The new year is right around the corner, and we’re here to help you stay ahead of the curve with our guide to what’s hot for 2022. We’re excited to explore these important digital design trends to help you produce amazing work in the upcoming year.
Graphic design is a constantly changing and evolving field, and staying up-to-date is not always easy. Thankfully, we have plenty of data, as well as some predictions from our team of experts to point out exactly what you should be implementing in your work right now.
We’ve analyzed search and download statistics from Vecteezy users to see what trends have emerged throughout 2021. Several trends covered in this article are evident based on elevated search or download activity. Other trends are predictions that we think will lead to greater interest in 2022. We’ve worked with our content team members who review thousands of vector designs every day to pinpoint the trends they’re seeing.
If you’re a Vecteezy contributor, recognizing and anticipating trends allows you to create resources that other designers and marketers will be looking for. As a result, you can provide them with the vectors they want, get more downloads, and ultimately make more money.
You may also be interested in our other trends posts:
Vector Design Trends for 2022
Here are the content types we expect designers and marketers to be searching for in 2022.
Artificial Intelligence
Artificial intelligence (AI) is everywhere these days. It touches every industry and impacts our daily lives in increasingly common ways. As technology continues to develop rapidly, this trend is sure to continue.
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The prevalence of artificial intelligence is evident in businesses, as well as in homes throughout the world. As a designer, there are endless ways to incorporate AI into your designs.
For Vecteezy contributors, creating AI-focused illustrations, UI elements, and icons will put you in a position to benefit from this trend.
Key search terms: artificial intelligence, ai, ai robots, ai technology
Data Visualization
Infographics have been popular online for years, but we’ve recently seen a shift towards greater interest in simplified data visualization. These images may be used to convey simple facts, statistics, or other details in visually pleasing ways. They’re ideal for posting or sharing on social media because they demand more attention than text, and they get the point across clearly and quickly.
In 2021, searches for “data visualization” and related terms at Vecteezy led to 21.7% more downloads than in 2020. We expect this trend to continue as more businesses and organizations will be looking to present content attractively.
As a designer, you can quickly create beautiful data visualizations with the help of pre-made design elements like the ones shown below.
Key search terms: data visualization, infographic, infographic elements
Cryptocurrency
While cryptocurrency has seen massive growth over the past few years, 2021 stands out as a year of significant progress. Bitcoin, Ethereum, and other popular cryptocurrencies have gained mainstream acceptance as an investment or a store of wealth.
You may not be buying your groceries with crypto yet, but digital currency is now commonly held by major corporations, hedge funds, and everyday investors. More and more financial experts and media personalities are talking about or recommending crypto as an investment. And, of course, buying or investing in cryptocurrency is much easier than it was just a year ago.
With the explosion of cryptocurrency, designers and marketers are working on more crypto and blockchain technology projects, which means there’s an increased need for high-quality vectors and creative resources. In 2021, Vecteezy downloads for cryptocurrency, blockchain, and related content were up 181% compared to 2020.
Key search terms: cryptocurrency, crypto, blockchain, bitcoin, nft
Cybersecurity
As our lives have become increasingly reliant on technology, the need for cybersecurity has also escalated. With high-profile hacks becoming commonplace and user privacy stepping into the forefront of everyone’s concerns, It’s understandable that interest in cybersecurity has grown.
A quick look at Google Trends shows a steady increase in searches related to cybersecurity over the past five years.
With this trend likely to continue its upward trajectory in 2022, we anticipate a growing demand for vectors and graphics related to cybersecurity, like the ones shown below.
Key search terms: cybersecurity, identity theft, privacy, data privacy
Retrofuturism
Retrofuturism shows the future as envisioned or portrayed from the past. It could feature modern-day or futuristic concepts with a retro or vintage design style. Steampunk is one specific subgenre that features retrofuturism.
While retro and vintage design styles seem to always be popular, we expect to see growing interest in retrofuturistic designs. The convergence of past and future makes it an intriguing style that’s suitable for posters, album art, advertising, and more.
