Branding Trends to Watch in 2026

Branding is critical to your business. It makes people feel a certain way about your company and what you do. Done right, it makes people feel good about doing business with you, about what your company represents, and the things you produce. It’s normal to look at your branding now and again to see if it’s doing its job or if it needs a refresh. Get it right, and you’re golden. Get it wrong, and you could alienate customers and tarnish the company. Remember the disastrous Cracker Barrel rebranding last year? Yikes!

Whether you think your logo needs a refresh or you want to update your company’s identity, here are the branding trends to watch for in 2026.

Minimalist Identities

One trend that we saw last year that’s carried over to the new year is movement towards minimalist identities that can be adapted to various platforms while retaining what the company is all about. This includes simplifying logos that are easily recognizable on small screens, flexible color palettes, and layouts that move and scale easily.

If there’s one company that’s nailed this, it’s Apple. Their logo is straightforward, easily recognizable in any color, and fits on everything from billboards to websites displayed on phones. The same goes for Google. This is the goal that many companies are chasing.

Now that the new year is here, it’s a good idea to review your brand identity and ensure it checks all the boxes. Is it too busy? Does it adapt to constantly changing formats while still being identifiable?

Made For Motion

Print isn’t dead yet, but it’s on life support. That’s why companies must focus on motion, like scrolling on phones and tablets, and even VR. It’s where the people are. That means people will notice how your logo looks and behaves. Many companies add animations or transitions to their branding elements.

Motion can say a lot to your customers. Slow and smooth evokes calmness, while something zippy feels exciting and modern. We’ll see in 2026 that these motions are just as important as typography and color for company brands.

Sense Engagement

One way to freshen your brand is to move beyond the visuals because many people interact with devices through sound. An audio theme or tone can let users know they’re interacting with a particular brand even when they don’t see anything on the screen. Think about the Apple chime at boot up. It’s simple, but everyone who uses Apple computers instantly recognizes it. That small chime is just as much a part of Apple’s brand identity as its logo.

Community Powered Branding

Data security is as much a concern in 2026 as it was last year, and it’s wise for brands to incorporate trust into their identity. In 2026, privacy by design, where user privacy is built into the product and experience from the beginning, will set brands apart from the rest.

Companies that prioritize clear, transparent data practices and give users control over their information will be the winners this year.

Inclusivity and Accessibility

Last year, we saw a big push for brands to be more inclusive and accessible, and that continues in 2026. Brands must be aware of color choices, graphics, motion, easy-to-read typefaces, and how their designs translate over multiple platforms.

Google is among the best at this with its Material Design, which is clean, adaptable, and accessible no matter where the viewer sees it.

AI With a Human Touch

Lastly, Artificial Intelligence continues to be a force in branding by offering virtually unlimited levels of personalization. But while AI can deliver tailored recommendations, dynamic content, and predictive insights, there’s a growing level of AI fatigue, where people don’t want to deal solely with machines. People still crave that human connection, even with their favorite brands, and it’s going to be more important for you to give that this year as companies push more AI across their platforms. The winning formula in 2026 will be blending AI efficiency with human creativity. Winning brands will use AI to get insights and automate routine interactions, but the storytelling, emotional connection, and value alignment must come from humans.

Get Your Marketing in 2026 Off on the Right Start by Contacting Brandtastic

Marketing and branding change constantly, and we adapt to stay on top of what’s trending and what’s coming down the road. Whether you need a brand refresh, a website, help with your Google ads, or anything else, we can help. Contact us today and let us show you what we can do for your business to make 2026 the best year yet!