Graphic Design Styles: A Visual Guide From Modern to Contemporary

The world of graphic design styles has evolved from the intricate 20th-century Art Nouveau to the sleek, contemporary designs of today. We’ll explore how historical events, technological advancements, and cultural shifts have sculpted graphic design styles in the past and present. 

We’ll cover 11 of the most influential graphic design styles, along with visual examples, famous designers, and portfolios to get inspired by.

Let’s uncover the stories behind the styles that define our visual history!

Understanding graphic design styles

A graphic design style is a unique approach to communicating a message through design elements and available technology. Every design style shapes messages through intentional choices of colors, composition, fonts, and visuals.

Several factors have influenced (and continue to influence) graphic design styles! Here are the major forces at play:

Understanding these influences is crucial for designers as they adapt to current graphic design trends and innovate, contributing to the evolution of graphic design styles. 

11 Key graphic design styles + examples

We’ll cover iconic graphic design styles, important history, examples, and key characteristics. Let’s get to it!

1. Modernism

Modernism in graphic design marks a significant shift towards abstraction, simplicity, and a departure from the intricate, hand-drawn, and ornamental styles that preceded it.

Emerging in the early 20th century, the modern design style sought to break away from traditional forms and conventions, prioritizing functionality, clarity, and simplicity in design. 

This era was the inception of movements we cover in detail below, like Bauhaus, Swiss Style, and Minimalism.

Source: NuMar on Behance

Characteristics of Modernism

• Sans-serif typography: Clean, legible sans-serif typefaces won over the decorative serifs of the past, emphasizing readability and modernity.
• Geometric shapes: Basic geometric shapes like circles, squares, and triangles create abstract and symbolic designs.
• Minimalist grid systems: Employs grid systems for structure and visual alignment, ensuring a logical, orderly layout that enhances clarity and visual impact.
• Contrasting colors: Often features bold, contrasting color combinations to capture attention and create visual interest.

Famous Graphic Design Examples

• The Bauhaus School: Founded in 1919, the faculty and students produced iconic works emphasizing functionality and simplified forms.
• Swiss Style: Known as International Typographic Style, consists of grid layouts, sans-serif fonts, and photography. 
• IBM by Paul Rand: Rand’s work in the 50s and 60s exemplifies modernist design with clean lines, bold colors, and an iconic logo that remains influential.

2. Bauhaus

The Bauhaus graphic design style was born from the influential Bauhaus school in Germany during the early 20th century.  It was founded by Walter Gropius and emerged as a response to the decorative excesses of Art Nouveau. Designers felt the status quo of the time no longer aligned with the social and technological needs of the era.

Bauhaus merged art, craft, and technology, aiming to create functional and affordable designs that could be mass-produced for the modern industrial society.

This approach advocated unity of art and design to serve the community.

Source: Holke on Behance

Source: Logan on Behance

Characteristics of Bauhaus design

• Geometric shapes
• Clean lines
• Restricted color palette, primary colors for contrast
• Sans serif typography for readability
• Laid foundations for modern design practices

Examples of Bauhaus graphic design

• Herbert Bayer’s Universal Typeface: Bayer’s creation was a geometric sans-serif typeface that embodied functionality and simplicity. Its uniformity and absence of uppercase letters were radical for its time.
• The Bauhaus Exhibition Posters: These posters utilized bold colors, geometric shapes, and asymmetric balance, they communicate their message with visual harmony and simplicity. The posters served as manifestos of the Bauhaus aesthetic.
• Marcel Breuer’s Furniture Designs: While not graphic design, Breuer’s Wassily Chair exemplifies how Bauhaus ideals were applied beyond graphic design.

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3. Minimalism

Minimalism emphasizes simplicity. Its roots trace back to the early 20th century, but it became mainstream in the 1960s. This design ethos is to strip design to the essentials to enhance the user experience and make the message clearer and more direct.

Minimalist design style enhances the clarity of communication and asserts a modern aesthetic. Negative space, color, and typography are important in conveying messages clearly and effectively.

Source: Metr on Behance

Source: OODC on Behance

Characteristics of Minimalism

• Simplicity: The focus is on only the essential components.
• Clean lines and negative space: Utilizes ample whitespace and clean, crisp lines to draw attention to the main subject.                
• Limited color palette: Often employs a restrained color scheme to avoid distraction and maintain focus.
• Typography: Uses bold and straightforward typography to communicate effectively without excess.

