Every year we see new (and old) illustration styles emerging, within the ever-evolving world of design. Since illustrations have become such an important tool in the digital marketing space, it’s crucial to keep up with the latest trends, in order to stay relevant and stand out from the competition. So to give you a headstart, I compiled a list of the top 5 trendiest illustration styles to look out for in 2023.

Modern-day retro

Modern-day retro style is a popular trend that takes inspiration from design patterns and elements from the 70s, 80s, and 90s. This style evokes a sense of nostalgia and works well in various design contexts. You can expect to see this style in a variety of mediums, including advertising, packaging design, and social media campaigns.

A good example of retro design application is re-branding of Olipop by Break Maiden studio. They designed a visual identity that pairs contrasting typography with minimalistic illustration that is reminiscent of old style colas – resulting in a product that feels fresh and familiar at the same time.

Soda branding and packaging designed by Break Maiden studio

Minimalist doodles

Minimalist doodles is another trend that’s gaining traction in 2023. This style is very effective at conveying messages while keeping things simple and professional. They can also add a great personal touch to your branding.

Notion is one of the best examples of brands that integrated minimalist doodle illustrations in their application, to enhance user experience and give it a more approachable look and feel. Their illustration style became so popular, that Notion’s competitors have attempted to re-create it and apply to their own branding. 

Character illustrations designed for Notion – a collaborative note-taking application

3D and 2D mashup

It was only a matter of time before 2D and 3D designs came together and formed a new trend, bringing many visually impactful solutions. This modern illustration style combines the simple flatness of the 2D design and the complex depth of 3D, providing countless opportunities for designers to create something unique. This trend is present in web design, social campaigns, animations and packaging. It is safe to say this style will be one of the leading design trends in 2023.

Groovies cereal packaging designed by Firmalt Agency

Hand-drawn illustration

Hand-drawn illustrations are making a comeback in 2023. This trend is all about originality, creativity, and intricate details that create stunning visuals. Hand-drawn illustrations are unique and add authenticity to your brand that’s impossible to replicate. You can use hand-drawn illustrations to tell a story or convey a message in a way that’s both visually appealing and engaging.

MailChimp is one of the best examples of brands that use organic and playful hand-drawn illustrations to communicate complex tools and marketing practices in a simpler and more human way.

Illustrations for Mailchimp’s rebranding designed by Franz Lang

Disproportionate characters

Disproportionate character design is a trend that is continuously gaining popularity in 2023. This style involves creating human body illustrations with weirdly proportioned limbs or heads. The disproportionate character design gives great impact to these compositions and can be used to convey a variety of messages. There are no boundaries to such trend and that’s what makes it so appealing to creatives. You’ll see this style in various mediums, including advertisements, packaging, and social media campaigns.

Illustration designed by Tania Yakunova

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