and color is the first thing the human eye picks up from its surroundings.
9. They eliminate waste - packaging that’s built into its product or products that are built into their packaging are great at reducing waste.

Overall banana is the closest thing to a perfect package design and designers are starting to take the banana’s example seriously while designing sustainable, eco-friendly packaging that fits the product like a glove or should we say... fits the peel like a banana!

How nature makes you happier and more creative!

I grew up in Finland surrounded by lakes, forest and open fields. Although, I have lived elsewhere for the past 23 years I always miss the Nordic woods with fragrant pine trees and deep green moss with air as fresh as spring water.

Nature has always given inspiration for my work and helped me to unwind and make me feel grounded but after reading an article about nature's benefits on human psychology I truly believe in it's power! Scientists have found evidence that "being in nature has a profound impact on our brains and our behavior, helping us to reduce anxiety, brooding, and stress, and increase our attention capacity, creativity, and our ability to connect with other people." The researchers go on to say: "Today, we live with ubiquitous technology designed to constantly pull for our attention. But many scientists believe our brains were not made for this kind of information bombardment, and that it can lead to mental fatigue, overwhelm, and burnout, requiring 'attention restoration' to get back to a normal, healthy state." Researchers also believe that "being in nature restores depleted attention circuits, which can then help us be more open to creativity and problem-solving. If you’ve been using your brain to multitask—as most of us do most of the day—and then you set that aside and go on a walk, without all of the gadgets, you’ve let the prefrontal cortex recover,” researchers go on to add. “And that’s when we see these bursts in creativity, problem-solving, and feelings of well-being.”

This past summer I got a chance to go back home to Finland to work on boosting my creativity and mood after a stressful, energy draining spring. I ended up going for multiple long walks in a pine tree forest with my childhood friend and her 10 year-old twin daughters. As children we played at that same forest numerous times and I could still hear the echo of our giggles bouncing from tree to tree. In the same forest we also made pottery out of mud that laid at the bottom of a stream running through the woods. I hope you get into the wild soon to fill up your creative tank and to enjoy life to the fullest… and like the twins stated at the end of our walk: "Nature is Magical!"

Greetings from the national stationery show 2014

I had a whirlwind trip to New York City to visit Surtex and the National Stationery Show.  I am still processing all the well-designed stationery, gift items, stylish desk accessories, unique party décor and beautiful wedding invitations. The show gave me a solid boost of creative inspiration for the next year to come. Image on the left was one of my favorite booths from this years show by Brooklyn based studio Linda & Harriett.

Happy Spring... Happy May!

I grew up in a cold climate where winter went on for months and ice, snow and bare trees is what you saw on a daily basis.

Spring to me was a promise of warmer days ahead and I always felt my mood perk up as the snow started to melt and the trees would start to bud. It was also the time when peonies bloomed. Their layered beauty and fragrance always inspired me!

The next time you are feeling down or just need to be relieved from daily stress, try taking a walk to your local flower boutique or the farmers market. You may be surprised at the calming and revitalizing affect it may have on you!

Happy May and Happy Spring!