Examples of Minimalism in graphic design

• Apple’s Branding and Product Design: Apple is famously minimalistic, from its sleek product designs to its clean, uncluttered advertising.
• MUJI – Embodies minimalism in its product design branding and advertising. Their visual marketing materials feature simple, natural backgrounds with a focus on the product and minimal text.
• ETQ Amsterdam: A minimalist fashion brand that stands out in the fashion world with its simplicity and focus on quality, not quantity.

4. Art Deco

Art Deco, distinguishable by its luxurious ornaments and grandeur, emerged in the early 20th century, reaching its peak in the 1920s. Originating in France, it quickly spread worldwide, influencing architecture, interior design, fashion, and, more significantly, graphic design. 

The movement was a response to the desire for a new aesthetic that mirrored the technological advancements and optimism of the age. The hand-drawn and ornate predecessor, Art Nouveau, became outdated with new technology and changing design tastes.

Source: Tugba Ozcan on Behance

Source: Lacaph Coffee on Behance

Characteristics of Art Deco

• Geometric shapes: Art Deco is renowned for its use of bold, geometric shapes such as triangles, rectangles, and zigzags.
• Rich colors: Unlike the minimalistic color palette often found in modern design, Art Deco features deep, vibrant color schemes.
• Luxury and glamour: This style exudes an air of luxury, often incorporating glossy finishes, metallic colors (gold and silver), and opulent imagery.
• Symmetry: Balance and symmetry are key, emphasizing orderly and harmonious compositions.

Famous graphic design examples

• Movie posters of the 1920s and 1930s: Many classic film posters from this era showcased the definitive geometric patterns and stylization characteristic of Art Deco.
• The Empire State Building and Chrysler Building: Though not graphic designs per se, the iconic decorations of these buildings have inspired countless Art Deco designs, including posters and book covers.
• Vogue magazine covers: In the 1920s and 1930s, Vogue covers often featured Art Deco style. The covers used bold lines, symmetry, and a glamorous aesthetic.

5. Pop Art

You’ve probably seen the Marilyn Monroe portraits in neon colors or the iconic Campbell soup cans. They’re quintessential Pop Art! Pop art emerged in the mid-20th century, challenging traditional fine art and who had access to it. 

This movement originated in the 1950s in Britain and later spread to the United States. This era made creating art accessible to the general public. It shook the public opinion on what art could be, and where it can be found.

Agencia Arte on Behance

Characteristics of Art Pop

• Bold colors: Utilizes vibrant, contrasting bold colors to capture attention and evoke emotions.
• Mass culture images: Incorporates imagery from television, advertisements, comics, and everyday objects.
• Irony and satire: Often uses humor, irony, and parody to comment on contemporary culture and society.
• Simplicity and boldness: Features simple, bold lines and shapes, making it easily recognizable but visually striking.

Pop Art graphic design examples

• Andy Warhol’s Campbell’s Soup Cans: Warhol’s iconic series dramatically changed the perception of what could be considered art, using commercial goods as art subjects.
• Roy Lichtenstein’s comic strips: Lichtenstein transformed scenes from comic strips into large-scale artworks through the use of primary colors and Ben-Day dots, typical of 1960s comic books.
• Album covers for the Beatles: The Beatles’ Pop Art album covers, notably Revolver and Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, bridged the gap between pop music and art.

6. Swiss Style (International Typographic Style)

The Swiss Style, also known as the International Typographic Style, emerged in the 1950s in Switzerland. It focused on typography, grids, and the aesthetic of cleanliness, readability, and objectivity. 

Designers such as Josef Müller-Brockmann and Armin Hofmann, aimed to break away from the ornate (art deco and art nouveau) designs of the early 20th century. 

This graphic design style believed that design should be as impactful and clear as possible. The Swiss are known for their penchant for precision and order!

