In an AI-saturated era, it’s great to see branding work that’s anything but that. Work that’s perfectly imperfect. Done by real people who understand the brand, and how to best get its message out into the world. As the year winds down, we’re taking a look at some of the top graphic design trends, and how they’ve played out in the positioning work we do. So without further ado, let’s get to it.
Design trend #1: Generational nostalgia.
Retro design intentionally references and remixes past decades while feeling modern.
Caravan of Love is an amazing organization. Founded in Akron, Ohio, this grassroots nonprofit is dedicated to delivering mobile, compassionate, and life-changing services to people not adequately supported by traditional systems. A fleet of mobile hygiene buses provides free showers, food, clothing and toiletries to those in need, along with access to medical, mental health, housing, and employment resources.
While Caravan of Love was spreading the love to the community, the organization’s branding needed some love of its own. Our artists tapped into the retro trend using a mix of bold shapes and vintage color schemes. This powerful combination infused new life into the brand, resulting in a graphic system that feels clean, fresh, and modern. Designed to evoke the feeling of a welcoming, safe space, the bus wrap delivers a dose of comforting nostalgia. In fact, the organization’s founder said our design immediately transported him back to his grandmother’s kitchen. Pretty amazing how a colorful nod to the past can offer real hope for the future.
Design trend #2: Bold type and color.
Clean, highly legible, but massive typography is set against vivid, high-contrast color fields.
Heart Brands is another powerhouse organization. This unique suite of business ventures and charitable nonprofits all lead with compassion, kindness, and heart. The organization needed an identity system that would unify its disparate business units, while showcasing the heart of its mission: making an impact on the communities it serves.
Using clean typography and confident pops of color, we created a brand identity that feels completely on-trend and gives the company’s ideal of Living Boldly a whole new meaning. A black, white, and red colorway brings emotion and energy to the design. Carefully chosen, meaningful words leave no question about what’s at the heart of this brand. And a simple, minimal aesthetic gives it room to breathe in a world where AI-generated design leaves viewers overstimulated and overwhelmed. Being intentional with both their actions and their look inspires trust and shows exactly what makes the Heart Brands beat.
Design trend #3: Human-made flaws.
Raw textures, messy illustrations and hand-drawn elements convey quality, personality, and authenticity.
Tremont Coffee Company is known for its premium handcrafted coffee and fun seasonal creations. Often located in old, historic buildings, its shops are warm, welcoming spaces where people gather, with a bit of folklore built in. Rumor has it that Tremont’s skeleton mascot, aka “Trevor,” just appeared inside a shop one day and never left. As we looked for a way to bring the Tremont brand to life, Trevor became the inspiration.
Our team leaned heavily into handcrafted design to anchor the brand in authenticity. The look of handwritten copy on store signage. Hand-drawn illustrations on coffee packages. Raw textures and paint strokes inspired by barista tattoos. Every element came together to create an authentic, artisanal coffee experience inside shops buzzing with life and connection. From the skeletons on the signs to the coffee beans on the bags, Tremont is living proof that staying true to your roots can make a bone-afide difference for your brand.
Standing out doesn’t mean looking flawless. In today’s world, it means finding ways to connect through design that feels real, human, and authentic. It means work that’s done by people who understand the brand, with a passion for design that truly makes an impact. If you’re looking for a way to freshen up your branding, we’d love to chat over coffee. Turns out, we happen to know a really cool place to get it.