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10 Top Presentation Design Trends 2021, Bye Minimalism!

Ulfah Alifah
Ulfah Alifah
10 Top Presentation Design Trends 2021, Bye Minimalism!

Table of Contents

Presentation design trends for 2021 will be experimental and sketchy. It adopts the rebellious design of the 1960s by applying non-conventional elements. While at the same time, previous trends were futuristic tech, monochromatic backgrounds, and minimalists were getting tweaked to make their looks not so generic.

The changes happen not only through aesthetic style innovation but also through technological evolution. Nowadays, technology is more than just a tool; it is no longer smartphones and machine-learning algorithms; it now embodies the human aspect that carries emotions. Technology has entered our lives thoroughly and become our vocabulary–which is later intertwined with human creativity and the way they are interpreting art and design.

Before we go further into the listicle of presentation design trends 2021, we must consider the so-called “3B”. Please check:

10 Top Presentation Design Trends 2021, Bye Minimalism!
3B: consideration before following trends.

Budget

It would be best to prepare some accounts to keep up with the trends that constantly change. The funding means you may need to update old software, invest in research, or hire new talents. That is why you need to consider the impact of following design trends so you not to ruin your cash flow.

Brand

If brands are keeping up with trends, they certainly can uplift more awareness. Remember that some brands don’t benefit from using trends, such as banking or security brands, which users may expect more usability and stability. So you need to understand the needs of your brand beforehand.

Behavior

What motivates a person? What do they truly value? Are there any factors that play out in their lives and impact their experience? Those are things you have to answer so that your decision to follow the trends will not be biased, but it is fundamental to putting your user’s behavior.

See also: 8 Possible Presentation Design Trends 2022 We Need to Prepare

Knowing design history can help us to understand how trends evolve. It teaches us the fundamental, timeless principles of design. It makes us know how one thing at a particular time in a specific place influences each other.

Further, it helps us appreciate changes and lets us see patterns that last beyond our lifespan. So here, we put a brief history of graphic design trends. 

10 Top Presentation Design Trends 2021, Bye Minimalism!
History of graphic design.

1750s – 1850s

During this Industrial Revolution era, design could quickly be produced in large numbers by workers with lower skills and costs. One example is the lithography concept, which is the first printing method on a flat surface.

1850s – 1914s

“The Great Reform Movements” was described when the Arts and Crafts movement was sprung to give a reaction to industrial and city development.

At that time, the practitioners were responsible for designing art and products such as jewelry and furniture like an electric vehicle, the bright light bulb, the microphone, the household sewing machine, and the telephone. The halftone screen was invented in this era, and it allows photos to be printed in a range of shades.

1900s – 1945s

During the first half of the 1900s, political and economic turmoil destroyed Europe and China. Art Deco continued between the 1920s and 1939s as an intricate decorative art style that influenced various fields and materials.

We can call it “Modernism to pre-war luxury and prestige.” It emphasized experimentation, formalism, and objectivism—the famous Times New Roman typeface developed in this era.

1945s – 1970s

During the post-war period, European countries and Japan were recovering from the war, and the United States could suddenly establish itself as a leader in economy and design.

The “Good Form” principle also remained between the mid-1950s to 1968s, and it covered functionality, durability, and clarity aspects. Swiss style, which embodies asymmetric layouts, precise grid systems, sans-serif typefaces, and a clear hierarchy of content, were arisen in this era.

1970s

Memphis Style was a high reputation in the postmodernism era for liberating from the soulless and good taste between the 1976s to 1988s. Subcultures and anti-authoritarianism often influence this trend. New design movements focus on experimental works, production, distribution networks, mixed styles, irony, and provocations from this era.

The more we dig the history, the more we know that trend is a constant evolution, not graphic design. While the changes have many benefits to offer modern designers, it also comes with their share of unique challenges, too, for us as a presentation agency to stay updated with seeking the trends.

This is the reason why you are coming here. To make this list, we tried to comprehend what people look for in creative marketplaces and do research on several platforms like 99designs, Behance, and Dribbble. Without further ado, please take a look at the best PowerPoint presentation design trends 2021.

