Beat The Summer Slump: Top Seasonal Design Trends to Make Your Next Print or Digital Marketing Campaign Pop

Unless you run a seasonal operation, you may have noticed that sometimes your business wanes in the summer months, with consumers busy vacationing or even saving up for the coming school year. So, what can you do if your business is experiencing a summer slump? The first thing we’d say is: don’t freak out, this is something many companies face. And secondly, we’d recommend reviewing your current marketing campaigns to ensure you’re staying up to date on current design trends that will appeal to your ideal audience. That’s why we’re going over everything you need to know to beat your summer slump as we discuss the top seasonal design trends to make your next print or digital marketing campaign pop.

Consider A Dreamy Color Palette

Let’s be honest, those vibrant summer colors—raincoat yellow, fuchsia pink, electric orange, or neon green, for example—while fun and tropical, have become overused and less impactful as a result. You may be surprised to learn that the top paint colors of 2024 are more whimsical, dreamy, and romantic colors, giving modern-day Bridgerton vibes rather than color-block beachballs and bright sunglasses.

First up is Pantone’s Color of the Year for 2024: Peach Fuzz. With a beautiful balance of pink and orange, peach is a unique and playful color that also has a coziness and sophistication to it. However, be sure to use peach deliberately and sparingly in your designs; to avoid over-saturation, pair it with neutrals or other muted tones to balance it. It’s perfect for industries like fashion, beauty, and self-care, with products like the Motorola Razr 40 Ultra in Peach Fuzz proving that this stunning color can be used in all types of campaigns!

Next for your consideration is C2 Paint’s Color of the Year: Thermal Blue. Blue has always been a timeless, elegant color, but what is Thermal Blue? It’s basically a light, soothing hue of blue, reminiscent of the sky with some billowy white clouds on a sunny day or a bouquet of forget-me-nots. Albeit a calming shade, its impact is multiplied when paired with neutrals or pastel colors, making this airy, organic color perfect for many industries, such as bridal, perfume, and interior design. But this hue should also not be overlooked for white-collar businesses like insurance agencies, for example, as the gentle color can help evoke feelings of calm and peace.

Finally, last but not least, consider Dutch Boy’s 2024 Color of the Year: Ironside. Ironside is a luxurious deep olive shade that features rich undertones of black, making it the perfect earthy yet moody hue for your next campaign. Exuding comfortable confidence, this shade is ideal for environmentally conscious brands or companies with a strong connection to nature. Pairing beautifully with other natural colors—including shades like rust, sage green, and even terracotta—this earthy tone can help you come across as an authentic, grounded brand when used correctly.

Utilize Minimalistic and Clean Designs

Now that we’ve discussed what kinds of dreamy color palettes you can use this summer, it’s time to consider how utilizing minimalistic and clean designs can help your campaigns have a stronger impact. Why are minimalistic designs trending this season? Mostly because audiences are often inundated with vibrant and busy visuals as brands compete for attention throughout the summer. Therefore, minimalistic designs offer a refreshing break with their clean lines and uncluttered aesthetics.

Furthermore, by stripping away unnecessary elements, your core message or product will be able to shine through, making your marketing efforts more effective and less distracting. When your audience can navigate your content effortlessly, you’ll see longer engagement times and better customer satisfaction. On another note, minimalistic designs can evoke a sense of calm and focus, which is particularly appealing during the sometimes hectic summer months, while also having a trendy and timeless feel that will attract those who appreciate a refined aesthetic.

Incorporate Nature and Outdoor Elements

Lastly, if you’re looking for a way to kickstart your seasonal marketing but don’t want to change your colors or overall design formatting, we suggest incorporating some nature or outdoor elements. Of course, this will depend on whether it makes sense for your specific brand, but utilizing natural elements should resonate strongly during the summer when people are more inclined to spend time outdoors and engage with nature. That’s why integrating these themes can make your materials feel refreshing and harmonious, evoking positive emotions such as calmness, happiness, and nostalgia.

Not to mention, there is a growing trend towards health, wellness, and eco-conscious living, which you can tap into by integrating natural and outdoor elements in your next campaign. Just look at IKEA’s ‘Let’s Relax’ campaign that promotes a more relaxed lifestyle by adding elements of nature into home spaces. Their campaign features serene, nature-inspired interiors, encouraging viewers to bring the outdoors inside for a calming living environment. So now, it’s your turn! How could you incorporate nature and outdoor elements into your next marketing campaign?

Final Thoughts

Although many companies may fall victim to the slower summer months, yours doesn’t have to be one of them. Start by reviewing your color palette and consider integrating one of the dreamy shades of peach, light blue, or olive green in your next campaign. You should also think about minimizing your design aesthetic to increase readability and engagement while adding natural elements to make your materials more relatable, authentic, and aligned. However, we also want to remind you that you don’t need to change your entire campaign to make it more impactful; start with a few tweaks here and there, and monitor your progress.

We hope this article has armed you with the expertise you need to create a print or digital marketing campaign that truly pops, but if you still need further assistance, our experts at Tulip Media Group are always on hand to help. With comprehensive packages for both print and digital marketing, we offer customizable solutions to ensure your campaigns stand out and achieve the results you desire.

For further information, visit  TulipMediaGroup.com.