What Will Define 2018 Visual Design? Key Trends Explained

2018 Visual Design Trend Overview

After wrapping up 2017, the HJUX user‑experience design team spent a month researching visual and interaction design trends for 2018, gathering material from the internet, print media, and fashion, then analyzing color, graphics, texture, and layout to distill key style keywords.

Laser Gradient

Concept: Fluorescent fluid gradients combined with laser‑inspired colors create a dreamy, futuristic effect.

With advances in display technology, laser‑rainbow gradients are expected to become a hot color scheme in 2018, offering bright, breathable, high‑impact visuals.

Application examples: The effect is widely used in printing, apparel, and cosmetics, appealing to young audiences immersed in digital entertainment.

Cyberpunk‑Glitch Art

Concept: Blue‑purple glitch aesthetics featuring neon contrasts, distortion, and stretch effects evoke a futuristic, tech‑driven vibe.

The resurgence of cyber‑punk themes aligns with current interest in AI, VR, and AR, making this style popular across media.

Application examples: Seen in Tmall Maker Festival posters and Chinese Hip‑Hop campaign graphics, the style resonates with youth seeking self‑expression and a sense of technological uncertainty.

Synesthetic Graphic Deconstruction

Concept: Deconstructing objects—splitting, re‑stacking, and recombining them—breaks traditional sensory expectations, creating cross‑sensory experiences that trigger visual, taste, and smell associations.

Application examples: Taiwanese art students crafted ice‑pop sculptures from wastewater, challenging perceptions of edibility and highlighting environmental issues.

3D Solid Color Rendering

Concept: Uniform color palettes applied to three‑dimensional objects flatten the visual depth while preserving a sense of space, eliminating distracting textures.

Application examples: FENDI’s 2017 Valentine’s campaign used a cohesive red scheme, while the HypnoShine sunglasses ads employed a unified green palette to emphasize a “ultra‑protective jungle” theme.

Complexion Reduction Design

Concept: Minimalist design that prioritizes information, using large typography, strong hierarchy, ample whitespace, and reduced color palettes to enhance readability.

Application examples: This approach has become prevalent in product UI design, focusing on user‑centric experiences rather than decorative aesthetics.

Light Sensation Superimposition

Concept: Semi‑transparent gradient overlays infused with light effects create a luminous, ethereal quality that enhances visual storytelling.

Application examples: National Geographic’s climate‑change campaign employed this technique to convey the hazy, warming atmosphere of the planet.

Stay tuned for the upcoming analysis of 2018 interaction design trends.