4:4 Decks

Nowadays, social media platforms, print photographs, and mobile screens are rising, and people will undoubtedly deliver a presentation using those media. No wonder the 4:4 aspect ratio will be applied more often than before. Because 4:4 is more compact than 16:9, it fits well with the carousel or microblog format.

Example of 4:4 decks, download here.

To make 4:4, we should understand aspect ratios. It is a crucial part of the design because we need to upload images at different aspect ratios for other utilities.

Nonetheless, an image’s aspect ratio will change depending on the platform to present, like desktop vs. mobile or blog vs. social media. It ensures our photos are displayed as intended without stretching or resolution loss when using the correct aspect ratios.

Anti-design or brutalism

There is currently enormous interest in retro trends or pop culture, especially from the 1990s, when brutalism and anti-design began. Modernist objects generally use a muted color palette like blacks, whites, and greys, while anti-design embraces all colors.

Anti-design value is to embrace the nature of pop and consumerism. This style also means including decorative elements, kitsch, irony, and distortion in scale.

10 Top Presentation Design Trends 2021, Bye Minimalism!
Anti-design concept in presentation, download here.

In the past, some designers were becoming bored with polished and straightforward designs, and Anti-design brings them some “freshness.” The main reasons designers use anti-design are to get attention for being humorous, edgy, and provocative.

The designers often created this trend as an inside joke and perceive it as ironic. Although it is considered a trend, we can use anti-design in everything. The contexts that supported anti-design use are: 1) If our audience is designers, illustrators, or artists. 2) If our presentation is meant for non-formal occasions.

3D Illustration

3D will substitute the flat design, and it will go further not only to 3D objects but also to 3D color schemes. Working in 3D is creating something realistic but fictional. Rendering 3D effects to a design has been a work in progress for a while now, and it seems this trend will continue to spread its charm in 2021.

10 Top Presentation Design Trends 2021, Bye Minimalism!
The use of 3D objects for presentation, download here.

The 3D design trend is not exactly new, but it’s getting fresher. This design trend has made the most of modern technological advances and software abilities.

The rise of Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality in high-performance UI design, increased internet and technology speeds, and unique ready-made template design. All of those things mean that designers are raising their 3D games.

We predict that these 3D visuals will be amazingly impactful, not just pushed as a secondary element but taking center stage, even dominating the whole page. The trend of combining photographic images with illustrative elements is also influencing 3D.

Others are adding movement and animation to make the site stand out from the crowds. Thanks to all the extraordinary developments in the design world, 3D compositions are here to stay much longer than before.

Neomorphism

Neomorphism, as one of the newest trends for presentation design, brings a breath of fresh air to user interface design and looks soft, and easy on the eyes. And people seem to like it. But keep in mind that it has to be structural and cleverly executed to ensure smoothness and usability.

Neomorphism design for mockups, download here.

Where does neomorphic come from? To understand neomorphic, we first need to understand some history between skeuomorphism, flat design, material design, and Neomorphism. Skeuomorphism started in the 1980s. It had its time and place in the first iOS version designed by Steve Jobs until the 2000s.

The concept was that the skeuomorphic interface design would provide users with graphical objects, shadows, shapes, and details to a hyperreal degree.

In 2007, Forbes declared that skeuomorphism is gone like a past life thing. This report was received six years later after iOS had been redesigned with a flat style in 2013.

Since then, Apple has resolved flat design with a minimalist and classically digital aesthetic. Google, in its turn, had set up material design offering minimalism, convenience, and personalization.

Then, the rise of Neomorphic as the hottest UI trend marked 2019, changing the ‘super flat and minimal’ vector to something midway to realism. It brings clean interfaces to life by adding a physical element to the flat UI pattern.

Neomorphism is a visual way that combines background colors, shapes, gradients, highlights, and shadows to assure graphic emotional buttons. All those elements will achieve a soft, extruded plastic look and almost 3D styling.

Isometric

Isometric is also 3D, with the X, Y, and Z axes adding up to 120 degrees. The technique is strict with the grid and can’t include converging lines. We can apply Isometric icons in any number of ways and have varying visual properties.

