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Every year I make a video about graphic design trends — but 2026 is different.
I’m not seeing a new dominant visual style emerge. Instead, I’m seeing something far more important happening behind the scenes:
the way designers work is changing faster than ever.
In this video, I break down what I believe are the real graphic design trends of 2026:
– The rise of AI and automation (and the death of busy work)
– Why access to professional tools is no longer the advantage
– Free vs paid software and what that means for designers
– Why designers who ship will consistently win
– Boutique studios vs large agencies
– Why taste, thinking, and execution now matter more than style
Design trends are often recycled.
Tools, workflows, and ways of creating are not.
If you’re a graphic designer, brand designer, or someone looking to get into the industry, these shifts will affect you whether you like it or not.
This isn’t a video telling you what colours or fonts will be popular.
It’s about understanding where the industry is actually heading — and how to stay relevant as a designer in 2026 and beyond.
If you enjoy this kind of thinking around design, creativity, and the future of the industry, make sure you’re subscribed.
Happy New Year.
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