18 Social Media Design Trends by Platform 2024 [Updated]

When you glance at a piece of graphic design, some of you might instantly recognize that it echoes trends from two decades ago. Graphic design, much like many aspects of social media, evolves rapidly.

Moreover, social media has become more visually oriented than ever before. That’s why it’s crucial to stay updated with the latest graphic design trends.

Here, we’ve gathered everything you need to know about social media design for this year. So let’s dive right in!

Key Social Media Design Trends for 2024:

Before we jump into the specifics, it’s important to understand that each social media platform has its unique vibe. Therefore, in this article, we’ve categorized the 2024 social trends according to each platform to simplify your understanding.

However, keep in mind that these trends are versatile and can be applied across all platforms. Let’s explore these exciting trends together!

Facebook Social Media Design Trends

1.  Dark Mode-Friendly Graphics

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The statistics show that more than 80% of smartphone users utilize their phone’s dark mode, also known as night mode. Not only is it popular, but using dark mode offers several benefits, including reducing eye strain and saving battery life. No wonder why major companies like Apple and Facebook have added the night mode option to their app settings.

Given the popularity of dark mode, it could be advantageous for brands to create dark-mode-friendly graphics. The key to designing such graphics lies in selecting the right color schemes. For instance, it’s advisable to avoid using pure black and white.

Instead, opt for dark gray and off-white tones, or incorporate subtle hues of blue, purple, or green to create a warmer or cooler tone. Reserve bright colors for accents or highlights.

2. Metaverse Art

Trust us, this year, we’ve probably all heard terms like “Metaverse” and “AI” countless times, especially from the platform called ‘Meta’ itself. Although the topic of AI-generated content is still controversial among the artist industry, you’re likely to see the influence of AI and the Metaverse in graphic designs anyway.

In general, these designs often embody what people commonly refer to as “futuristic” virtual worlds, and there are various kinds of futuristic aesthetics. Elements associated with this influence include 3D illustrations, AI-inspired artwork, sci-fi typography, neon color palettes, and glitch-style effects. Incorporating these elements into your posts can help capture your audience’s attention.

3. Riso Print

Many of you might be hearing about ‘Risoprint’ for the first time and might be wondering what it is. Riso print is often created by combining multiple layers of images with various color choices. Therefore, key characteristics of Risoprints that people can instantly recognize include grainy images and double exposures.

Despite the name suggesting ‘print,’ this technique is likely to be applied to digital graphics, especially this year. The beauty of Risoprint lies in its ability to evoke vintage aesthetics, yet designers can also adapt and transform it into more modern digital graphic designs.

Instagram Social Media Design Trends

1. Abstract 3D 

Since Instagram is more visually oriented compared to Facebook, you might have the freedom to be more experimental and abstract here. One intriguing trend to watch out for is Abstract 3D; it focuses on creating three-dimensional designs that are abstract and experimental in nature. Inspired by sculptures and installations, this trend has finally emerged in the digital realm.

This year, expect to see designers incorporating abstract 3D elements into their graphics on Instagram, whether they are 3D models, animations, simple images, or backgrounds in posts. These designs are meant to be eye-catching, engaging, and capturing the attention of viewers. 

2. Holographic Surrealism

Aside from Abstract 3D, experimental and futuristic trends are unlikely to fade away anytime soon. Another futuristic trend you might want to be introduced to is Holographic Surrealism. 

For those hearing this term for the first time, this technique revolves around creating futuristic and otherworldly sensations, characterized by the use of iridescent colors, neon lights, and holographic patterns (holographic patterns appear as if light is being filtered through a prism, displaying different wavelengths depending on the angle of light), all inspired by sci-fi and technology.

We believe that holographic vibes are set to be a significant trend in 2024, whether it’s integrating holographic elements in digital design or branding.

3. Interactive Content

Instagram is one of the most interactive social media platforms today, where people love to engage with content creators around the world. Fortunately, there are also numerous ways for official and business accounts to interact with their followers, such as through interactive posts like polls, quizzes, and games.

Therefore, you might consider designing interactive visualizations. For instance, you could create a ‘this-or-that’ quiz post that aligns with your branding and product, or initiate a challenge for your loyal followers.

