Trendy vs Timeless Design: How to Balance Timeless Design in a Trending World
In today’s fast-paced design world, the debate between trendy and timeless design is more relevant than ever. As a designer in college, I was taught to create timeless designs, like the iconic Nike logo, that stands the test of time. Yet, trendy designs seem to dominate the market, pushing even the most established brands to evolve. So, what are the key aspects that brands should maintain to stay timeless in a trendy world?
But first, what makes design timeless? Timeless design focuses on simplicity, clarity, and versatility. It's not about following the latest fads but creating something evergreen and universally appealing.
Pet Rock from Everything Everywhere All at Once
Consider brands like Nike and Coca-Cola. Nike’s swoosh, created in the 70s, symbolizes motion and speed in a single, elegant stroke. Coca-Cola’s logo has remained virtually unchanged since the 20s, yet it feels as fresh today as it did nearly a century ago. With just these two iconic examples, we have a few tiny, yet key aspects that contribute to them being timeless:
Simplicity: Timeless designs are simple and unfussy, making them easy to recognize and remember.
Versatility: A solid design is timeless when it can be used in various contexts and mediums without losing its impact.
Universality: They appeal to a broad audience and don’t rely on passing trends to stay relevant.
Photo by Daniel Stiel on Unsplash
On the other hand, design trends are evolving rapidly with bold colors, dynamic typography, minimalism, and abstract patterns. Brands adopt these to stay fresh and engaging. For instance, Glossier’s clean, minimal aesthetic with soft pastel colors appeals to a younger audience, while Supreme’s bold typography and limited-edition drops create urgency and exclusivity. Trendy designs offer novelty and relevance, making brands feel modern and engaging on social media.
Photo by Michael Lee on Unsplash
Some brands blend timeless principles with contemporary trends. Starbucks maintains its core logo while incorporating trendy elements like seasonal cups and limited-edition designs. Spotify balances a recognizable logo with vibrant, modern design elements. Airbnb keeps a consistent logo while updating its overall design to reflect a modern, community-focused brand.
So what are today’s brand suposed to steer towards being told to be timeless and trendy? The answer is striking a balance between the two and doing so by keeping a few things in mind:
Maintain Core Identity: Keep core elements like the logo and values consistent.
Adapt with Trends: Use contemporary design elements that align with the brand’s identity.
Stay Authentic: Choose trends that enhance the brand’s story and values.
Successful brands reflect their core values in every design choice to remain authentic and trustworthy. Consistency in branding builds trust and recognition, maintaining a consistent visual and verbal identity despite changing trends. Brands that evolve their designs while staying true to core elements will thrive, remaining open to new ideas and willing to update aspects of the brand to stay relevant. Understanding and connecting with your target audience is also key here because brands that listen to their audience and adapt to their needs will create stronger, lasting relationships.
Balancing trendy and timeless design is a constant challenge. Trendy designs capture the current excitement, while timeless designs provide that enduring value. Successful branding respects the past while embracing the future, creating brands that are relevant today and withstand the trials of time.
Ready to strike the perfect balance in your branding? Peep the goods and shop our customizable templates designed to blend timeless appeal with modern flair. 🤩
