<aside> 🎨 Choose your design style from this list.

Within each design style, you can view: → a description of the style → visual elements that are commonly used with this style → values associated with brands that use this style

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ABOUT THIS STYLE:

The soft pastel style in graphic design has its origins in the traditional medium of pastel art, where artists use soft, muted colors to create a calm and soothing atmosphere. In the digital realm, this design aesthetic has been adopted to evoke similar feelings of tranquility, warmth, and simplicity.

VISUAL ELEMENTS:

• Muted Color Palette: Soft pastel design predominantly uses muted, light shades of colors like pink, peach, lavender, and mint green, among others, to create a calming effect.
• Soft Textures and Gradients: To mimic the effect of pastel chalks or crayons, soft textures or gradients are frequently used to give depth without overwhelming the design.
• Human-Centric Imagery: Soft pastel styles often incorporate images of nature, people, or everyday objects to add relatability and emotional resonance.
• Subtle Typography: Fonts used in soft pastel designs are usually uncomplicated and understated, complementing the design rather than competing with it.

VALUES:

• Serenity and Calmness: The soft, muted colors inherently evoke a sense of peace and relaxation, aiming to lower stress and bring mental clarity to viewers.
• Simplicity and Approachability: The style's minimalistic elements make it easy on the eyes, inviting viewers to engage with the content without feeling overwhelmed.
• Emotional Resonance: By using human-centric imagery and a soothing color palette, the design aims to touch the emotional chords of the viewers, making them feel comforted and understood.
• Modern Elegance: Despite its simplicity, the soft pastel style conveys a sense of modern elegance, making it appealing for brands that want to be seen as both contemporary and refined.

ABOUT THIS STYLE:

Cottagecore is a graphic design style that celebrates a romanticized and idyllic vision of rural life. The aesthetic is rooted in nostalgia and draws heavily from the simplicity and coziness of a pastoral existence. This style often has a whimsical and dreamy quality, conjuring images of a simpler time, disconnected from the hustle and bustle of modern life.

VISUAL ELEMENTS:

• Soft Color Palette: Cottagecore typically employs muted and earthy tones, such as soft greens, creams, pastels, and browns, to evoke a sense of tranquility and warmth.
• Floral and Botanical Imagery: Designs often include illustrations or photographs of flowers, plants, and lush gardens, connecting the viewer to nature.
• Rustic Textures and Patterns: Elements like gingham, lace, and vintage patterns bring a touch of nostalgia and homeliness to the aesthetic.
• Countryside Imagery: Picturesque scenes of cottages, rolling hills, farm animals, and woodland creatures are common.
• Handcrafted Elements: Designs may incorporate visuals of handmade crafts, like embroidery, knitting, or pottery, giving a personal and intimate feel.

VALUES:

• Simplicity and Slow Living: Cottagecore emphasizes a return to a less complicated life, valuing mindfulness and being present in the moment.
• Connection to Nature: The aesthetic places importance on being in harmony with the natural world, promoting sustainability and eco-consciousness.
• Nostalgia and Romanticism: There is a yearning for a perceived simpler past, where life was more connected and communal.
• Self-sufficiency: The style often celebrates the idea of producing one's own food, crafts, and living a more independent lifestyle.
• Escapism: Cottagecore offers a visual and emotional escape from modern stresses, providing a soothing and peaceful refuge.

ABOUT THIS STYLE:

The 1970s were a decade of transformation and experimentation, both socially and aesthetically. Coming out of the optimistic 1960s, the '70s ushered in an era of social movements, political changes, and cultural shifts. The counterculture movements, disco fever, and psychedelic rock all influenced the graphic design of the era, making it one of the most distinct periods in design history.

VISUAL ELEMENTS:

• Bold, Groovy Typography: Fonts and typography from the '70s were often bold, curvy, and groovy. Typefaces like Mistral and Avant Garde embodied the spirit of the times.
• Vibrant Color Schemes: Bright and sometimes clashing colors were a hallmark of '70s design. Think oranges, purples, and greens, often presented in gradients or radial patterns.
• Photo Montage and Collage: Photographic elements were often overlaid with type and illustrative elements, creating a layered, collage-like effect.
• Hand-Drawn Illustrations: Authentic, hand-drawn elements were common, especially for concert posters and record sleeves, bringing an organic, personalized touch to the designs.

VALUES:

• Individualism: The designs of the '70s often reflected the desire for personal expression and individuality. The eclectic styles showed that there was no one 'right way' to do things.
• Optimism and Escapism: Despite the challenges of the time, including political upheaval and an energy crisis, the vibrant colors and bold typography often expressed a sense of optimism or a desire to escape.
• Experimentation: Whether it was in the use of new printing techniques, layered compositions, or unique typefaces, designers in the '70s were not afraid to break the rules and try something new.
• Social and Cultural Reflection: The designs often mirrored the social movements and cultural phenomena of the era, from counterculture protests to disco nights, making them valuable cultural artifacts.