I’ve seen trends rise, crash, and crawl back two years later pretending they’re fresh. So here’s my honest take on what’s currently hot and what needs to cool off.

Let’s talk design fads. The good, the bad, and the painfully overused.

Do We Really Need Another Gradient?

Look, I love a juicy gradient. I’ve used them. I still use them. But does every app, shoe brand, and cookie company need a purple-pink-blue fade? Nope.

Gradients started as a rebellion against flat design. But now? They’ve become the new flat design. If you're choosing a gradient, do it because it makes sense for the vibe, not because “everyone else is doing it.”

Why Is Everyone Obsessed With Rounded Fonts?

Soft, round fonts are having their moment. And I get it, they’re friendly, accessible, and scream startup energy. But let’s not overdo it.

Not every brand needs to look like a bubblegum app for toddlers. If your business sells luxury leather or financial services, maybe skip the soft serif trend.

I custom-picked a sharp, geometric font for a UK-based photographer last month. His brief was minimal but powerful. A rounded font would’ve softened his entire brand. Instead, we went bold. Clients now remember his name just by looking at the logomark.

Fonts talk. Make sure yours isn’t whispering the wrong thing.

Can We Retire "Minimalist" for a Minute?

I know what you’re thinking, didn’t you post a minimal logo yesterday? Yes. But minimal doesn’t mean empty. And it definitely doesn’t mean lazy.

I see a lot of brands confuse minimalism with "just slap text on a white background and call it a logo." That’s not design. That’s font abuse.

When I design minimal, I focus on precision. Every line, every curve has to serve a purpose. If minimal feels like a shortcut, it’s not minimal, it’s incomplete.

Sometimes, I go maximal. Because some brands need more texture, more personality, more weird. And guess what? That works too.

3D Mockups Can’t Save Boring Work

Designers love showing off logos on shopping bags, neon signs, and coffee cups. I do too. But here’s the thing, if your design doesn’t work in black and white on a napkin, it won’t survive the real world.

A good design looks just as strong in 2D as it does on a billboard. No 3D shadow, bevel, or embossed leather mockup can save weak design.

I test every logo in its rawest form. I shrink it. Flip it. Stick it on a blank wall. If it still looks solid, we’ve got a winner.

Mockups are for showing off. The real magic is in the basics.

Social Media Templates Are Cloning Each Other

Ever scroll Instagram and feel like every brand page looks the same? Same beige tones. Same “aesthetic” fonts. Same recycled layout.

Templates are useful, but they’re not a strategy. I’ve seen clients use a Canva template meant for a skincare brand on a car dealership page. You know what happened? Crickets.

Design needs context. When I build social media kits, I make sure they actually reflect your product, not some abstract “vibe.” That’s how you stand out in a scroll-happy world.

If your feed looks like everyone else’s, your audience will forget you. Fast.

Here’s What I’m Actually Loving Right Now

Okay, rant over. Let’s talk about trends I’m into.

1. Brutalist Layouts – Yes, they’re rough, but when done right? They scream bold and unbothered.

2. Custom Fonts – More brands are investing in unique typography. Big win. I love building a vibe from the ground up.

3. Muted Color Pops – Neutrals with unexpected accents? Big fan. It’s calm with a kick.

4. Asymmetry – I love breaking the grid. It keeps things interesting and tells the brain: “Hey, pay attention.”

These are styles I weave into client work when they make sense, not just to ride the algorithm wave.

So… Should You Follow Trends or Not?

Here’s the real answer: Follow them only if they fit your story. If not, toss them.

Good design isn’t trendy. It’s timeless. It solves problems. It tells your audience who you are, without screaming for attention.

Sometimes we use trends. Sometimes we flip them on their head. That’s the fun part.

Got a Project? Let’s Make It Make Sense (and Look Good)

If you’re tired of following trends and still feeling invisible, let’s talk. I offer design solutions that actually reflect you. Not what Pinterest told you to like.

From branding to email marketing, I’ve got the experience, tools, and taste to make it happen.

And yes, I’ll tell you if your gradient’s doing too much.