CROOW 2023 trends guide
CROOW | 2023 | Digital Trends Guide | Art Director
CROOW aimed to publish an annual Creative Trends Guide that not only forecasted what’s next in the creative and production industries but also positioned the brand as a thought leader among agencies and creative professionals.
Objective:
Design a visually compelling, user-friendly digital guide that distilled complex trend insights into a clear, modern, and shareable format, bridging data with design storytelling.
Creative Direction Statement:
The world is moving fast, CROOW’s Trends Guide had to feel timely, bold, and credible. Inspired by futurism, clean editorial grids, and modular systems, the layout design married structure with motion.
Visual Approach:
Color palette: CROOW’s core colors, complemented with electric gradients to nod to innovation
Typography: Modern sans-serifs with editorial hierarchy (Aktiv Grotesk Cd)
Grid system: 12-column modular grid for flexibility across digital and print
Infographics: Stylized data visualizations to break up dense content
Moodboard Keywords:
Futurism
Creative intelligence
Digital editorial
Minimalism meets movement
Process & Execution
Phase 1: Research & Content Mapping
Worked with CROOW's strategy and content teams to parse 10 video trend categories
Phase 2: Design System Development
Developed a layout kit with headers, pull quotes, stat blocks, and illustrations
Created iconography and simple motion accents for digital use
Phase 3: Production
Designed 36-page digital guide in InDesign
Exported for both interactive PDF and web publication
Supported rollout with teaser graphics for LinkedIn and social channels
Tools Used: InDesign, Illustrator, Google Docs
This project proved how good design can elevate content into an experience. The challenge wasn’t just aesthetic, it was about designing for understanding and crafting a piece that made CROOW look as smart as they are innovative.