New Year. New Trends!

As we are trying to leave 2020 in the dust looking ahead to newness can be the bit of hope we all are in need of right now. So I wanted to look at design trends for 2021. One, to see what is going on in the world other than pandemic madness, and two, to focus my design efforts for the year.

But I had a problem, what design field should I research?

Fashion. Interior design. Illustration. Graphic design??

The answer was, ALL of them. ’cause why not? It will be a fun time. It would be a study in all things design and I could see which trends cross over between each specialty and pick which ones I like the best. Plus design research is really fun.

After scouring the internet I picked my top 5 favorite design trends for 2021.

1. Bold Florals

We just want something pretty to look at! Colors in fashion, specifically floral prints, just make us happier. Especially where I live, the winter is gray and rainy most of the time so throwing on a fun, bright, floral printed house dress is where it is at. I found the same trend in interior design and illustration. Any pop of color brings a little bit of joy.

2. Artisan Made

People are searching for something handmade and from someone, they know. Supporting small-business and helping your neighbor is very much a trend that, I personally, hope continues. In interior design, functional pieces like desk lamps and handmade items are on the rise. In illustration, artwork that shows the process of creation or the paint strokes of the artist keeps the link between who made the art alive.

3. Casual Aesthetic

No one is getting dressed up for anything. No events. No place to go. So the casual aesthetic has taken over, and I find this to be a great thing because I like to be comfortable if I am at home. I love dressing up for an occasion, any excuse to wear an awesome hat or awesome dress, but every day is for comfort. Gone are the days of tight-fitting uncomfortable clothing (I had to search for my skinny jeans the other day) the relaxed trouser or jeans, comfy wrap skirts, and a general casual aesthetic are on the rise. And I am here for it! If it is flow-y and comfortable I would be in that all day long.

4. Minimalism

I found this trend a lot with interior design. Our spaces have become more multi-purpose than ever before because EVERYONE is home and there is simply not enough space, mentally or physically, for extra things. That formal dining room is now also an office or a school. . And I don’t know about you but my house is always messy with 3 boys running around and the less stuff I have to wipe off or put away the better.

5. Outdoors/Nature/Organic

Nature is healing & calming for most people and we all need a little more of that these days, right? Soft, cozy things are on the rise as we are home and looking for comfort. We are also looking to be more sustainable in our lives as our impact on the earth is becoming more and more evident. At the moment my art is very floral and nature-based, mostly because I am dreaming of a tropical oasis that I can’t travel to right now, so I will live through my art. Really, all I want is to sit under a palm tree with a cocktail.

Bonus Trend: Diversity & Representation

I just finished watching the inauguration of the first female, black, and south-Asian woman to the office of the Vice President of the United States, Kamala Harris. I made my 3 mixed-race boys watch it. I don’t know if they get that just over one hundred years ago a woman could not vote, much less a woman of color (we did not get that until 1965. Yeah, I know). But just the fact they saw her and said, “who’s that? Oh the Vice President, cool” and it was not a big deal to them is awesome. It’s not weird to them to see someone that looks like their mom in a power position. She’s just the Vice President.

It helps that they know I am the Queen around here 🙂