Developing the Vocabulary for Design — A Visual Style Cheatsheet

Developing the Vocabulary for Design — A Visual Style Cheatsheet

As AI-generated art & design continue to advance, it’s helpful to develop a mental library and vocabulary for different visual styles. Here is a list I’ve collected!

Minimalism: limited color & shades, simple shapes & linework, and lots of whitespaces to create a clean and uncluttered design

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Maximalism: bold patterns, colors, textures, and shapes; mixing and matching a variety of elements to create a vibrant and eclectic look

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Grunge: dark, contrasting color palette with grime or dirt; distressed or rough textures, bold typography, and a chaotic layout to convey a raw, edgy vibe

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Retro: bright colors, vintage typography, and graphic elements that draw inspiration from design trends of the ’60s and ’70s era

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Flat: simple, 2-D shapes and a bright monochromatic palette to create a minimalist design that emphasizes usability, often seen in digital design

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Skeuomorphism: realistic, tactile elements like shadows and gradients creating a sense of depth and interaction like real-life objects, materials, and textures like leather, metal, or wood

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Cartoon/Comic: bold, imaginative graphics and exaggerated characters with vibrant color to convey a sense of humor or playfulness, often accompanied by animated elements

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Victorian: fancy, ornate fonts, detailed symmetrical borders & frames, decorative designs like flowers & swirls, and a busy style that fills the canvas

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Cyberpunk: futuristic elements like neon lights, holographic displays, and metallic textures to create a high-tech, dystopian vibe

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Art Nouveau: decorative design that often features floral motifs, single color with subtle shading, natural-looking serifs inspired by organic & flowing lines

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Art Deco: geometric shapes, bold colors, and a sense of luxury and glamour, often associated with the 1920s & 1930s (e.g. Great Gatsby movie poster).

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Brutalism: emphasis on raw, unpolished textures and a utilitarian layout to create a minimalist design, often associated with architecture.

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Psychedelic: vibrant colors, swirling patterns, and abstract shapes, often associated with 1960s counterculture

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Scandinavian: emphasis on simplicity, functionality, and natural materials, often associated with Nordic design

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Photorealism: hyperrealistic visuals to recreate the appearance of reality with precision & accuracy

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Masculine: bold, strong vibe incorporating dark colors and sharp angles

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Feminine: soft, delicate style with pastel colors and flowing curves

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Illustrated/ Doodled: hand-drawn elements, whimsical linework, and playful doodles for a playful, friendly vibe

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Dark/ Luxurious: rich, dark colors with simple but ornate patterns with the style of high-end brands

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3D: computer-generated graphics and objects to create a sense of dimension

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Geometric: clean, modern look consisting of geometric shapes and patterns

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Abstract: non-representational shapes and forms with emphasis on color, texture, and composition

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Typographic: creative use of typefaces & fonts to convey meaning & emotion

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Organic/Natural: earthly elements like plant life, hand-drawn illustrations, and natural color palette

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That’s all for now! I’ll add more to the list as I discover more. Feel free to let me know if there’s anything you think should be included.

Disclaimer: Images used for illustrative & educational purposes only, from various sources via Google search