Trends in Graphic Design... The overused Image

The star burst... the handshake... the stylized arrow... any of these elements sound familiar? If so then you've succumbed to the dreaded overused trends in modern graphic design. I've fallen for it as well so not to worry, there is a cure.

Some will chalk it up to the ease of acquiring images through stock photography and illustration. Other state it's because of the many books compiling logos and images for our reference, inspiration and viewing pleasure.

Whatever the case, the use of these elements is not necessarily a bad thing... it just depends on frequency and how you use them...obviously.

This blog applies to both you, the business owner and you, the designer.

1. Sunrays / Rays of Light / Rising Sun

By far the most overused technique used in design today is the infamous rays of light usually found tucked away in the background of a design or at the very forefront of the design such as in the picture above.
2. Black (or Colored) Silhouettes

Vectorized silhouettes of people and other objects is definitely second on the list. Made famous by the iPod campaign this technique can now be seen everywhere. Notice the combination of the sun rays and black silhouettes?

3. Ink Splatter

Closely contending with number 4, ink splatters are everywhere. Ink Splatters do add a cool / trendy look to a design and they do blend well with grunge style designs however ink splatters should be used in moderation.

4. Swirls / Flourishes / Ornaments

Swirls seem to be all the rage at the moment as they are quite appealing and generally just nice to look at. Flourishes & ornaments go well together to create organic, fresh designs which is quite ‘in’ at the moment.

5. Flowing Lines

Flowing lines generally add motion and fluidity to a design which gives it a certain emotion when combined with other elements (ie. funky circles as seen above) which is generally why they come up so often.

6. Funky Circles

The funky circle color combo is evident in numerous designs across the web and like the name suggests it does give a design a quite funky look however they are being used everywhere!

7. Smoke Textures

These smoky effects are not as blatantly obvious as the other ones as they are always in the background of a design however if you look a bit closer, these smoky effects are everywhere.

So, by now you are thinking... what's left to use?

In my opinion... all of them. Provided you go by this simple rule.

Don't blatantly use the image as is, directly from the source. Re-colour, re-style, flip, whatever it takes to make the image as original as possible. Make it your own and not just a purchased piece of stock art. Add other elements to it as well. To me that is the biggest single issue I see. If I'm designing say a logo, I'll use stock sites and books as reference only to generate the idea in my head and maybe for a different way of looking at thing (a sort of the single designers brainstorm if you will).

I draw out the concepts first and then, when I go to the computer, if I need a specific object or look, I'll see what I can find that can speed up the process without plagiarizing the original ideas or images. I make them my own and as unlike to the original as possible developing a unique identity or design for my client.

'Til next time...

Steve



Thanks to http://www.digg.com for the list.