Brands Are Ditching Minimalism – Is ‘Loud’ Design Making a Comeback?
- PAG
- Feb 25
- 2 min read
Updated: Apr 1

For years, brands have played it safe with minimalist design—neutral colors, sans-serif fonts, and clean, corporate aesthetics. But lately, something’s changing. Loud, chaotic, and personality-packed branding is making a comeback, and it’s showing up everywhere from packaging to digital campaigns.

Why Minimalism Took Over
Minimalism wasn’t just a design trend—it was a branding strategy. Brands went stripped-down to appear sleek, sophisticated, and universally appealing. It worked for Apple, it worked for Nike, and soon, everyone followed. But in the process, many brands became indistinguishable from one another. The result? A wave of brands that looked… the same.
Who’s Leading the Loud Design Movement?
Oatly’s ‘Loud & Playful Packaging’ Movement
In 2025, Oatly doubled down on maximalist, chaotic branding, turning its packaging and advertising into a visual playground of bold fonts, handwritten doodles, and quirky messaging. Instead of clean, corporate designs, Oatly’s cartoons are packed with conversational copy, playful contradictions, and self-aware humor—creating a brand identity that feels more human, rebellious, and unfiltered.

Burger King
Their bold rebrand ditched modern minimalism for a vibrant, retro-inspired identity packed with playful typography and a saturated color palette. It feels fresh yet nostalgic, standing out in the fast-food space.

Gucci
From maximalist fashion campaigns to surreal advertising visuals, Gucci has embraced loud storytelling to create immersive, high-impact brand moments. Their campaigns blur the line between art and commercial messaging.

Tony’s Chocolonely
From eye-catching packaging to mission-driven campaigns, Tony’s Chocolonely has embraced bold, maximalist storytelling to turn chocolate into a statement. Their branding is a riot of colors, oversized typography, and chaotic layouts, making every bar feel like a protest poster. But beyond the visuals, Tony’s uses its branding to educate, provoke, and challenge the industry, blurring the line between activism and commercial storytelling. Every design choice reinforces their mission—making ethical chocolate impossible to ignore.

What do we think about this?
Minimalism won’t disappear, but brands can’t rely on it as a default. The future of branding is about having a distinct voice—whether that’s loud and chaotic or quiet and refined, it has to be intentional. If everyone is still whispering, the ones who dare to be loud will get heard.
Branding today isn’t about fitting in—it’s about standing out. We’re entering an era where brands are turning up the volume, injecting more personality, and pushing creative boundaries. The question isn’t whether loud branding will last—it’s whether brands can afford to stay quiet.
So, next time you’re designing your brand’s identity, ask yourself: are you making a statement, or are you just another whisper in the crowd?
Thank you for spending time at the Trend Desk

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