Visual Identity Trends for 2026

Feb 2

Treebird Branding Client: OKay Anny’s, Branding

How modern brands are designing for clarity, flexibility, and growth

Searches for branding trends and visual identity trends continue to rise, but following trends without strategy often leads to short-lived results.

In 2026, strong brands are not chasing novelty. They are building systems that work across platforms, formats, and growth stages.

Flexible visual identity systems

Modern branding is less about a single logo and more about a complete visual system.

Strong visual identity systems include:

Logos that scale and adapt
Secondary marks and icons
Defined layout rules
Consistent color and contrast usage
Assets designed for digital, social, and physical environments

If a logo only works in one context, the identity is incomplete.

Typography as a core brand asset

Typography is playing a larger role in brand recognition and usability.

Brands are prioritizing:

Legibility across screens and environments
Type systems that support motion and digital use
Consistent hierarchy for clarity and navigation

Typography choices directly affect accessibility, user experience, and brand perception.

Texture, contrast, and human detail

Minimalism is evolving. Brands are reintroducing texture, layering, and contrast while maintaining discipline.

This shows up through:

Illustration and custom graphics
Mixed media elements
Purposeful imperfection
Thoughtful use of photography and motion

The goal is distinction, not decoration.

Evolution over reinvention

Many established brands are choosing subtle updates instead of full redesigns.

Incremental changes protect brand equity while improving relevance. This approach supports long-term recognition and search visibility.

The practical takeaway

The right question is not whether a design trend is popular.

The right question is whether your visual identity:

Is recognizable
Is usable across platforms
Supports consistency and growth

Trends shift. Strong brand systems hold.

Jaci Lund

Jaci Lund partner, creative director, designer Jaci’s quick wit and native intelligence comes across as soon as you meet her—and carries over to her design, where she fuses fun and sophistication in just the right doses. With a dual focus on creating original branding for new concepts and revitalizing the look and feel of even the most-established brands, Jaci approaches each project with a fresh and thoughtful perspective. While she recognizes the relevance of current trends, she’s hyper-conscious of the fine line that separates “trend” from “fad,” and tends toward more timeless and classic looks for her clients. Before founding Treebird, Jaci was instrumental in growing the design department at Atlanta’s The Reynolds Group, Inc. Through a five-year tenure that saw her quickly ascend to senior designer and then become the company’s first creative director, Jaci worked on design and branding projects with visionaries, entrepreneurs, and business leaders whom she admires greatly and whose own passion elevates her sense of what’s possible through new design, branding, and communication. Jaci has won nine ADDY Awards (and counting) for her design and branding work and has twice been featured in the national design blog “Art of the Menu.” She holds a B.A. in communications from Michigan State University and completed the graphic design program at The Creative Circus, where she also teaches a quarterly course called “Introduction to Creative Thinking.” To see Jaci's previous work please visit jacilund.com.

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