Source: Goodn Goody on Behance

Source: Munaridesign.com

Characteristics of Swiss style

• Grid Systems: Uses strict grid systems for orderly arrangements of text and images.
• Sans-Serif Typography: Prefers clean, readable sans-serif typefaces, like Helvetica, which was developed by Swiss designers.
• Objective Photography: Incorporates straightforward, unembellished photography to support clear communication.
• Asymmetrical Layouts: Employs asymmetrical layouts for dynamic visual interest while maintaining balance.

Famous graphic design examples

• Helvetica typeface: Max Miedinger and Eduard Hoffmann created Helvetica in 1957 and became synonymous with the Swiss Design movement. It’s still used today for its clarity and neutrality!
• “The Beethoven Poster” by Josef Müller-Brockmann: This iconic poster for a Beethoven concert series exemplifies the Swiss Style.
• Swiss National Tourist Office Posters: Utilizing the Swiss Style, these posters showcase Switzerland through designs that communicate swiftly and clearly.

7. Psychedelic design style

The heart of the psychedelic graphic design style is vibrant colors, surreal visuals, and mind-bending patterns. This style emerged in the cultural shift of the late 1960s. 

Originating from San Francisco’s Haight-Ashbury district, the Psychedelic style was a visual expression of youth rebellion, musical exploration, and social upheaval. The focus wasn’t so much on communication as it was on expression and art. It’s quite the departure from other movements in that era!

Characteristics of Psychedelic graphic design

• Vibrant color schemes: Utilize highly saturated colors that contrast sharply, creating a visually stimulating effect.
• Swirling patterns: Complex, swirling patterns, and abstract shapes meant to mimic hallucinogenic effects.
• Hand-drawn lettering: Unique, stylized, and often distorted hand-drawn lettering, making texts part of the artistic expression.
• Surreal imagery: Dream-like imagery or collage elements to evoke a sense of altered consciousness and perception.

Famous graphic design examples

• “The Beatles’ Yellow Submarine”: The 1968 animated film and its promotional materials showcased vibrant, surreal landscapes and characters.
• Posters by Victor Moscoso and Wes Wilson: These artists are renowned for their concert posters promoting bands like The Grateful Dead and Jefferson Airplane.
• Album covers: Jimi Hendrix’s “Axis: Bold as Love” and Cream’s “Disraeli Gears”, are iconic examples of psychedelic graphic art.

8. Postmodernism

Most art movements start as a rebellion against the status quo. Unsurprisingly, Postmodernism emerged in graphic design as a reaction against the strict norms of modernism.

This era in design is marked by its rejection of minimalism and the embracing of complexity, contradiction, and diversity. Designers got bored of the modernist rules and norms and used advancing technology to unhinge their creativity!

Source: Modernismo Funkeiro on Behance

Characteristics of Postmodern graphic design

• Eclectic typography: Postmodern design often combines different type styles, sizes, and orientations, breaking away from the grid-based layouts of modernism.
• Playfulness and irony: It introduces humor, irony, and an element of surprise, challenging traditional narratives and expectations.
• Parody: There’s a blending of various styles and historical forms, creating works that are a parody of previous art or design.

Famous examples of Postmodern design

• The Memphis Group: Founded in 1981 by Ettore Sottsass, the Memphis Group is known for its colorful home goods. Their designs challenged the conventions of modern design with playful, eclectic aesthetics.
• Wolfgang Weingart: Known as the “father of New Wave or Swiss Punk Typography,” Weingart’s disregard for traditional grid systems introduced a new graphic freedom.
• Tibor Kalman and M&Co: Projects like the Talking Heads’ “Remain in Light” album cover and his editorial design for Colors magazine used visual irony and juxtaposition to comment on social issues.

9. Brutalism

Brutalist graphic design originated in the mid-20th century, drawing inspiration from its architectural namesake. Brutalism was an opposing reaction to the clean, predictable modernist movement.

The brutalist design style has stark typography, asymmetric layouts, and monochromatic or contrasting color schemes. The composition and space are often littered with overlapping elements and photos. It’s a defiance of design rules!

Patrick David on Behance

It’s seen as a way to disrupt the digital design space with a tangible, gritty realism. It marked a departure from polished aesthetics to a raw, unadorned look that challenges conventional beauty.

