LTD Creative

COLOR:

This year’s new “hot” color is the 2011 Pantone Color of the Year: Honeysuckle. Although Pantone describes Honeysuckle as “…a vibrant, energetic hue…” the fact is: it’s pink. No matter how it’s described, pink is historically associated with feminine characteristics. So one must ask — is that right for YOUR image?   
SOURCE:
http://www.pantone.com/pages/pantone/Pantone.aspx?pg=20821&ca=4&utm_source=eb20101209

Whether your marketing materials embrace the latest color trend or not, one color rule is universally applicable. Contrasting colors are important and color schemes should be limited to only two or three choices. If a strong base color is used, it becomes easier to infiltrate a contrasting color such as “honeysuckle”.

ILLUSTRATION:

Another design trend is the common use of illustrations based on mobile device graphics, like dimensional icons. The popularity of smart phone apps, and web-based media has changed the way we communicate visually. But again, the question becomes—is that image right for your organization? An association that represents quilt makers in America may not want to appear too cutting-edge in their design.

For those sorts of situations, freehand illustrations are trending, perhaps a backlash to the ultra-techie design elements. Images that resemble a sketch or a doodle may be more appropriate, providing a more personal feel to your materials.

TYPOGRAPHY:

Using web fonts is a creative way to ensure that fonts are always displayed properly on the viewer’s display. Before access to web fonts, designers had to convert unique typefaces into an image. Font hosting services allow users to pay a subscription to host non-web-safe fonts online. Most services host the font and provide the necessary @font-face CSS declaration tag.
SOURCES:
http://mashable.com/2010/05/27/type-and-the-web/
http://www.alistapart.com/articles/fonts-at-the-crossing/
http://webfonts.fonts.com/

WEB DESIGN:

 Web designers are less concerned about beauty for beauty’s sake, and are really focusing on increasing the functionality of the sites they design. These new approaches are smart and responsive to the changes in our lifestyles, including designing for touch screens, making designs more mobile ready, integrating Quick Response so that barcode photos via your smart phone will automatically launch the intended web site and using CSS3 + HTML5 and less Flash. Simple color schemes with more white space to allow copy and/or photos to pop, Parallax Scrolling (which allows different planes of graphics and/or animation to scroll at different rates) and the integration of depth perception design to give the illusion of true 3D, a hot feature in movies and TV now. All of these innovations are the direct result of the Internet as mainstream communication.
SOURCE: 
 http://webdesignledger.com/tips/web-design-trends-in-2011

CORPORATE IDENTITY:

Finally, corporate branding has seen some changes this year as well. Much of the change in this area is the direct result of more sophisticated and readily available printing methods, allowing for more complex use of colors and blending. A more subtle use of typeface for a lighter, more sophisticated approach is popular.

Logo merging has emerged as a way to create a singular logo for two companies that have merged. For example when United Airlines took over Continental Airlines they incorporated the Continental brand mark and typography into the new logo. When AT&T took over Cingular they incorporated the Cingular “orange” into their brand identity. 

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At LTD, we stay on top of the latest design trends without becoming a slave to fashion. As with all of our projects, we design printed and online materials that enhance your corporate identity and work to achieve your marketing goals for this year, and beyond. Contact us today for a design consultation and see how we can give your materials a modern makeover.