Attracting loyal customers through effective branding is no easy feat. It requires a delicate balance of trust, loyalty, convenience, and entertainment. When done right, good brand design attracts the attention of potential customers, fosters an emotional connection between consumers and businesses, and builds trust by providing real value. But when done poorly, the bad brand design fails in its purpose and serves only to confuse or mislead consumers.
Trying to figure out your brand from scratch is a daunting task. It's enough to make you feel like you're in over your head. But it doesn't have to be that way. You don't need thousands of dollars, a marketing degree, or design skills to create a great brand for your business. With a little time and effort, you can build a solid foundation that will give your company long-term success. To get you started, we are sharing branding trends that you should follow in 2022:
- Purpose-Driven Brands
Purpose-driven brands are already out there. But tomorrow's most successful businesses will be those that go the extra mile to clearly demonstrate how they're making the world a better place. This doesn't mean they have to describe their purpose in a heavy-handed, corporate sort of way. Instead, it's about offering a point of view that consumers can relate to — one that shows a brand is more than just another company trying to make money. Nielsen's research shows that consumers are more engaged with brands that have a cause. In fact, 83% of millennials say they are more likely to buy from brands with a purpose and over half believe brands must be socially responsible in order to attract their loyalty. The brands that will win in 2022 will be those who inspire loyalty and build trust by making the world better.
- Branded Memes
Memes are an incredibly popular form of social media communication, and they’re becoming more and more mainstream. They can be used as a way to respond to relevant topics, or simply to inject some humor into your marketing efforts. The best part is that they are extremely easy to create. If you don’t have the time or money to invest in high-production videos or blogs, memes are an excellent choice. All it takes is a quick scan of the internet for a picture and some text, and you’re ready to start experimenting with your own meme content. What’s more, memes are not bound by language or culture. They transcend these boundaries seamlessly without losing their meaning. This means that no matter what language your audience speaks, they can still understand and relate to your content.
- Retro Designs
We have seen a lot of trends come and go in the design world, but nostalgia is a trend that is sticking around. From logo designs to print ads, retro and vintage style branding seems to be everywhere. Retro design takes elements from the past and combines them with modern aesthetics and techniques to create a cohesive look that brings back memories and creates a sense of nostalgia. This style is often nostalgic in nature, playing off of popular trends in the past such as vintage photos, bold colors, hand-drawn graphics, and clashing patterns. The style can play off of specific events or pop culture references from decades past. By applying a vintage theme, your brand takes on a unique identity that makes it more memorable and helps make your product or service stick out among other competitors. This trend is not going anywhere soon, so it's time to hop on board.
- Hybrid Events
In the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, there was a rise in virtual events, where consumers could interact with brands virtually. This is particularly true when it comes to travel-related events and experiences: what better way to see a new country than from the comfort of your own home? In 2022, we expect that many people will still prefer the virtual, as opposed to the real-life experience. In fact, we will see a rise in mixed-reality events that combine both live and virtual components: live videos and short Zoom-style workshops paired with in-person activations and experiences. These live virtual events can be short experiences that allow consumers to try a product or service, or they can be longer experiences that are part entertainment and part education.
What began as a way to create consistency, branding has evolved over the years into a powerful marketing element. Nowadays, there’s no excuse not to pay attention to your branding. Your business needs to be able to grow and change with the times. Sometimes, this means you have to rebrand! Whether you are a new company looking for a fresh start or an established company updating its brand, these branding trends will help your business succeed in 2022.