Graphic Design trends are already in full force, boosting the standard in all graphic design professions, despite the fact that the new year has only just begun. The trends bring greater enthusiasm to animation as well, with a beautiful blend of nostalgia, movement, and open-mindedness. Do you favor vintage animation on the Lo-Fi end or intricate hyper-realistic CGI? What about old school or dynamic typography? In any case, be ready for the Animation Trends 2022, because this year is all about going all out.
CGI that is hyper-realistic
When the boundaries between reality and animation are blurred, something new emerges: hyperrealism. This is the style of animation that makes people comment "It appears more real than if it were real" in AAA video game cinematics. The ridiculously high level of detail that allows you to see the smallest pores on the character's skin or minuscule fissures in the armor might be a touch unsettling, but it's still stunning.
Animation in a Psychedelic Style
In every discipline of graphic design, the 1960s' twisted, melting, and warped aesthetics have made a strong reappearance. In motion, they appear even more bizarre and mind-bending. This tendency emerges as a counterculture, reflecting today's instability and drawing power from within. With wonderful vivid images and mesmerizing style, the animated flicks awaken our carefree attitude. Regrettably, the current tendency may be too much for the general populace. Because it is the antithesis of all trends, it will always exist on the outside of the mainstream, never in the spotlight.
Characters in a Flat Style
Flat design is not a new trend in graphic design, but its popularity has taken it to the next level. Flat design is no longer simply a fad, but a standard for marketing animations, particularly explainer films. The approach is ideal for conveying complicated ideas in a straightforward and complete manner. Because most people identify flat graphics with "business art style," they are considerably easier to animate and seem highly professional.
Old School Animation
Retro cartoon homage will never go out of style. The difference is that creators are coming up with new and more modern ways to portray the nostalgic sense of frame-by-frame pencil animation. Because the frame transition isn't designed to be seamless, this sort of animation is perfect in its flaws.
Outline Animation
The visuals' simplicity enables the imagination to run wild. In animation, it's remarkable what a few basic lines can do. In fact, outline animations provide a plethora of options, ranging from subtle and elegant animations to more playful and goofy ones. Because of its wide spectrum of design styles, this style has become a trend, so expect to see it a lot, especially in web/mobile apps and explainer videos.
Cute Cartoon 3D Animations in 3D Forever
3D is always growing, with the goal of bringing reality to the unreal. It strives for simplicity in shapes and colors as it becomes more complicated. In 2022, the 3D style will be charming circular designs with vibrant contrasting colors that resemble clay sculptures come to life. The end effect is fantastic for children's amusement videos and films.
We may now realize that 3D can be as inventive and beautiful as the 2D classics from our youth by saying goodbye to the cheap and empty-looking 3D mass-produced cartoons.
Kinetic Typography
When you're used to hearing that a picture is worth a thousand words, seeing the polar opposite is certainly intriguing. Kinetic typography is a type of typography in which words take on the role of images, replicating thoughts and acting as visuals. This trend is all about using typefaces creatively and making reading a fun interactive experience. Its popularity began with music videos containing lyrics, but now it can be found everywhere.
Custom Mascot Characters
Custom brand mascots are in high demand for marketing films, explainer videos, and advertising, second only to flat-style. Perhaps not as sophisticated as old-school mascots like the Duracell bunny, but certainly unique and endearing. The tendency is becoming more pronounced, particularly for mobile applications, which are becoming increasingly interactive each year. The mascots were created specifically to complement the overall app design and interact with the tiny UI movements.
See more cool animation trends here: https://explain.ninja/blog/top-7-animation-and-motion-design-trends-2020/.