The Isometric design is merely a way of creating a three-dimensional object in two dimensions. Isometric icons expand this design system and the place where this trend seems to be choosing up the most pressure.

10 Top Presentation Design Trends 2021, Bye Minimalism!
Vector image with isometric nuance, download here.

The Isometric design combines the simplicity of flat design with the feeling of depth and “reality” hinted at by skeuomorphic design.

The realistic-looking center of such icons, along with their clarity and simplicity. Isometric techniques are excellent in marketing, but they are also instrumental in medicine and many other fields, for example, presentation template design.

Isometric design is advantageous wherever clear information is needed. As with all trends, though, the Isometric design should not be overused.

Specifically, Isometric design is perfect for infographics, logos, and icons. It just knocks the spots off flat design, with its illusion of depth and fresh, modern look.

Isometric design is a great way to deliver such information, making much more sense to your customers than a 2D plan. Secondly, infographics adapt brilliantly to isometric techniques.

The added depth and perception of 3D make them more attractive, meaning that the viewers will make more clicks. Moreover, isometric techniques allow 3D hero images to design playfully and with simple colors.

Techno-dystopia

What is techno-dystopia? Techno-dystopia is similar to Cyberpunk. Cyberpunk is often defined as “high-tech low life.” It is primarily a modern technology world occupied by people who can’t afford luxuries.

As with all design trends, the Cyberpunk aesthetic has enjoyed an excellent renewal for the last few years.

10 Top Presentation Design Trends 2021, Bye Minimalism!
Cyberpunk presentation theme, download here.

Historically, people generally started to look towards the future and imagined a world where robotics inventions became more advanced. This innovation inspired a generation of sci-fi writers and artists to predict the future, starting with a science fiction novel by Philip K. Dick: Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep (1968).

It would also be impossible to mention every original piece of Cyberpunk art for a better understanding of its development through the decades in modern design; they are Ridley Scott’s Blade Runner (1982), William Gibson’s Neuromancer (1984), Akira (1988), Snatcher (1988), The Matrix (1999), and Mondo 2000 magazine (1980-1990).

When you think about the Cyberpunk trend, you probably visualize neon lights, skyscrapers, and dystopian decorations. Those are all true, but Cyberpunk is more than that. It is a decadent cultural movement covering film, fashion, and design—all born from a sci-fi sub-genre.

The colors associated with cyberpunk are usually dark with light colors to give designs a futuristic glowing touch. The main options are pink and blue with various combinations of neon colors, terminal colors (classic phosphor green/amber on black), golds/yellow/oranges with blue/violets, hints of greens, and greyscale.

Retrofuturism

Retrofuturism is a term that refers to how predictions of design from the future were standing in the first era and how some modern-day aesthetics combine futuristic technology and retro design.

Also, around this time, retrofuturism began to develop its second interpretation: the intentional use of old-school designs in contemporary aesthetics to create entirely new genres.

Retrofuturism design, download here.

Traditionally, This era was full of many artistic movements of what the future would hold regarding technological improvements. Science fiction, as a genre, had only become popularized in the 1940s and 1950s.

Writers and artists directly inspire the first trend of retrofuturism by making filmmakers in the pre-1960s and 1970s (e.g., in magazines like Science and Invention), science fiction, novels, and stories. Steampunk, a term applying both to the reprojection of futuristic technology into an alternative Victorian age and applying neo-Victorian styles to modern technology, is a highly successful version of this trend.

By the 1970s, this design trend had progressed quickly, as phenomena like the first test-tube baby and the personal computer’s popularization forced society to ponder these aggressive and technological changes.

Retrofuturism turned around earlier eras making predictions of future technology. Now, time also includes new design aesthetics combining past design trends. Retrofuturism creates a very stiff contrast that points to many exciting opportunities.

This trend has so many characteristics, like retro or classic design touches, grungy, faded aesthetics, futuristic design touches, rounded geometric shapes, energetic colors, and the appearance of machines and technology.

The HUD Design

In video gaming, the head-up display (HUD) is the design by which knowledge is visually related to the player as part of a game’s UI. The HUD is what’s presented on the screen while the player is in the game.