Key search terms: retrofuturistic, steampunk, retro
Bold Backgrounds
One trend we’ve observed across all aspects of graphic design is the use of bold background colors. Using light or neutral background colors is not a requirement, and that’s more evident now than it’s ever been.
We’re seeing Vecteezy users select vectors that feature bright or bold backgrounds, and we’re seeing designers placing icons, illustrations, and other elements on bold backgrounds within their own designs.
If you’re a Vecteezy contributor, this is a trend you should be paying attention to. Using bold backgrounds in some of your vector designs can help our work to stand out and attract more downloads by providing users with what they’re looking for.
Key search terms: bold background, bright background, vibrant background
Sustainable Living
The environmental impact of our daily lives is getting more attention than ever. Many businesses are implementing eco-friendly packaging, opting for recycled materials when creating products, and looking for ways to operate with a smaller footprint. Government regulations related to sustainability and the environment are also increasing.
With consumers showing a growing interest in electric cars, ethical investing, waste-free products, and sustainable fashion, it’s clear that this trend will not fade away.
Downloads at Vecteezy for “sustainability” and related terms saw a massive 89.3% year-over-year increase in 2021. This presents a tremendous opportunity for contributors who create content that meets users’ needs in this area. With marketers looking to communicate messages related to sustainable living, quality graphics are needed.
Key search terms: sustainable living, sustainable, green living, eco friendly, environment
Glassmorphism
Glassmorphism is an emerging trend in UI design that replicates the look of frosted glass. The combination of semi-transparency and blur gives elements a unique and stylish look. The trend is being used by everyone from independent freelancers to major companies.
The glassmorphism trend is especially relevant for stock graphics because so many designers use pre-made elements within their user interface designs. If you’re a UI or web designer, you may want to search for elements that use glassmorphism specifically. And if you’re a Vecteezy contributor, you can create and submit vectors that make it easy for other designers to incorporate this style into their work.
Key search term: glassmorphism, glass, ui, ui elements
3D Blank Mockup and Displays
In 2021, Vecteezy searches for “3D” and related terms increased 46.2% year-over-year. We’ve seen a lot of demand for vector mockups and displays that use a 3D appearance or style. These blank mockups and displays allow products to be showcased in unique and attractive ways.
If you’re a Vecteezy contributor, this is a trend you could jump on if you want to get more exposure and more downloads in 2022.
Key search terms: 3d mockup, blank mockup, 3d display
Line Drawings
We love line drawings and line art! They’re simple, understated, and elegant. We’ve seen an increased demand for high-quality line drawings like the one below, and we expect this trend to continue in 2022.
As a contributor, there are endless possibilities and different ways you can use line art to create resources for Vecteezy users.
Key search terms: line drawing, line art, illustration
Paper Art
Paper art is an intriguing form of art that features extreme attention to detail and creativity. We’ve seen a significant interest in vector designs that replicate or mimic the look and style of paper art, like the examples shown below. These designs have a subtle 3D element that adds intrigue.
Of course, as a Vecteezy contributor, there are plenty of different ways you can use this style in the vectors you create.
Key search terms: paper art, illustration
Travel
A year ago, most of us expected 2021 to be a year when travel returned to normal after the pandemic. But with the impact of COVID-19 lasting longer than many people expected, that hasn’t happened just yet. With millions of people eager to get out, we anticipate that travel-related images and graphics will be in greater demand in 2022.
Diversity
We’ve seen businesses commit to greater diversity and representation in their marketing for several years now. As a result, designers and marketers are actively looking for creative content that displays the diversity they want to communicate.
As a Vecteezy contributor, you can be part of this positive change. Be sure that the vectors you’re designing and submitting include all different kinds of people to support and encourage diversity.
Key search terms: diversity, representation, social equity, inclusion
Final Thoughts on Vector Design Trends for 2022
As a designer, it’s critical to be aware of the current trends in the industry. We’ve presented our predicted trends for 2022 based on changes in search and download activity, as well as the changes we’ve observed in business and culture. Keep these trends in mind to ensure that your work is on-point and relevant to the audience you’re trying to reach.
