10 2D Animation Trends Set to Dominate Marketing This Season

In a world where user attention is the ultimate currency, brands are in a constant battle for every glance. Static images and standard video formats just don’t cut it anymore. To break through the noise, you need a powerful tool that can surprise, engage, and tell compelling stories. That tool is 2D animation.

Today, animation is more than just "moving pictures"; it's a complete language for communicating with your audience. It allows you to visualize complex ideas, create unique worlds, and evoke strong emotions. We’ve analyzed the latest case studies and motion design trends to identify 10 key trends that will define commercial 2D animation in the near future. And if you're looking to apply these trends, our team at Lava Media is ready to help you create stunning 2D animation for your business needs.

2D & 3D Mashups: Creating a New Reality

This trend isn’t new, but it’s still going strong. Combining flat 2D characters and environments with volumetric 3D objects creates incredible depth and detail. This approach is perfect for product ads where you need to create a stylish, illustrated atmosphere while realistically showcasing the product itself.

Minimalism and Neo-Brutalism: The Power of Simplicity

In an age of visual overload, simplicity is a superpower. Minimalism in animation means clean colors, simple shapes, and a focus on what’s most important. This style often goes hand-in-hand with neo-brutalism, characterized by bold fonts, daring color combinations, and sharp, dynamic transitions. This kind of animation looks fresh, edgy, and is incredibly memorable.

Dynamic Typography: When Text Dances

In modern animation, text is no longer just for subtitles—it's a main character. Letters and words come alive: they appear, disappear, transform, and interact with objects, all set to sound effects. This technique is a fantastic way to hold viewer attention, which is crucial for short-form content like Reels and Shorts.

Collage and Scrapbooking: The Charm of Handcrafted Art

Our digital world has created a craving for tactile, physical materials. The collage and scrapbooking animation trend is the answer. Wrinkled paper textures, cutouts, and stationery elements create a warm, cozy, and handmade feel. It's a great way to play with composition and shapes, making your video truly captivating.

Futurism and Gradients: Nostalgia for the Future

Here’s another nostalgic trend, but this one looks back at past visions of the future. Bright, juicy gradients, sleek shapes, and a futuristic aesthetic are back in style. This look is widely used in both graphic and motion design to create a vibe that feels both vintage and ultra-modern at the same time.

Controlled Chaos: A Method to the Madness

Sometimes, you have to break the rules to get noticed. The chaos trend is a bold mix of different styles in a single video. It can combine 2D and 3D, dynamic fonts, simple illustrations, and bright, almost acidic colors. It’s visual anarchy, but it’s all held together by a clear creative vision.

Retro Style: The Film Photography Aesthetic

The film photo effect, vintage color palettes, and old-movie stylizations—the retro aesthetic has firmly planted itself in the world of motion design. This trend evokes a sense of nostalgia and creates a special, soulful atmosphere. It’s perfect for niche products and brands that want to emphasize their authenticity.

Stop-Motion: The Magic of Bringing Objects to Life

Product-focused stop-motion remains incredibly popular in advertising. This technique literally brings a product to life, showing it from unusual angles and creating imaginative transitions. Stop-motion is especially effective for advertising food, cosmetics, jewelry, and home decor.

Early Internet Aesthetics‍

Clunky 2000s websites, pixel art, and old-school computer interfaces—what once seemed outdated is now a hot trend. This aesthetic, popular in Gen Z culture, is being used to create ironic and viral videos that play on nostalgia and the cultural codes of the early digital age.

Glassmorphism and Liquid Animation

This trend came from the world of UI/UX design and has found a home in motion graphics. Translucent "glassy" panels, soft shadows, and smooth, responsive animation create a feeling of lightness, tech-savviness, and premium quality. It's no wonder this style is so beloved by tech giants like Apple and Google.

Ultimately, the right animation style depends on your brand’s goals and audience. But one thing is certain: to get noticed today, you can’t be afraid to experiment. If you’re ready to integrate these trends into your marketing strategy, the team at Lava Media is ready to tell your brand’s story in a vibrant and dynamic visual language. Learn more about our professional 2D animation services and let's create a video that will win over your audience.