A month into 2022 and things are feeling a little… different. Maybe it’s a collective resolution to be more creative or a general hope for better days ahead. Whatever the reason, the Picsart community has majorly stepped up this year.
To keep the positive momentum going, we asked our Global Head of Brand, Shachar Aylon, to share his reflections on the top post-pandemic style trends dominating 2022. We hope it inspires you to feed your inner creator. If you’re just getting into creative trends, check out our new eBook: The Top 10 Creative and Design Trends of 2022.
Onwards and upwards.
Nostalgia Rules with Retro Interfaces
Whether it’s because we’ve all been yearning for simpler times (because, well, reasons) or just because we dig the look, retro-inspired visuals that mimic the early days of technology have continued to surge in popularity this year. And we’ll see more digital designs inspired by first-gen Microsoft icons, Apple computers and old-school video games, alongside more images and videos that look like they were taken on the disposable cameras, Polaroids and VHS camcorders of the ’70s, ’80s and ’90s. The retro aesthetic is one of the hottest photo editing trends of the moment and it shows no sign of dissipating.
Neon Glow-Up
Neon is another trend that started up again last year, and in 2021 there has been an even bigger LED revival. Highlighter-inspired colors and fluorescent accents reign supreme and serve as an instant, eye-catching mood-booster. Choose neon-clad stickers from the Picsart editing tools for an easy way to add a pop of electricity to your content.
Humor Is The New Coping Mechanism
Over the past year or so people spent more time online than ever before for work, play and connection with others. One thing that brought us together and soothed our woes: funny memes. Memes have helped us see the humor in the horror and to deal with existential crises plaguing us all. Memes will continue to grow as a common form of art, comedy and language.
Traveling (Virtually) to Infinity and Beyond 
Cosmic edits are back, and for good reason – what better way to take a break from reality than with a quick trip to outer space? This year, there are no limits. As we wait for space tourism to become a real thing (for those of us who aren’t billionaires…), we’ll see images edited with celestial galaxies, surrealist moonscapes, and astrological signs.
Natural Beauty
During shelter-in-place, many of us turned to the outdoors for recreation, socializing and stress relief. As we emerge from home, grounded garden parties are the new social aesthetic. Instead of elaborate sets and props, photoshoots are stripped down and take place in nature. We’ve turned our moodboards to focus on organic elements like golden hour light, trendy nature-inspired color palettes, and botanical patterns for beauty, inspiration, and well-being.
Pro tip: If you’ve never created a moodboard before then there’s no time like the present. Learn how to create your own moodboard in this tutorial blog post.
Cause-Driven Carousel Posts
Last year, creative platforms were used to educate others like never before. And social justice on social media is here to stay. We’ll continue to see colorful carousel posts about important issues facing our world all over our social media feeds, and we’ll be more informed because of it.
Designer Digital Decor
As our physical spaces became limited, customizing our virtual spaces emerged as a new form of personal expression. Post-pandemic style trends has seen even more custom digital decor like wallpapers, app icons, and video chat backgrounds, reflecting our personal style. The editing styles change with our moods, the seasons, and the holidays too. Luckily, it’s never been easier to create your own phone wallpaper.
No-Edit Editing
Non-detectable editing and visual authenticity has been a top trend in 2021. Edits are minimal, and focused on subtle enhancements. The overall vibe is low-maintenance. As we return to the office and our normal lives after a long time spent without makeup and in yoga pants, we’re looking for a balance between the two with style and design that’s minimalist and a true representation of our homes, our daily lives and our authentic selves.
Break Through with Bold Lettering
As mentioned, we spent more time online than ever before, meaning it can be harder than ever to break through the noise and be heard. That’s why chunky, personality-filled, extra-loud fonts are so huge this year (literally). Be bold, and let your typeface scream and shout.
Back to Black (and White)
While it never truly went out of fashion, classic black and white has been back with a bang in post-pandemic style trends. Black and white images have an unparalleled ability to convey serious subjects in an impactful manner. It’s cinematic, it’s dramatic, and it says so much with so little.
Create at the Speed of Culture
Picsart is a full ecosystem of free-to-use content, powerful tools, and creator inspiration. With a billion downloads and more than 150 million monthly active creators, Picsart is the world’s largest creative platform. Picsart has collaborated with major artists and brands like BLACKPINK, Taylor Swift, the Jonas Brothers, Lizzo, Ariana Grande, Jennifer Lopez, One Direction, Sanrio: Hello Kitty, Warner Bros. Entertainment, iHeartMedia, Condé Nast, and more. Download the app or start editing on web today to enhance your photos and videos with thousands of quick and easy editing tools, trendy filters, fun stickers, and brilliant backgrounds. Unleash your creativity and upgrade to Gold for premium perks!