Designing these interactions is more about functionality than aesthetics, as you need to ensure that people will want to engage with your content. This kind of content could earn you prominent spots on social media feeds.

Twitter Social Media Design Trends

1. Memes for Branding 

In this day and age, let’s face it, who doesn’t enjoy memes? Memes are casual, simple, and perfect for quick laughs. Moreover, they have a high potential for virality, as many people love sharing memes on their profiles.

So, if you’re considering using memes for branding, you can start on Twitter, it could be a great start to boost your engagement.

Creating memes offers numerous benefits: they are engaging and easy to digest for viewers, and simple to make for designers.

Additionally, they can help humanize your brand, making it more relatable to your audience. So, what are you waiting for? Infuse some humor and start creating memes for your brand.

Gimme. pic.twitter.com/jCSZYmvPUc

— RUFFLES (@RUFFLES) June 7, 2019

2. Retro Art 

We’ve mentioned futuristic and experimental trends for some time. But here’s the twist: retro art is also making a big comeback in 2024.

With the resurgence of 2000s trends and Y2K aesthetics, we can expect to see a wave of retro-inspired graphic designs packed with nostalgia—ranging from vintage color palettes to themes. What makes retro-inspired artworks and designs truly special is their timeless appeal. 

When we talk about retro, it doesn’t have to be purely old-fashioned; it can be a fusion of retro and contemporary elements too. For example, many graphic designs are crafted using AI or 3D art tools yet incorporate retro-inspired aesthetics. It’s all about blending the best of both worlds for a fresh, yet nostalgic vibe.

3. Explosive Gradients

Gradients have been popular for quite some time, and the good news is they’re not going anywhere in 2024! They remain an evergreen design element, perfect for adding a burst of color to your creations. Explosive gradients, as the name implies, can really bring your designs to life with vibrant hues!

As brands and graphic designers continue to experiment, you can anticipate even more bold and unconventional gradient styles stealing the spotlight. These gradients will showcase striking color combinations, adding flair to your posts, backgrounds, and beyond. Therefore, get ready to infuse your designs with dynamic and explosive gradients!

YouTube Social Media Design Trends

1. Mixed Elements

In 2024, the trend of blending different elements is emerging as the line between the real world and graphic elements becomes increasingly blurred. For instance, have you ever noticed YouTube thumbnails featuring real people’s photos alongside graphic elements? That’s just one example.

Apart from the mix of real-world elements and illustrations, we can also anticipate more instances of 2D and 3D graphics working together seamlessly. By combining these diverse elements, designers can infuse their creations with playfulness, spontaneity, and humor—adding an extra layer beyond realism to their designs.

2. Inclusive Imagery

At this point, we should all be familiar with the concept of inclusivity. Given the growing emphasis on representing diverse groups based on color, race, and size, it’s only natural for your designs and visuals to embrace this diversity.

You might be wondering, how can I incorporate this into my visual plans? One approach is to feature a variety of presenters for your product, highlighting how it benefits different forms of beauty, regardless of skin color or size.

Here’s to hoping that in 2024, we’ll witness an even better representation of every marginalized group in visuals!

3. A Personal Touch

Many content creators might have considered adding a personal touch to their visuals but refrained, fearing it might not look professional enough. Don’t worry; adding a personal touch won’t come across as too informal or childish.

In 2024, doodles and hand-drawn illustrations are becoming highly popular in graphic design. This trend focuses on re-engaging with people through a hand-drawn appeal, making it perfect for entrepreneurs aiming to add a personal element to their projects.

This year, all kinds of doodles are welcome, from quirky patterns to flowing illustrations! Font styles and cursive fonts are excellent design elements that provide your products with a handcrafted feel. 

TikTok Social Media Design Trends

1. Candy Color Palettes

TikTok is a super fast-paced social media platform, and to prevent users from swiping past your content, you need something incredibly eye-catching. This is suited with the use of bright, playful, and candy-inspired color palettes which is becoming an increasingly popular trend in graphic design. 

If you’re not familiar with this palette, imagine pastel colors, neon hues, and bold, vibrant shades, reminiscent of sweets and confectionery. 

