8 Creative Trends We Noticed in 2022
Reading Time: 4 minutes2022 has been a good year for creatives. Here are the trends we couldn’t ignore.
Each year, creative fields undergo significant changes. However, you could put a good case forward that 2022 has been the most transformative year in photography, graphic design, and so on.
Technology is becoming more integrated with the creative sector, and social media has also evolved significantly over this year. If you were unable to keep up with everything, don’t worry; we’ve got you covered.
In this article, you’ll discover eight of the biggest creative trends in 2022.
1. Short-Form Video Isn’t Going Anywhere
Perhaps the biggest creative trend in 2022 was the continued shift toward short-form video. If one thing is clear, this type of content isn’t going away—and learning how to make the most of it would be smart.
TikTok’s popularity has continued to grow across many parts of the world, and Instagram has made a significant push toward making Reels a core part of its ecosystem. YouTube Shorts are another way that creators have been able to produce short-form content, and many users are taking advantage of the $100 million Shorts fund launched in 2021.
If you want to grow your social media networks in 2023, adding short-form videos as a part of your strategy is a good idea. You can use tools like Adobe Premiere Pro to create Reels, TikTok videos, and Shorts—along with several other software solutions.
2. More People Are Listening to Podcasts
Podcasts’ continued rise in popularity doesn’t seem like it’s ending anytime soon. While YouTube is an established platform for creators looking to learn new skills, podcasts provide an opportunity to get to learn from others through interesting conversations. On top of that, they’re also a great way to connect with your favorite creators.
Many creatives have launched their own podcasts, too. Besides being a handy way to have intriguing conversations, they’re also great for sharing valuable thoughts and insights on current trends.
If you’re considering jumping on the bandwagon and starting a podcast, you can use tools like Adobe Audition to edit your project.
3. Graphic Designers Are Opting for More Neutral Colors
For much of the 2010s, many graphic designers opted for bold colors that made it easy to stand out. Like any popular trend, more people latched on. Now, it seems like some individuals are moving in the opposite direction. Several factors could have contributed to this, such as popular minimalist designs and more people looking for authenticity.
White, gray, black, and brown are some of those colors that many graphic designers are opting for. These are often easier on the eye, and they allow the creator to make their main subject or message stand out.
4. A Minimalist Approach to Owning Equipment
Speaking of minimalism, many creators are adopting this approach when it comes to owning equipment. While having many cameras and lenses is handy in many situations, it also causes numerous problems. Decision fatigue is one of those, and keeping everything organized is another.
Throughout 2022, we saw many creators downsizing their equipment. With a focus on the essentials, creating content became much easier and involved less mental space.
Some creators opted to rent the equipment they needed, whereas others traded in their old stuff. If you’re looking for new gear and you’re a photographer, you can try several second-hand photography websites.
5. Looking for Instagram Social Media Alternatives
To say that Instagram has changed significantly over 2022 would be an understatement. And while many changes have been good, not everyone has felt that way. Many creatives, from photographers to graphic designers and writers, have become disgruntled and thought about alternatives.
Though Twitter has had a transformative year, it has become more popular with some creators. Platforms like VERO also returned to the spotlight, while the likes of Behance also offer viable alternatives for sharing different kinds of creative work.
At the very least, the number of changes to Instagram has shown that it’s important not to rely on one social media network. Instead, diversify where your audience can connect with you.
6. The Shift Away From a Curated Instagram Feed
If you looked at Instagram growth advice online from the late 2010s, many articles and videos would have told you to focus on a curated feed. And while doing this still works for some people, that advice isn’t as relevant as it once was.
Perhaps the main reason many users no longer have a curated Instagram feed is Reels. Creating short-form content can be time-consuming enough, but making it consistent with the rest of the feed is another layer of work.
Many users might also be opting against the curated Instagram feed because they don’t want to feel constrained by what they can and cannot post. For many, providing value is more important than aesthetics alone.
7. Artificial Intelligence
It’s hard to ignore talks about AI in most industries, and the creative field is no different. Whether you’re an illustrator, a designer, or something else, you almost certainly had AI on your mind in 2022.
AI has made significant progress, and you might have noticed more people using AI-designed images in multiple areas—including for YouTube thumbnails. AI has also helped people write video scripts, and much, much more.
Creators should consider using AI as part of their creative process. It’s important to remember, however, that original creative ideas still require some human input.
8. Branching Out to Multiple Disciplines
Focusing only on one discipline is difficult if you have multiple interests. And if you’re one of those people who likes doing multiple things, you may well have found 2022 to be a great year. We’re seeing more creators focus on more than one discipline—for example, some YouTubers have become podcasters.
This trend was already ongoing before 2022, but it seems like it has sped up this year. Part of this might be due to how uncertain the world is right now, which has resulted in an increased importance on being adaptable. For some people, it might also be to make themselves more valuable in the creative market.
2022 Has Been a Significant Year of Change in the Creative Sector
Over 2022, we’ve seen significant changes in multiple creative disciplines. And while many have complained about some of these, others have sought to discover new growth opportunities. Short-form videos are still gaining traction, and we’re seeing many creators start to embrace this trend.
AI has also been a key talking point, and many users are looking at how they can use the technology to their advantage. Meanwhile, other creators are looking at which social media platforms are worth trying out.