5 Reasons You Should Not Follow Design Trends
In an ever-changing world of design and instinctive creators, joining numerous bands of trends will unarguably settle design outputs for a relatively short and unhealthy shelf life. Every qualitative design worthy of retaining its potency, relevance, and undiminishing statement must unwaveringly stand the test of time while maintaining its functionality. In other words, designs inspired by newly bloomed trends will undoubtedly fizzle out with the trends’ expiration. Therefore, it is expedient to understand that as a designer, your designs must be built qualitatively to remain at the centre of distinction. Below are the top five reasons why you should not follow design trends. Let’s dive right in!
The Principles of Design Are Timeless and Universal
Firstly, one major factor to consider on why designers should avoid pouncing on every trendy design is simply the unchanging nature of the design principles. The immortality of these principles has all it takes to be enough for authentication, and a source of inspiration to birth a great design that retains its taste across all seasons. Design is a necessary fraction that brings wholesomeness to every element that exists in the universe. Clear expatiation of this means, from inception, the basic principles of design such as balance, contrast, proximity, simplicity, rhythm, texture alignment, repetition, and what have you, have been instrumental to every piece of design that exists. This is a pointer to the unfaltering and indestructible nature of the elements that makes up what is called a design. Hence, a careful blend of these principles will produce an amazing design.
A Good Design Centers Around the People
Design made with high-class knowledge and creativity passes a strong sensational message to people. However, it’s important to highlight that another way to make a statement with design against following trends is by designing human-centred projects, subjects humans unavoidably relate with on daily basis. The human-centred design could also be explained as a problem-solving strategy that incorporates human perspectives in the process. Interestingly, there are two major subject matters that humans are invariably connected to either directly or indirectly in this dispensation, it’s technology and business. Lastly, designs that present optimum hassle-free user experience will put its brand name on the lips of many throughout its possible reach. “Integration is give and take” — Sebastian Kurz.
Human Beings Haven’t Changed Significantly over a Century
The nucleus of interest as regards the functionality, coupled with the aesthetics of every design output is human. Fortunately, the physiology, reasoning, and holistic makeup of humans have remained unchanged for over a century. The revolutionary era of the Homo erectus, Homo habilis, and the Neanderthals have far gone into extinction. Thus, if the motive behind long-existing designs has been humans, then the objective should remain, we have not changed! Peradventure a design was birthed from a trend that came into vogue many years back, it will be difficult for the community of this age to understand such design and what it represents. There can be different seasons to various trends, however, humans have remained humans across seasons. Work more with and around durable factors, not temporary elements.
Trends Come and Go
Here’s a cogent point about why designers should avoid following trends. In the order of today’s world and the dispensation, trends being a sensational phenomenon will always be in vogue in its differences per times and seasons. It could be about celebrities, car brands, media events, clothing brands, body enhancements, and lots more. The most prevalent similarity amongst all trends is how soon they fall off the screen, so such designs that originated from them lose their worth and taste not long after the trend is forgotten. How will a designer whose designs revolve around trends stand and retain relevance for decades? Clearly, impossible! The only way is to stay true to the basic principles of design. It doesn’t go sour.
The Fundamental Purpose of Design is to Solve Problems
Design exists in its class primarily as a problem solver before all other functions are followed. Every project is seemingly a dilemma or a challenge that entails assisting others in comprehending something previously problematic. It has now become imperative for a designer to decipher a solution, so this creative type of problem-solving appears naturally to them. For example, a profession that grossly depends on making problems solved through design is Architecture. Clear comprehension of the building plan makes it easy for anyone who takes interest in understanding it. A project that doesn’t serve any function or bring something worthwhile to the table should not be called a design in putting an answer to a question or providing a solution to a problem.
Conclusively, this enlightenment has highlighted the reasons why you should not follow design trends and the easy systematic approaches to go by in designing. In addition, as a designer acquaint yourself with a lot of helpful platforms like design blogs, and design forums, listen to podcasts, and be vastly involved on social media. Hopefully, this should provide long-lasting solutions for making good designs that can retain their potency come rain or sunshine.
Frequently Asked Questions
What exactly is a design approach?
The best bet for any design approach is to plan before proceeding with developing the initiative, which entails anticipating and preconceiving steps to best handle the project.
Who Designed the Apple Logo?
Rob Janoff
Rob Janoff is an American graphic designer who specializes in corporate logos and identities, as well as printed advertisements and television commercials. He is popularly known for designing the Apple logo.