Characteristics of Brutalism:

• Monochromatic and bold color schemes: Uses stark contrasts, often with black, white, and grays, punctuated by bold flashes of color.
• Crude typography: Leverages oversized, makeshift fonts and unconventional typefaces that command attention.
• Exposed elements: Like the architectural movement, graphic elements appear stripped down, showcasing the “bones” of the design.
• Asymmetrical layouts: Breaks from traditional balanced layouts, favoring an unpredictable and dynamic arrangement of elements.

Famous graphic design examples:

• Bloomberg Businessweek covers: Under the direction of Richard Turley, the magazine covers exemplified brutalism with bold fonts and a raw, confrontational style.
• Kanye West’s “Life of Pablo” Merchandise: The merchandise for this album features minimalist design, rough-hewn aesthetics, and stark typefaces and images.
• Website Design for Balenciaga: The luxury fashion brand uses a brutalist web design approach, with a layout that features bold contrasts, minimalism, and functionality.

10. Flat Design

Flat design emerged with the rise of smartphones and high-resolution screens. Designers shifted towards a simpler, more universally accessible aesthetic. It made sites faster, and easier to load, and use.

This movement gained momentum in the early 2010s, with major companies like Microsoft and Apple adopting flat design in their operating systems. You’re likely using a flat design without even knowing it!

The flat style also seeped into branding and logo design, with most logo redesigns in recent years having a flat appearance.

Kate Roshko on Behance

Source: Creamly on Behance

Characteristics of Flat design:

• Simplicity: Uses simple elements, typography, and flat colors.
• Functionality: Design elements serve a clear purpose, improving usability.
• Vivid colors: Utilizes contrasting colors to create visually engaging experiences.
• Typography: Employs bold and easy-to-read typefaces to enhance readability.
• Grids and space: Makes extensive use of grids and open space for a balanced, cohesive layout.

Famous graphic design examples:

• Microsoft’s Windows 8 Interface: Marked a significant shift from skeuomorphic to flat design in software, using simple, colorful tiles.
• Apple’s iOS 7: This operating system redesign introduced flat design to a broad audience, moving away from the realistic icons of previous versions.
• Google’s Material Design: While incorporating some shadow and depth, Google’s design language is heavily influenced by flat design principles.

Flat design’s popularity marked a turning point in digital design philosophy. Online platforms began focusing on the digital space’s unique look rather than emulating the physical world.

11. Contemporary graphic design

Contemporary design styles are defined by the here and now! Everything around you is contemporary. Your favorite brand packaging, event posters, and logos, all of it!

Contemporary design is defined by current trends, technology, and cultural shifts. We’re on the cusp of an AI revolution, so it’s an exciting time to pay attention and see how messages are visually conveyed.

Source: Sepibu on Behance

Characteristics of Contemporary design

• Big and bold typography: Uses strong, often experimental typography to grab attention and make statements.
• Vibrant, contrasting color schemes: Employs bold and sometimes unconventional color combinations to stand out and evoke specific emotions.
• Incorporation of digital and traditional media: Blends techniques from digital graphics with hand-drawn elements, creating a versatile visual experience.
• Sustainable and socially conscious design: Designs reflect current societal movements towards sustainability and inclusivity.

Contemporary graphic design examples:

• Jessica Walsh’s work at &Walsh: Walsh’s designs are known for their bold use of color and form, blending traditional and digital media to push the boundaries of contemporary design.
• Pentagram’s environmental graphics: Pentagram, a well-known design firm, creates immersive spaces that frequently incorporate elements of contemporary graphic design through typography and interactive elements.
• Aaron Draplin’s bold logos and posters: Draplin uses thick lines, vibrant colors, and simple shapes to create impactful and memorable designs that resonate with a wide audience.

Experiment with graphic design styles

Graphic design is a dynamic field that mirrors and molds the global visual language. You need to understand cultural currents and combine cutting-edge technology and sustainable practices to create a unique style. 

To choose a graphic design style that resonates with a brand, consider this:

• Understand the brand purpose: Align the design with a brand’s core identity to stay true to the brand, audience, and core values.
• Research trends and inspiration: Balance modern trends with timeless design to create long-lasting relevance.
• Experiment with different styles: Practical experimentation can help you find the perfect match between brand identity and design style.

By following these steps, brands can establish a visual identity that not only stands out but also genuinely represents their values and connects with their audience.