7/9/25, 7:23 PM Graphic Design Styles: A Visual Guide From Modern to Contemporary | Looka

GRAPHIC DESIGN

Graphic Design Styles: A Visual

Guide From Modern to
Contemporary
By Enina Bicaku May 16, 2024

Graphic-Design-Styles_HEADER with 11 types of graphic design

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!

1 Modernism

2 Bauhaus

3 Minimalism

4 Art Deco

5 Pop Art

6 Swiss Style

7 Psychedelic

8 Postmodernism

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9 Brutalism

10 Flat

11 Contemporary

NEW Graphic Design Trends of 2025 (+ Design Inspiration)

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:

Culture: Traditions, beliefs, and social behaviors play a significant role in

defining design aesthetics. Colors, symbols, and imagery reflect societal
values and narratives.

Technology: Advances in technology expand the toolkit available to

designers, from the introduction of the printing press to the latest AI tools.

Artistic Movements: Historical and contemporary art movements

continually inspire graphic designers. Each movement introduces new
perspectives and techniques.

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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

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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.

It was driven by the belief that design should reflect the spirit
of the modern age and was heavily influenced by the rapid
advancements in technology and industry.

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.

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• 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
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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 graphic design is rooted in the concept that “form

follows function”, a principle that prioritizes the purpose of a
design over its aesthetic.

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

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Source: Logan on Behance

Check out the top modern fonts of 2024!

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

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• 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.

Dieter Rams, an iconic designer, said “Good design is as little

design as possible”. His work and philosophy have shaped
modern minimalist design.

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.

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Source: Metr on Behance

Source: OODC on Behance

Characteristics of Minimalism
• Simplicity: The focus is on only the essential components.

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• 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.

Check out the top minimalist fonts in 2024!

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.

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• 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.

Art Deco is the embodiment of luxury, glamor, and

exuberance of the roaring 20s.

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

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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

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• 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.

Pop art grew from the ability to mass-produce and easily

alter visual elements. Designers turned mundane consumer

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goods into high art. It blurred the lines of commercial art and
fine art!

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

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Source: Andy Warhol archive Source: Roy Lichtenstein archives

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

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• 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.

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The goal was to promote a universal graphic expression

through structured layouts and sans-serif typography.

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

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Source: [Link]

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

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• 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.

This style reflects the counter-culture and music scene of the

era, heavily influenced by the rise of psychedelic experiences
and the quest for deeper consciousness.

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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!

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psychadelic graphic design style jefferson airplane 

ic poster style

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Source: [Link] 
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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.

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• 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.

Postmodernism sought to break down the barriers between

high and low art, incorporating elements from a mix of
different styles.

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!

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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

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• 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!

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This style is not about harmony or ease of use; it’s about

challenging perceptions and evoking strong reactions.
Similar to the psychedelic design style, but more grunge.

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.

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• 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.
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The style emphasizes usability, minimalism, and clarity,

stripping away unnecessary details to focus on functionality.

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

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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:

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• 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.

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We’ve already covered all contemporary graphic design

trends for 2024. Check it out!

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:

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• 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.

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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.

By Enina Bicaku

Enina is a Content Marketing Manager at Looka. Apart from writing and

content marketing, she enjoys learning about graphic design and brand
marketing and camping under the stars.

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