SEATTLE, WASHINGTON / ACCESS Newswire / February 17, 2026 / Each year, Creative Market brings together marketplace insights, cultural signals, and their Curation Team's unique perspective to surface what's taking hold in the world of visual design. Their newest trend report, Next in Design 2026, offers a curated perspective on the aesthetics shaping everything from branding and packaging to content creation and product UI. This year's forecast is textured, human, and emotionally charged, reflecting a broader shift in visual design toward intention, imperfection, and individuality.
"This year's trends point to a renewed appreciation for work that feels intentional and deeply personal," said Adrien Piro, Chief Executive Officer at Creative Market. "Designers are exposing their handiwork: leaning into texture, irregularity, and emotion. All elements that remind us there's a person behind every pixel. Who crafted this graphic? What motivates them? How does that show in their work? These are all questions we expect to become more important in 2026."
The Seven Trends Defining 2026
Rococo Romance
Ornate textures, lace, vintage objects, and romantic linework return as layered, editorial compositions where decoration becomes the message.
Peak Journal
Design turns diaristic, blending stamps, handwriting, tape, and paper fragments into personal, collected layouts built for storytelling.
Slowly Knit
Craft-forward aesthetics draw from lacework, cross-stitch, heirloom florals, and textile textures to celebrate slowness and visible care.
Glasscore
Blur, glow, liquid gradients, and translucent layers create a soft-futurist look defined by depth, motion, and atmospheric restraint.
Director's Cut
Cinematic layouts channel title cards and paused film frames through soft serifs, grain, and emotionally driven composition.
Gumball Memories
Candy wrappers, toy graphics, sticker shapes, and junk-drawer chaos form a bright, collectible visual language rooted in nostalgia and joy.
Hand-Drawn Revival
Sketchbook lines, imperfect doodles, and illustrated systems bring warmth, character, and clear authorship back into focus.
A Resource for Designers and Brands Worldwide
Creative Market's Next in Design forecast is a practical tool for creative teams looking to stay relevant. Whether you're refreshing a brand, building social content, or planning seasonal campaigns, this guide offers clear visual direction backed by marketplace behavior.
To read the full report and explore handpicked products aligned with each trend, visit creativemarket.com/trends
About Creative Market
Creative Market is the one-stop marketplace for design assets. From fonts to themes, graphics to templates, we provide creative professionals with the tools they need to bring their visions to life.
For more information, please visit Creative Market.
Contact Information
Laura Busche
press@creativemarket.com
SOURCE: Creative Market
View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:
https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/computers-technology-and-internet/the-future-of-design-creative-market-releases-2026-trend-forecast-1135565
