The graphic design industry thrives on innovation and evolving client demands, and currently it’s been through some major shakeups concerning changes in the business models as well as purely technological advancements. The traditional approach to graphic design is undergoing a major shift as many designers continue to work from home, and small studios pop up in larger numbers. In addition, technology has birthed advanced design tools and AI. This technological leap allows designers to produce, communicate, and deliver work at unprecedented speeds. One of the most significant trends is the ‘design subscription’ model. Client demands have only reached new highs in terms of expectation, while deadlines grow shorter, which leaves designers in a bind to meet these demands. This model, where clients pay a fixed monthly fee for unlimited design work, has seen widespread adoption. While this model boasts financial benefits, it has sparked some confusion and potential dissatisfaction among clients. While some hope the design subscription trend will fade, others, are finding success with alternative approaches such as ‘brand sprints,’ where designers offer a single service at a fixed price. This model involves designing and delivering a new brand identity within two weeks for a flat fee. This has been wildly popular with startup clients, who can get to market quickly with a high-end identity that’s more affordable. Environmental responsibility is increasingly influencing design trends, particularly in packaging. With climate change on everyone’s mind, brands are adopting sustainable practices, experimenting with package-less packaging, edible packaging, and paper-pulp outers, which comes with their own unique creative challenges for designers. As the industry becomes smaller, thus a lot more competitive, designers are pushed to elevate their work, convey brand messaging, and storytelling in a way that stands out above the rest. These sustainable practices require designers to innovate continually, finding new ways to ensure that brand messages remain clear.