Our team at Union Jack Studio spends part of every day looking for a moment of inspiration. We’re always searching for a style that helps us tell a different story.

Here’s 18 styles that got our creative juices flowing. Many of them nod to past trends, with a playful, 2024 kind of twist. They’ll be great to keep up your sleeve for the year ahead. Let’s get started.

1. Vintage and Retro

Illustrations inspired by the first half of the 20th century are making a comeback. As far as we know, there were no laptops in the 1930s. It meant the design process was slower and very intentional. That era gave us plenty of vibrant and elegant designs.

Of course, this style is a bit more accessible now. You’ll find retro filters on most social media tools, which has helped this style come back into focus. There’s a lot of vintage color palettes appearing in web projects right now, too.

Illustrated fonts are also a big part of the vintage and retro illustration trend. Brands often add a modern take on a font by using their own colors. This design trend has lived long enough that it’s not likely to wear out. It’s sure to give your creations a timeless, classic feel.

Example: A vintage/retro design, using illustrations from Union Jack Studio’s Offbeat style.

2. Psychedelic

Technically, this style is pretty retro now, too. But it’s not quite as old as the first style we mentioned. Psychedelic designs first took off in the mid-1960s and stuck around for a decade or so. The psychedelic movement had a big impact on art, but also on music and culture.

The vibrant colors and kaleidoscopic spiral patterns make every psychedelic design unique. Groovy typography and fantasy imagery also make this style feel familiar.

There’s endless variations you can make to the psychedelic style. When a style is so versatile, it will always come back as a trend in illustration sooner or later.

Example: From left to right: Inferno III, Bouquet II, and Descendent V by James Jean.

3. Cartoons

Illustrations help to make a message feel more friendly and natural. Artists often use cartoons to make things easier to understand. Sometimes, you don’t even need words to grasp what’s happening.

Cartoons grab people’s attention because they’re visually stimulating. After all, who doesn’t like a good cartoon?

Example: The “Mudkids” design, using linear illustrations in Union Jack Studio’s Friendly style.

4. Realism

More talented artists are trying to capture reality in a natural way. You could say that this goes against many other illustration trends right now. But it makes plenty of sense when we think about how much beauty is out there in the real world.

The realism style gets as close as it can to what the human eye sees. This is by adding as much detail as possible to the subject matter. It’s not the easiest illustration trend to master, but it’s a rewarding one.

Example: A monument in the realism style by Andrew Lucas.

5. Escapism

Most of us struggled with being stuck at home throughout the pandemic. In this time, many designers found the perfect way to survive creatively.

They dived into their imaginations and created fantasy worlds as a getaway. The main feature of escapism is that all the settings are unreal and otherworldly.

Escapist illustrations are only limited by what the artist imagines. The results are images that encourage people to explore and get lost for a while.

Example: A whimsical, dreamlike illustration in Union Jack Studio’s Offbeat style.

6. Comic Book

Illustrators find traditional comic books inspiring. They are great examples of character creation, style, and narrative. Laying out a story, panel-by-panel, is an excellent way to create something with meaning.

Illustrations help to reflect moods and themes that you’ll see in graphic novels. The comic book style has been a method for digital storytelling for some time. Telling those stories helps us to be more human, and more personal.

Example: The work of illustrator and comic artist, Igor Wolski.

7. 3D

More designers are working with 3D techniques as technology makes it more achievable. There’s plenty of tools you can even use in the browser now, like Spline and Womp. Also, now feels like a great time to plug our in-browser mockups!

3D designs can portray powerful ideas. That extra dimension makes the simplest of shapes and textures more appealing. When stuff stands out from the page, you’re going to notice it.

3D is a game changer for showcasing products and hero images on your website. There’s plenty of other use cases, too. 3D will only get more popular as the technology keeps evolving.

Example: Jelly 3D Characters from our sister company, DrawKit.

8. Flat

Flat designs are becoming increasingly popular these days. The 2D features look bright and crisp both on the web and on print.

The simplicity is an important part of the look. It removes clutter and sticks only with what’s needed for a visual to be complete. It also plays nice with other elements like text and images. A great example of flat illustrations are the scenes and objects in Union Jack Studio’s Offbeat style.

Example: A person working from home in Union Jack Studio’s Offbeat illustration style.

9. Line Art

Each line is purposeful, and the style is perfect for many uses. The clean lines, white space, and minimal detailing give a crafted, yet refined design. This style always gives an original feel to your creations. With careful planning, line drawings can communicate exactly what you want to say.

Example: The Japan Foundation on Behance.

10. Micro Animation

Micro Animations are great for grabbing people’s attention for a split-second. It lets them get into your story and learn about your message. They’re often used on websites to help direct users, or make them stop in their tracks.

We all know it’s getting more difficult to compete for attention online. This is where micro animations are a game-changer. It almost feels like this style was invented for the shortening attention span.

Micro animations are extra hot on Instagram, TikTok, and Dribbble. You could consider using them if your audience hangs out on these social channels.

Example: An animation in Union Jack Studio’s Youthful style.

11. Colors of the ‘90s

Whilst it might seem like yesterday for many of us, the ’90s are now long enough ago to be considered a throwback (wow). The ’90s style color palettes have a vibrant feel and remind us of MTV, cartoons, and advertising of the era. If you’re old enough to remember ‘90s cartoons, then this illustration trend is for you. It will be a wonderful dose of nostalgia.

Example: Pink Matter by Chris Thomas.

12. AI

Many illustration trends this year will nod to styles that have come before it. But using A.I. for design is a much more recent idea.

