For typography aficionados everywhere, there are a few banner days throughout the year to look forward to annually. The release of the Monotype Type Trends Report is one such highlight when the experts over at the heralded font foundry unveil the key trends in the typography space they forecast for the upcoming year. And guess what? Today’s the day for 2024!
In 2023, Monotype predicted maximalism, comic book-inspired styles, and textured 3D letterforms, to name a few. But what should we expect in 2024? Curated by Monotype Type Designers Jordan Bell and Damien Collot, this year’s report identifies ten trends in type and brand design set to shape the broader cultural zeitgeist. “In this, our fourth Annual Type Trends Report, we found a movement away from the trend of cuddly, squishy, empathetic fonts that many brands and creatives embraced after the alienation and stress of the pandemic,” said Bell. “This year, in a time that can feel nostalgic for the digital simplicity of the pre-smartphone, pre-AI world, we see designers returning to the heritage and comfort of more traditional serif fonts, and also finding new creative inspiration in ’90s and early ’00s scenes like grunge, jungle, and early rave culture.”
As part of the report, the Monotype team reimagined each of the ten trends as worn vinyl LP covers, thus connecting each type of trend to a specific musical genre. Each vinyl cover was created through Midjourney AI to underscore the tension between our current nostalgia for the old analog world at odds with simultaneous immersion in a new AI-infused digital age.
Against a backdrop of break-neck speed innovation and social change, we found seemingly opposing concepts being combined by designers and influenced by both future possibilities and nostalgia for the past, perhaps heralding a new, more contradictory era of creativity.
Damien Collot
A sneak peek breakdown of the report is below.
1. EVERYTHINGALLOFTHETIME
As the name of this trend suggests, EVERYTHINGALLOFTHETIME (a reference to comedian Bo Burnham’s song, ‘Welcome to the Internet’) is all about more is more. “EVERYTHINGALLOFTHETIME challenges designers to use all the colors, textures, and typefaces they could reasonably fit in a design,” states the report. Monotype points to cannabis company Ben’s Best BLnz as an example of this trend in action, whose branding uses multiple typefaces from Vocal Type’s Tré Seals with vibrant artworks by black artists Dana Robinson and Pentagram’s Eddie Opara.
2. Whatever
The Whatever trend is born from ’90s nostalgia, encompassing “a spectrum of styles from nihilistic grunge to colorful pixel play,” says the report. “Picture digital gradients, big, bold type, and drop shadows.” Influenced by Gen Z and Millennials coming of age in the twenty-twenties, Whatever acknowledges the resurgence of ‘90s aesthetics permeating industries ranging from fashion to music to design.
3. SYSTM
In contrast to EVERYTHINGALLOFTHETIME, the SYSTM trend is a return to structure, control, and precision. It embodies the concept of Slow Design peddled by Martijn van der Does (the Executive Creative Director of Amsterdam studio, WONDERLAND), which is all about a reconsideration and even a return to traditional principles. “Despite having an engineered feel or approach to designing letters, SYSTM projects feel analog and human-made,” writes Monotype. “Softer forms and thoughtful grid-breaking construction of letterforms enhance the human factor.”
4. De-form
The aptly named De-Form style invites designers to use methods of typographic distortion that have previously been frowned upon. “Maybe we need to break age-old rules to express a deep state of uprising after what we have collectively seen and experienced this year,” writes Monotype.
The rebellion will be typeset!
2024 Monotype Trends Report
5. Flux
Flux goes hand-in-hand with the De-Form trend. It looks fast and dynamic and harkens to movement, whether animated or static forms inspired by motion. Flux often employs AI to create dynamic or interactive movements.
6. Quirk
Quirk pinpoints that sweet spot in branding and visuals where something stands out but still feels comforting and accessible. A slight flourish or a subtle something extra to capture one’s attention is central to Quirk. “This trend is all about finding a balance between comfort and a little bit of chaotic energy,” reads the report, “where subtle quirks wink at you from behind the familiar forms of solid, stable sans serifs.”
7. Counter Attack
Serving as the inverse to Quirk, Counter Attack is all about packing a punch through what isn’t there. The negative space here demands to be seen and celebrated.
The type in this trend is full of charisma and dynamic energy all formed around the hollow shapes at the heart of each letter.
2024 Monotype Trends Report
8. PROFESHINAL
PROFESHINAL harnesses the ability to appear effortless yet carefully considered. Off-handed and quirky, yet balanced with a professional sophistication. “If the world of graphic design strives to produce perfect creations,” explains Monotype, “this trend offers a counterbalance by celebrating perfectly imperfect designs that are proudly and unapologetically authentic.”
9. 100% Natural
100% Natural is a two-fold trend. It nods to brands looking to imbue their look and feel with an element of nature while looking to the quality of the organic and handmade. “This trend sheds light on how our environment inspires us to create and how textures and techniques can convey raw, honest, and playful emotion,” reads the report.
10. Return of the Serif
Look who’s back! After a dominant phase of the streamlined cleanliness of sans-serif styles, serifs appear to be back with a vengeance. Chalk it up to nostalgia or the comfort of tradition, as more and more brands are looking to the delicacy and classic look of serif typefaces to elicit warmth and stand out in a field of minimalistic sans.
The Monotype team curated playlists on Spotify to accompany the report for an added experiential dimension. Sink your teeth into the full Monotype Trends Report for 2024 here!