The metaverse, psychedelic art, and Y2K aesthetics: International experts define creative trends for 2022

Forecasting future trends

Depositphotos, an international content platform, has released its annual creative trends forecast. "Creative Trends 2022: Merging the future and the past" examining how creative communication has changed and what brands and content creators can expect in the coming year.

What's new for 2022?

The metaverse and total immersion will be key directions in creative communication. With the help of AR and VR technologies, digital spaces will become even more realistic.

Well-thought-out 3D elements and motion graphics will take interactivity to a whole new level, and create an even greater presence through high-quality audio-visual and tactile interaction. AI-generated music evolves rapidly, allowing brands and creators to provide their audience with a hyper-personalized experience. Background tracks in creative projects, websites, and apps will adapt to the taste or mood of the user.

At the same time, playful and bold motifs of the 70s, and experiments with psychedelic art in the digital sphere will gain popularity again. In design and photography, nostalgia for the 2000s encourages the use of pastel color palettes, retro-futuristic motifs with glossy effects, and film-like processing.

"2022 is the year of contrast, where the future stands side by side with the past. It's a time when AI-generated music and the metaverse gain momentum to elevate user experience. On the other hand, content creators turn to 2000s aesthetics and 70s psychedelic art to better connect with their audience through nostalgia. This duality is a powerful tool in the creative's hands. It is what creates new perspectives and inspires unique projects", says Maria Sibirtseva, content team lead at Depositphotos.

To provide the audience with even more unique insights, the Depositphotos team involved creators and industry leaders with the project. Opinions were shared by: Megan Dell, director of design at 99designs by Vista; Lore Oxford, global head of cultural insights at We Are Social; Antoine P. Kostadinoff, design director at Dogstudio; Paul Zgordan, chief content officer at Mubert Inc, artist, producer, and consultant; Froyo Tam, transmedia artist and curator who co-runs Y2K Aesthetic Institute; Rebeccah Pailes-Friedman, IDSA founder and principal, Interwoven Design Group, LLC; David Wehmeyer, an artist; Synchrodogs, a duo of art directors and photographers.

Credits

Marketing Director: Alina Volchek
Creative Director: Tati Timoshenko
Content Team Leader / Creative Copywriter: Maria Sibirtseva
PR Director / Brand Manager: Anastasiia Fed-Titova
Project design: Crevv (Art director - Anton Ivanov)
Designers: Lurii Cherkashyn, Elena Kovalenko