Dash of Inspiration: 2014 Trends

A Dash of Inspiration, A Cup of Creativity by Doreen

2014 Trends

As designers keeping up on the industry for the latest trends is not only inspirational, it’s smart. Many things go out of style, even in greeting card design.  We’ve mentioned in the past that excessive beveled text and elements went out many years ago, that’s a good example of leaving old ‘trends’ behind and focusing on what’s ‘in’ today and applying some of those trends to your designs.

What is a trend?  Whether it’s a shape, style, color or pattern … it’s popular and sought after.  Trends change from season to season, so as a designer it’s never wise to dive so deep into a trend that you lose your personal style, that which makes your designs unique. What it does mean is to incorporate bits and pieces of seasonal trends in SOME of your seasonal designs.  A strong designer must always have those designs which are sustainable, timeless, even classic and unique to them. Trends are just the ‘flavor’ you add to a few special designs.  If you apply ‘trends’ to ALL the cards you design for that season, then all those cards will become ‘outdated’ when the  trends hit the following year.

Here are some inspirational links for 2014 trends:

Pinterest is a wonderful place for color and pattern trends. Here are two great boards for inspiration.

Design Trends 2014 – Pinterest

Color & Design Trends 2014 – Pinterest

Gifts & Greetings Review is dedicated to the gifts and greetings cards retail trade.

Most Talked About Trends at London Fashion Week – catwalk trends are always fun to see!

Paperworld has some good trend info for 2014 which translates well into card design.

Trends also happen in Marketing and though as designers, we in general are small business people, most marketing trends can be whittled down to fit our small portion of the marketplace. Here are some interesting articles for Marketing Trends in 2014.

From BusinessTips.PH

EyeSocialEyes.com – Online Trends Affecting Small Business Marketing as 2014 Approaches

So, until next week … Learn … Create … Inspire!