Acid graphics: Here's why the trend is taking over your TikTok FYP
Are you curious about the latest TikTok trend that's taking over your FYP? It's acid graphics. This trend is a modern take on the '90s rave flyers, with bold neons, space-themed visuals, and tongue-in-cheek references. But what sets it apart is the infusion of futuristic, Y2K aesthetics, digital mediums, and AI.
The combination of these contrasting elements results in what's called anti-design. While it may seem aggressive or unfriendly to users, it offers an alternative to accepted design standards. Let’s take a closer look.
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What are acid graphics that are all over TikTok?
The acid graphics trend is characterized by visually stunning designs filled with curving checkerboards, spiky cyberpunk fonts, and shimmering organic shapes. While the term may conjure images of LSD, hippies, and the '60s, or acid house culture from the '90s, the trend is actually a fusion of both periods with a contemporary design approach. There is also a darker sense of humor and irony embedded in the graphics, in contrast to the optimistic and expansive views of the past.
The style of acid graphics is defined by designer and art director Hugo Hoppman as having a “really trendy” look, combined with “super organic forms,” “crazy lettering,” and a “heavy metal aesthetic” that draws from '90s rave graphics. The trend also incorporates modern tools, such as rendering and 3D designs, creating designs that are both trippy and current.
Imogen Hoefkens, art director of 99 Designs, defines the latter term as "design that flouts standard design principles, whose colors don't match and whose type is illegible." While anti-design may seem aggressive or even anti-user-friendly, it is about defying common design standards and allowing for surprises. Acid graphics are a perfect example of this trend and include gothic fonts, shimmery designs, and AI-generated images. This style is in direct contrast to the clean lines and minimalism of the 2010s and represents the adoption of maximalism by the world of graphic design. There are also practical reasons for the popularity of this style, such as the widespread use of user-friendly digital templates like Canva.
Why is it popular on TikTok?
Despite its historical and referential roots, acid graphics have become a popular trend on platforms like TikTok FYP due to their visually stunning and unique designs. For example, visual designer Luigi Brusciano's Instagram page, @acidgraphix, showcases acid graphic designs that are both mesmerizing and intriguing.
In summary, acid graphics is a visually stunning design trend that incorporates historical elements with a modern twist. Combining organic shapes, unique typography, and a heavy metal aesthetic, acid graphics are created using modern tools to produce designs that are both trippy and current. This trend's popularity on platforms like TikTok is driven by its unique visual appeal and references to past design periods.