Digital art has become increasingly popular in recent years, and more and more digital artists showcase and sell their art online. This post features the hottest digital art trends of 2022 that you mustn’t miss out on! Whether it’s product design, web design, 3D and UI design, or even interior and package design, these digital art trends impact all spheres of the art world!
Digital art has become more and more popular in recent years, and in 2022 the world has become even more digitized than ever. As most of us had to stay at home for longer periods of time, we all made increasing use of technology to work, connect with each other, seek creative inspiration, and order beautiful things to surround us with.
Also the art world has embraced digitalism more than ever. Many artists – whether new or coming from traditional media – have switched to creative digital tools and there’s been a significant spike in digital art sales!
Related: [TOP 12] Best Websites To Sell Art Online 2022
NFTs (non-fungible tokens of artwork created on blockchain technology) have made a big buzz in 2021 and they are booming this year as well! But there’s much more…
Here are the HOTTEST Digital Art Trends of 2022:
What are the digital art trends in 2022?
Digital art is a very broad field (here are 13 different types of digital art you shouldn’t forget to check out) and has quite a number of advantages over traditional art.
That’s why more and more artists are starting to create art on their computers! If you want to join the trend, you can find out how to teach yourself digital art here.
The world is changing, technology is evolving, and the digital art trends of 2022 are reflecting this development. Perhaps as a reaction to the restrictions we’ve all been facing during the last two years, digital art has become more bold, unrestrained, and experimental.
While new trends are developing constantly, old trends are seeing a revival, affecting all types of design, including 3D and UI design, product and web design, as well as interior design.
With that said, let’s dive in and let’s see what kind of digital art is trending in 2022!
Top 14 Digital Art Trends In 2022
#1 Digital Art Trend 2022: Crypto & NFT Art
Crypto and NFTs were a huge digital art trend in 2021 and continue to grow in popularity throughout the current year. As an increasing number of people are discovering the advantages of cryptocurrencies, more and more mainstream artists are creating their own non-fungible tokens of artwork.
In 2022, NFTs are not only one of the hottest digital art trends of the year, but also the most lucrative!
The so far most expensive NFT artwork called ‘The Merge’ sold for almost US$100 million on Nifty Gateway.
Another example is Beeple’s ‘Everydays’, a piece of digital collage art that sold for over US$69 million.
Do you want to start creating NFTs as well? Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and Corel Painter are some of the best apps for crypto art. There are also special apps, such as NFT Creator, which is available for iOS devices. Check out more software to create NFT art here.
#2 Digital Art Trend 2022: 2D / 3D Mash-Ups
2D and 3D mash-ups can be mixed media works and photo manipulations, or a combination of the two. As such, mash-ups offer limitless possibilities, allowing artists to mix both digital and physical elements.
2022 has seen highly creative mash-ups from hyper-realistic 3D visuals to 2D creations mixed with paper cutouts. This digital art trend of 2022 combines the best of both worlds!
‘Piercing I‘ from my Lip Service Collection combines actual plants, 3D wasps, and 2D photography.
Do you feel inspired to create mash-ups yourself? One of the best software programs to do so is Adobe Photoshop. If you are ok with a slightly stripped down version that is less costly and available for a one-time payment, check out Photoshop Elements.
Here you can find more software options for photo manipulation (both paid & free), and you can even create photo manipulations on your iPhone!
#3 Digital Art Trend 2022: Candy Colors
Candy colors are living a comeback in 2022, as they already were a huge trend in the 1970s when lowbrow art started to emerge.
Vibrant, eye-catching colors have the potential to make your artwork stand out. That’s why they are picking up steam in digital art, web design, and also UI design.
‘Zuckerwatte‘ – an artwork in the lowbrow style not only with candy colors but *real* candy, too!
Pastel colors are still en vogue, but candy colors are bold and striking, spreading lots of positivity during these strange and unpredictable times.
It’s easier to work with a specific color palette, if you are a bit familiar with color theory. To help you get started, you can dive into the nitty-gritty by learning what high-key means in art.
#4 Digital Art Trend 2022: Glass & Crystals
Glass is an all-time favorite in digital design. At the beginning of 2021, the trend was booming with a style called ‘glassmorphism’.
It became especially popular in UI design, with both Apple and Microsoft using semi-transparent frosted glass buttons in their interfaces of macOS Big Sur and Windows 11, respectively.
The frosted glass trend has spilled over to other disciplines, including product and packaging design. Great apps to create such items are Adobe Illustrator, Affinity Photo, and Affinity Designer.
A ‘frosted glass’ tutorial for Affinity Photo and Affinity Designer by Justin Sijbolts on Behance.
During the past months, this trend has inspired artists to create glass- and crystal-like artworks, including 2D and 3D illustration and animation.
#5 Digital Art Trend 2022: ‘90s Nostalgia
The ‘90s Nostalgia style is another digital art trend that has made it back into 2022!
Neon colors, bold shapes, and emojis that we already know from the Memphis Design are conquering mainstream digital art again.
’90s Nostalgia design by Salmorejo Studio on Dribbble.
Video and audio cassettes, polaroid cameras, floppy disks, and the Rubik’s Cube call up fond childhood memories in everyone who lived during the nineties!
#6 Digital Art Trend 2022: Bubble Design
Bubble design is something we know from comic strips, but the new trend is nothing to do with childish glee!
Rounded graphics and bubble shapes have made their way into products for grown-ups and even brand design in 2022.
