Rahul Awasthi, a seasoned designer with 10+ years of experience, has crafted impactful design strategies for top brands like Times Internet, OLX India, and Justdial. He believes that design is more than aesthetics—it’s about creating meaningful experiences that connect people to brands on a deeper level.
Hello, Designers!
It’s amazing to see how much design has changed over the years. I often find myself thinking about the way things used to be—when we worked with traditional tools like pen and paper, creating beautiful visuals by hand. Fast forward to now, and we’re in a world of digital-first design where everything is done on computers, and our tools have evolved so much that it’s hard to imagine designing without them.
I’ve been chatting with some of my fellow designers, and we all seem to ask the same question: Where is design heading next? So today, I want to take you through a journey of how design has evolved and what might come next.
From Paper to Pixels
Back in the day, design was all about traditional art—think posters, typography, and branding done by hand. Designers would spend hours drawing, painting, and crafting layouts. It was a slower, more deliberate process, but the foundation of everything we do today can be traced back to those early principles. Balance, contrast, and symmetry were key, and they remain just as important now.
Then, came the digital shift. When computers entered the scene, everything changed. Tools like Photoshop and Illustrator gave us the power to create faster and experiment more. Suddenly, what took days could now be done in hours, and the possibilities became endless. Designing for print turned into designing for the web, and we had to adapt quickly to a world where screens, not paper, were our canvas.
The UX/UI Revolution
Fast forward to the internet era, and it wasn’t just about how things looked—it was about how they worked. That’s where UX (User Experience) and UI (User Interface) design came into play. We started thinking more about the user and how they interacted with websites, apps, and digital products. The challenge wasn’t just to make things pretty, but to make them functional and easy to navigate.
What’s Next?
So, what does the future hold? We’re already seeing a rise in AI-assisted design and tools that help automate the more repetitive parts of our jobs. But don’t worry—AI isn’t here to take over our work. It’s here to free us up so we can focus on what we do best: being creative.
In 2025, I see design becoming even more immersive. With the growth of 3D design, virtual reality, and augmented reality, we’re going to be creating experiences that engage users in ways we couldn’t have imagined before. It’s an exciting time to be a designer!
So, what’s next for you in this evolving world of design?
Liked this post? Check out our guide on ‘How Visual Design Tells a Powerful Story‘ to elevate your design skills further!