People created remarkable art using DALL·E, Stable Diffusion, and Midjourney last year. We’re fascinated with its potential, too. We actually launched an A.I. Holiday Card Creator as our first step into using A.I. and visuals together.

As the A.I. gets smarter, we’ll see more art that exclusively uses A.I, or leans on it in some way. You could write a prompt to generate the scene you want. Or you could paint it in simple shapes and watch something more complicated come to life. Visual A.I. is one of the most exciting spaces of all, and might look totally different again in 12 months’ time. This is just the beginning.

Example: Midjourney Nike rendering by jeffhandesign.

13. Surreal

A surreal style is powerful and unique. It allows you to create messages without the limitations of the real world. Surreal illustrations contain visuals that you’d probably find in your dreams. You can put things together that wouldn’t normally fit.

That’s why it’s perfect to bring simplicity to complicated ideas. As an illustration trend, this goes neatly with A.I., too. You can use the tools we’ve mentioned to bring surreal ideas to life.

Example: Illustration Art by Aykut Aydoğdu.

14. Textures

Texture and gradients are both excellent ways to add personality to an image. They help you to make your illustrations different from others that have a similar style.

Using these elements in subtle ways will give an illustration more depth. It’s these small touches that make your visual original. But they also keep people looking for that bit longer.

Example: One of our very own works in progress at Union Jack Studio.

15. Classique

Nike and New Balance are among the brands that are bringing this design trend to the forefront in 2022. They use a simple editorial font with a meaningful illustration. This goes a long way to communicating your message. The impact of this style is clear when you think of newspaper publications such as the New Yorker.

Example: A classic illustration by Made By Nelson.

16. Patterns

Patterns are a very simple way to use illustrations as a wider part of your design. You can use them either to create movement or to simply create a background using your brand colors. It’s another way of adding life to a space, creating plenty of positive attention. It’s the perfect brand asset for so many situations.

Example: A pattern created using objects within Union Jack Studio’s library.

17. Doodle

Doodles embrace imperfection and rawness, representing a shift towards authenticity and individuality in 2024. They bring a touch of whimsy and playfulness to designs, appealing to audiences who seek emotional connection.

Example: Doodle Cute Monster by 9george.

18. Rustic Ink Drawings

This technique creates a nostalgic, handcrafted look that resonates with consumers seeking genuine experiences. The textured lines add depth and character, giving designs an organic and timeless feel.

Example: Icons Of History by Jeremy Kyle Art.

Design Never Stops

There’s been so many changes to our collective lives in the last few years. When life changes, design evolves. We’ve seen a lot of transformation in the graphic design industry.

Old styles have been shaken up and been given a modern feel. Then there’s innovations making new things possible in the world of 3D and A.I.

Shifts in illustration trends can go under the radar if you don’t have resources to inspire you. Which style is your personal favorite? How will you use the style in your own projects?

Your Turn…

As we’ve explored, the illustration landscape in 2024 is indeed vibrant and diverse. It embraces individuality, nostalgia, and the human touch. Whether you’re drawn to AI-generated, playful doodles, textured hand-drawn elements, or hyper-realistic imagery, there’s a style that perfectly complements your vision. However, seamlessly bringing these trends to life can be quite a challenge.

This is where the true power of professional illustrators shines through. Their expertise ensures not only technical proficiency but also an innate understanding of how illustrations can evoke emotions, tell stories, and connect with your audience. However, hiring the perfect illustrator can be a bit overwhelming and time-consuming. For those seeking a creative solution, consider exploring Union Jack Studio’s illustrator maker tool.

What is an Illustration Style?

An illustration style refers to the technique and visual language an illustrator uses, combining elements like shading, color, lines, and shapes to convey a message. Each style can emphasize simplicity, boldness, or intricate details to evoke certain emotions or tell a unique story.

Popular Illustration Styles in 2024

Here are some exciting illustration styles widely used in 2024:

1. Psychedelic Retro: Inspired by the ’60s and ’70s, this style uses vibrant colors and abstract patterns to create a mind-bending effect.

2. Nostalgic: Combines vintage elements with modern design, evoking sentimental feelings with muted colors and textures.

3. Isometric: A 3D style using specific angles to create depth, popular in explainer videos.

4. Flat Illustration: Simple shapes, bright colors, and minimal details make it ideal for web and UI design.

5. Surreal Illustration: Mixing reality with dreamlike elements to express deep feelings or symbolism.

6. Pop Art: Bold colors and famous cultural references, perfect for creating eye-catching visuals.

7. Grain-Textured: Uses halftone or grain textures to add dimension and warmth.

8. Minimal Vibrant: A minimalist approach with bold, striking colors that enhance visual appeal.

9. Doodle & Line Art: Simple, playful lines that convey lighthearted ideas.

10. Risograph: Mimics the imperfect quality of Risograph printing with layered colors and textures.

11. Holographic: Uses iridescent colors and shimmering effects to create futuristic, high-tech designs.

12. Geometric: Relies on clean shapes and lines, often used in logos and posters.

13. Abstract: Focuses on mood and emotion over direct representation, often used in editorial work and album art.

14. Pixel Art: Designed pixel by pixel, this nostalgic style remains popular in video games and advertising.

Final Thoughts

Learning various illustration styles is key for versatility and success as an illustrator. The more styles you master, the greater your chances of standing out and landing future projects. Enhance your creativity and explore different visual languages!

Looking for an Awesome Illustration Team?
At Union Jack Studio, we specialize in creating diverse illustration styles for all types of projects. Contact us to discuss your needs and see our portfolio.

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