Bubble design project titled CU Brand eXperience Brand Renewal on Behance.
Elongated forms and psychedelic colors are in line with the bold design patterns that are trending this year, while the bubble shapes convey the typical friendliness and positivity!
#7 Digital Art Trend 2022: Anti‐Design
More and more artists are breaking the rules that established over the last decade. The strict visual requirements of apps and user interfaces taught us to focus on usability and follow rigid design rules.
However, these conventions led to a uniformity across digital platforms that soon started to get boring.
Now, anti-designers are bending the rules creating things that most mainstreamers would consider ugly. But asymmetric shapes, clashing colors, busy compositions, and bold typography are one of the digital art trends in 2022!
#8 Digital Art Trend 2022: Maximalism
I’m sure you are all familiar with minimalism that conquered interior design and other disciplines over the last years. While minimalism keeps the design simple and the elements few, maximalism is exactly the opposite.
Maximalism is all about filling space with a lot of objects, clashing colors, and bold fonts, leaving as little blank space as possible.
When we look at all the other digital art trends of 2022 with their bold design, it’s no surprise that maximalism is on the rise as well!
#9 Digital Art Trend 2022: 3D Characters
3D characters are fun to create and they’ve been with us for a long time. But 3D design is becoming more and more widespread these days, not least because of free sculpting apps like Blender.
3D character design by VAGO on Dribbble.
Characters are an easy way to convey emotions and create brand awareness. This 3D design trend has made it into all areas, including websites and product packaging.
3D character design by aldi sigun on Unsplash.
The three-dimensional creatures can look playful and cartoon-like, or hyper-realistic in a way that they are almost indistinguishable from real persons.
Professional 3D designers use programs like Autodesk Maya, ZBrush and Cinema 4D to model and render life-like objects and characters.
Hyper-realistic 3D character design by Artfrey on CGSociety.
Want to become a digital artist?
#10 Digital Art Trend 2022: Escapism
The last two years forced all of us to stay more at home, and visual escapism developed as a counter-movement to the indoor confinement.
Designers use their digital tools to escape the stay-at-home orders by creating soothing landscapes and paradise-like places.
Visual Escapism by Mue Studio on Dribbble.
Soft colors and tempting settings fuel our imagination and take us to nature-inspired, yet surreal worlds.
Do you want to create your own virtual place of refuge? You can do that using Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, Affinity Designer, or Affinity Photo!
#11 Digital Art Trend 2022: Psychedelic Design
Psychedelic design first came up in the 1960s as an expressive outlet for the social unrest and drug trips artists were experiencing at the time.
The swirling abstract patterns and vivid colors have already made several comebacks over time, and they are trending again in 2022!
Now, psychedelic design is rather an artistic style to express open-mindedness and a receptiveness for new and unconventional forms of design rather than a reflection of psychedelic drug consumption.
#12 Digital Art Trend 2022: Art Deco
The Art Deco style is another digital art trend that made its comeback in the current year. As opposed to the other styles we talked about above, art deco is all about symmetry, geometry, and aesthetically pleasing design.
Art Deco appeared first at the beginning of the 20th century as a direct response to the Art Nouveau and old conventions. It embodies modernism, innovation, and resilience. Exactly what we need during these times!
#13 Digital Art Trend 2022: Riso Print Style
Risograph printing originated in Japan in 1946. It uses vivid colors, a limited palette, and intentional imperfections. Back in the day, it required a special printer that was able to layer one translucent color at the time.
However, nowadays it’s absolutely possible to create this retro print style in Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator, or Affinity Photo and Designer.
This is why we see the Riso Print style trending again in 2022! Artists and designers use it to create colorful abstract artworks, posters, and commercial advertisements.
#14 Digital Art Trend 2022: Inclusive Design
In the era of globalization, our world has continuously been growing together. We all seem to realize that we have so many things in common, regardless of culture, age, gender, education, etc.
As more and more social prejudices are falling apart, inclusive art reflects this movement. In 2022, artists are using this trend to portray our society’s diversity.
Inclusive Design by Jason Roy on Dribbble.
Digital interfaces that prioritize inclusive design can positively impact the user experience by creating a sense of belonging among all of us! The diversity avatars below, for example, were created in Adobe Illustrator.
The best apps to create digital art in a nutshell:
Adobe Photoshop
The go-to app for all digital creators. Photoshop is a great choice for professional artists, budding designers, and novice hobbyists alike. Get Adobe Photoshop on desktop and iPad with a free 7-day trial.
Adobe Photoshop Elements
Adobe Illustrator
Affinity Photo
Affinity Photo is a powerful, low-cost image editor and a serious competitor to Photoshop. You can get Affinity Photo for a one-time payment of US$49.99. Before making your purchase, you can try the software free for 30 days.
Affinity Designer
Affinity Designer is an award-winning vector graphics software for creating concept art, logos, icons, UI designs, and other illustrations. At US$ 54.99, it is an affordable alternative to Adobe Illustrator that also comes with a free 30-day trial.
Corel Painter
Autodesk Maya
Autodesk Maya is professional 3D software for creating realistic characters and physically accurate visual effects. Autodesk Maya is used by companies like Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures Inc. for creating their animation films.
ZBrush
Cinema 4D
Cinema 4D is sophisticated software for 3D computer animation, modeling, simulation, and rendering. It's fast and flexible, but also intuitive and is easy to learn, and therefore a great option for beginners, too.
(All images displayed in this post are copyright to their respective owners and solely used for educational purposes.)
