How do you navigate the challenge of designing items that need to be fashionable today but also timeless enough to stay relevant?

Balancing trendiness with timelessness is a constant challenge in design. I approach this by focusing on classic silhouettes and quality materials. While I incorporate current trends like bold colors or unique textures, I always make sure the core design is strong and versatile. For example, a simple, well-fitted t-shirt can be dressed up or down and will remain stylish for years to come. It's all about finding that perfect balance between timeless elegance and modern flair.

Designing items that balance contemporary appeal with timelessness involves these strategies:

1. Focus on Simplicity: Use clean, minimal designs that avoid fleeting trends. Timeless designs often have a universal and enduring quality.
2. Incorporate Classic Elements: Include enduring shapes, patterns, or color schemes, such as neutral tones or geometric forms, that rarely go out of style.
3. Blend Trends Subtly: Add trendy elements sparingly, ensuring they can easily evolve or be updated without losing the design’s core appeal.
4. Prioritize Quality: Use durable materials and high-quality finishes to give items a premium, lasting feel.
5. Emphasize Brand Story: Root the design in a strong narrative or core values, which will remain relevant even as styles change.
6. Test Versatility: Ensure the design complements a variety of contexts, wardrobes, or uses, enhancing its longevity.

That's actually a really good question, which I feel has more to do with classic art and design principles, than it has with purely fashion and merch design.

In other words, I would say that a shirt design that is created with good composition, layout, balance, color harmony and so on (besides a good concept, naturally) will always look good, no matter the fashion of that period.

We also live in a very interesting period, where the current young generation actually doesn't follow trends as much as the others before. The rise of thrifting and vintage clothing makes it possible that people will wear graphic shirts from the 80s, 90s, 2000s and so on, no matter their origins. As long as the design is solid, there's a very high chance that it will be timeless.

Another aspect, which I personally do as well, is to be careful with overusing trendy elements and details. It's important to have a concrete and evident style, but making it look too similar with the existing designs has the risk of making it look boring and ordinary.

Best regards,

Billy

10+ years experience in the industry