We recently connected with Abbie O’Brien and have shared our conversation below.
Abbie, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today So, let’s start with trends – what are some of the largest or more impactful trends you are seeing in the industry?
Here are some of the biggest graphic design trends anticipated for 2025:
1. AI-Generated Design and Photography – AI tools will continue to evolve, helping designers create patterns, animations, and even entire layouts faster. For me — I believe that an AI graphic design tool does not effectively address common challenges such strategic design, design ethics, and brand infusion. It remains a threat to us designers but will it serve the brand audience long term? Brand storytelling is so much more strategic than letting AI design for you.
2. Bold, Maximalist Aesthetics – After years of minimalism, maximalism is making a comeback. Expect designs with bold colors, intricate details, layered typography, and eclectic compositions that demand attention. Designers will push the boundaries with exaggerated elements and visual richness.
3. Retro Styles – This trend will see a combination of neon colors, metallic textures, and 3D typography inspired by early digital and arcade visuals.
4. Infographics – As information becomes more complex, the need for clear and visually appealing data visualization will grow. Designers will explore more creative ways to represent data, making it both functional and aesthetically captivating with dynamic charts, graphs, and iconography.
5. Making Typography a Focal Point – Typography will take center stage in designs, often becoming the dominant visual element. Expect to see creative, custom-made fonts, oversized type, and fluid typographic elements that break traditional grids, creating dynamic layouts that double as artwork.
6. Personalization – Subtle, micro-animations will be key in digital design, bringing life to user interfaces. These animations, like button hover effects or interactive transitions, will enhance user engagement without overwhelming the experience.
Abbie, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
I’m Abbie O’Brien, a Brand Designer with a passion that began in high school when I co-edited our yearbook, laying out and designing each page. This early love for design led me to Shippensburg University, where I pursued a degree in graphic design, and soon after, I interned at a magazine company, creating layouts, spreads, and ads.
My career began at a Franchise Company where I worked as a Graphic Designer for a network with over 350 locations across the U.S. and Canada. Over time, I advanced to the role of Creative Director, overseeing everything from TV commercials and website redesigns to national campaigns. These experiences honed my skills across a wide range of brand-building elements.
In 2020, after being laid off during the pandemic, I took a leap and launched my own agency, The Branding Den. Our mission is to craft beautiful, strategic brand designs that create meaningful connections with audiences. By blending thoughtful strategy with creative expertise, we help brands of all sizes drive conversions and generate new business through the power of design.
The Branding Den is where strategy, thought leadership, and creativity come together. Based remotely in the Philadelphia suburbs, our small team of creative thinkers is driven by the synergy of design and strategic vision.
At the heart of my approach is a human-centered partnership. I believe that behind every brand is a unique story, a vision, and a passionate team. My process is fueled by a genuine connection to each client’s journey—alongside a healthy dose of yoga and both hot and iced coffee!
Whether you’re looking to breathe new life into an existing brand or start fresh, I am here to guide you through each phase of your brand’s evolution. More than just a designer, I strive to be a trusted partner in the journey of brand development.
Where do you think you get most of your clients from?
Referrals – the power of your network! Yes, I have glowing Google reviews. Yes, I have a solid SEO and digital advertising strategy. But time and time again, my best clients come from word-of-mouth referrals. There’s truly nothing more powerful than a trusted recommendation from within your network. It’s this support and shared belief in the work I do that keeps The Branding Den thriving. Thank you to everyone who has shared my name and work—it means the world!
How did you build your audience on social media?
My freelance journey started with designing wedding invitations—a passion I pursued for almost a decade. When a corporate layoff shifted my path, I pivoted to focus on corporate design, creating logos, brand identities, websites, and other essential brand collateral.
Transitioning my Instagram from weddings to corporate design was a shift, but it allowed me to share a more authentic view of my work. I found that consistency in posting, showing up as myself, and giving a peek behind the scenes contributed to steady growth. My advice to anyone starting out? Focus on quality over quantity. Engage with your followers, be authentic, and don’t stress over numbers—a loyal, engaged following is far more valuable than just growing for the sake of it.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.thebrandingden.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebrandingden/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thebrandingden/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/abbie11/