In 2024, expect to see designers incorporating candy color palettes in new and creative ways into their work either in branding, social media content, or packaging design. 

2. Motion Graphics

You might be confused a bit about whether this is actually the 2024 trend or not. Yes, motion graphics are already being used in many marketing campaigns. Although video content isn’t new, there are still many new and creative ways designers can adopt this approach. 

In 2024, popular video content will be a key animated and motion graphics channel. TikTok is an excellent example of a social media platform for dynamic content, such as animated and motion graphics. With their engaging nature, motion graphics can help boost your conversion rates, increase leads, and drive more traffic to your account.

3. Y2K Aesthetics

As we all know, fashion trends tend to come full circle, and this year, we’re diving back into the late ’90s and the 2000s, also known as the Y2K era, mainly because of TikTok.

For those who are not familiar with this trend, essential Y2K-inspired elements include cute decorative items like smiley faces, stars, hearts, butterflies, stickers, glitter, and fur textures. Think of aesthetics reminiscent of old ‘scrapbooking,’ just like the ‘Burn Book’ in the film Mean Girls.

The fonts commonly used are bold and large, adding to the nostalgic vibe. Popular color palettes feature bubblegum pink, baby pink, and baby blue. Additionally, don’t forget the importance of incorporating contrasting colors for a vibrant touch. 

LinkedIn Social Media Design Trends

1. Simple and Engaging Data Visualizations

When it comes to LinkedIn, people generally expect informative content. Creating simple and engaging data visualizations can be incredibly beneficial.

Data visualization involves presenting complex information visually, making it easier for readers to understand. Not only is it good for readers but also for creators as visuals like these can significantly boost engagement on your page; research indicates that infographics can receive up to three times more shares than other types of content on social media. 

Apart from infographics, there are numerous other ways to achieve this, such as using charts, graphs, diagrams, maps, or mind maps.

2. Clean Layouts

Whoever said minimalism is out of style? When we think of clean layouts, we think of simplicity, characterized by flat designs, a focus on typography, and effective use of negative space. On LinkedIn, embracing clean layouts can give your content and visuals a more formal appearance, as these layouts are fantastic for creating designs that are straightforward, elegant, and easily comprehensible.

Just like the top web design trends of 2024, anticipate designers integrating clean layouts into their graphic design work, whether it’s for minimalist branding, website design, or packaging design. Get ready to see these clean and chic designs making waves!

3. Utilitarian Aesthetics

When it comes to Utilitarian aesthetics, it involves using functional design elements. In simple terms, function over fashion. One of the factors driving the growing popularity of utilitarian design is our inevitable shift towards digital spaces.

In the coming years, apps and websites will adopt these aesthetics more and more, providing users with convenience and ease of use. Imagine this, instead of experimenting with a variety of colors in your graphic designs, you opt for a design that is easy to read and understand.

By applying utilitarian design principles to graphic design, brands and designers can create content, websites, and apps that are user-friendly and straightforward. This approach ensures a streamlined user experience, making navigation and understanding effortless for everyone.

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How to Implement These Trends in Your Social Media Marketing

Now that you’ve been introduced to various 2024 media trends, there are still some tips and tricks you might want to consider to effectively implement them and grab your audience’s attention with your graphic designs.

• Don’t shy away from experimenting with various design techniques 
• Stay consistent with your brand identity while embracing current trends at the same time
• Ensuring your graphic designs look compelling on various devices, whether on mobile, tablet, or personal computer
• Regularly analyze engagement metrics to refine your approach, ensuring your social media graphics not only follow trends but also captivate and convert your audience effectively

By incorporating these strategies, you can create visually appealing and engaging graphic designs that resonate with your audience across different platforms.

Start Designing

It’s widely acknowledged that keeping an eye on trends from this year and the past can serve as a helpful guide for creating online visuals. However, when it boils down to design, don’t forget to let your creativity flow and see it as a means of expressing your freedom.

Whether you lean towards minimalism or maximalism, embrace modern styles or the Y2K vibe, and whether your designs are computer-made or hand-drawn, the key is to use them as a way to connect and communicate with your audience. 

Let your visuals reflect the true essence of your brand because that’s the incredible power graphic designs hold in the realm of social media platforms.