HUD design in presentation, download here.

In World War II, Head-Up Displays (HUDs) were designed originally to present the common viewpoints of the pilot the primary sensor data during aircraft missions.

Placing instrument information in the forward field of view can increase pilots’ ability to use both instrument and environmental data simultaneously. Time by time, this trend is increasingly spreading to the world of design and entertainment, such as Iron Man and Star Wars.

Every day that passes, screens of every shape and size are more and more visible in people’s lives. This trend also alters movies, television, and advertisement since these screens become necessary for telling a story.

In the presentation design trends 2021, HUD can show charts, statistics, and diagrams. This is just a prove that HUD design can be implemented not only for video games.

Maximalism

Sayonara, Minimalism! In 2021, let’s leave white space at the door and kiss Montserrat goodbye. Now is the time for clashing color patterns and mesmerizing motifs with their extravagance to take over the trend.

Maximalism in a presentation, download here.

Maximalism leaves our personality and experiences to reflect much more quickly than in a minimalistic space.

When it turns out to identify a maximalist space, some key aspects, such as layering, repetitive patterns in prints, rich and bold colors, mixing and matching textures and colors, have multiple items like books, statues, artworks, classic and eclectic styles combination.

“Maximalism is much more personal than minimalism, and this style is complicated and multifaceted decoration,” says Nicole Alexander, the principal interior designer behind the firm Siren Betty Design.

Maximalism is a noisy style that composes of mixed patterns. It is strongly contrary to minimalism which puts everything down to its simple minimum, and it encourages utilizing our space in the most striking way possible.

3D Emoji

3D Emojis are the now-universal pictographic style that allows designers to add emotion to their projects. The designer’s tone of voice at the end of the sentence is more popular.

Mainly, not only on social media like Snapchat, but Instagram emojis also encourage interaction. Nowadays, the use of 3D Emojis creates a reaction. They lighten the mood that all people need, and they communicate the primary feelings.

3D Emoji in a presentation, download here.

On those grounds, using 3D Emojis in design is possible to speed up over the next few years. It is time to get creative when something is universal. We need to be different from the creative and imaginative use of 3D emojis. We have the benefit that people know them and like them. Now, designers need to strain themselves outside their comfort zone but still keep the message clear.

10 Top Presentation Design Trends 2021, Bye Minimalism!
10 Top Presentation Design Trends 2021, Bye Minimalism!

Maybe you have never known why we should craft a presentation design seamlessly as professionals make it. Here we come up with the answers:

After checking out the list above, you better figure out some of the benefits by following those trends.

You will stand out

Agree that a great design is just as important as your suit in a presentation. It brings more confidence! Hence, once you can create the presentation design in its most legit way, you will present it 5 or 10 times better.

You will stay relevant

Who wants to watch something that is out of date? Showing that you care about design trends for presentation will build credibility. Picture yourself when you are still using the old format presentation; people will doubt your competency, for sure.

You will be remembered

People do forget easily about ordinary things. Also, you get to know that people will always crave something fresher and better by nature. Your audience will eventually recognize you by following those trends, and you will feed their shifting expectations.

There is nothing wrong with riding the wave of a trend! It is like supplying great design for your audience. However, the bottom line is back to your skills and expertise to present something. It is useless to neglect other factors like public speaking, mannerism, and mentality when performing in front of people.

See also: 2020 Best Presentation Design Trends

To sum up

Graphic design is all about developing the ordinary into something special. In those listicles, you might find presentation design trends 2021 that is not entirely accurate. In our opinion, it is not incorrect to predict what will be trending in 2021.

You can grab one of the best PowerPoint presentation designs from our marketplace. When you use our templates, you will save your working hours of making a design from zero. The top PowerPoint presentation design marketplace with unlimited downloads is now in your hand.

Let’s visit RRSlide to download free PowerPoint presentation templates with many categories. But wait, don’t go anywhere and stay here with our Blog to keep up-to-date on all the best pitch deck template collections and design advice from our PowerPoint experts yet to come!

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