When YouTube first rose to prominence in the mid-noughties, the video-based website only had monetary benefits to large media outlets, while independent creators produced some of the best content in the digital era, but without much interest in marketing opportunities, trends, or deploying tried and tested strategies for growth.
However, in 2024, as the internet continues to boom and becomes interfaced with most areas of life, growing numbers of aspiring content creators can build audiences and generate profit by sharing insightful, well-produced videos on YouTube.
But to build an audience, your posting cannot just be random. You need to make your content as specific as possible, well-edited with appropriate sound effects, thumbnails and titles created in a marketable way, and you need to stay up to date with the growing aesthetic trends and video styles which are producing results for other creators.
So, here’s our research-based seven biggest growing aesthetic trends on YouTube in 2024.
Minimalism and Clear Design
There’s a growing awareness of research that suggests excessive internet usage and the consumption of toxic content can have negative implications on one’s mental health.
So, several innovative content creators have produced more calming, clear, and minimalistic videos that don’t leave their audiences feeling drained or overwhelmed after consumption.
Many viewers want to consume content promoting simple living, whether that’s minimalistic apartment tours with calming background music or a day-in-the-life video of a creator completing tasks in a peaceful yet realistic and relatable manner.
If you’re looking to build an audience, consider creating videos with simplified layouts, subtle colour palettes, and uncluttered visuals that are gaining traction. This aesthetic choice not only enhances visual appeal but also fosters a sense of calm and focus for viewers. From productivity tutorials to cooking demos, the minimalist approach elevates content by emphasising clarity and simplicity.
Nature-Inspired Imagery
A few years ago, nature-inspired imagery might’ve been perceived as mundane or boring by internet-based audiences. However, as awareness of environmental issues continues to rise, so does the general appreciation for the planet itself.
Moreover, with the modern-day prevalence of mental health conditions, such as anxiety and depression, getting out in nature is often advised as a technique or coping mechanism to fight such inner turmoil.
This is being reflected in the type of video design aesthetics we’re seeing perform numerically well on YouTube in 2024. Content advising young people to get out of the city, connect with friends, and immerse themselves in nature with the backdrop of scenic imagery prevalent in such videos is racking up the views.
Creators are incorporating lush landscapes, botanical motifs, and earthy tones into their videos. Whether filming outdoor adventures, DIY projects, or meditation guides, the use of nature imagery fosters a connection to the natural world and promotes a sense of tranquillity and mindfulness among viewers.
Cinematic Storytelling
Thanks to advancements in AI editing software and technology, cinematic approaches to storytelling content have become more accessible to the average user than ever before. We’re seeing increasing numbers of YouTube videos utilising techniques borrowed from filmmaking, such as dynamic camera movements, dramatic lighting, and immersive sound design.
Through the elevation of overall production quality, YouTube creators can captivate audiences and convey expansive, deep narratives with great impact and emotion. If you want to leave an impact on your audience and have an idea with lots of depth, such as a personal story, travel documentary, or a short film, make sure to utilise cinematic approaches to storytelling to add sophistication and gravity to your content.
Neon and Retro
Culture, music, and graphic design from the 80’s and 90’s continue to remain in popularity today. Large numbers of YouTube creators create videos with old film cameras for effects, use neon-lit backdrops, and retro-themed graphics. This type of aesthetic still appeals to younger audiences, while simultaneously creating a nostalgic feeling for older views.
So, whether you’re filming a thrift haul, gaming video, or vlog, try incorporating retro graphics, music, and film to create an overall aesthetic that resonates with a wider range of potential viewers.
Futuristic and Cyberpunk Themes
With the rise of AI, continued advancements in technology, and existential war and environmental threats, the future of our planet and existence is perhaps more unclear today than it ever has been before.
As a result, vast amounts of people are interested in looking into the future, considering what a futuristic world or structure may look and feel like. So, YouTube creators are embracing this trend by incorporating futuristic visuals, cyberpunk-inspired fashion, and dystopian narratives into their videos.
Whether exploring virtual reality, discussing emerging technologies, or creating sci-fi short films, the fusion of futuristic themes with YouTube content offers a glimpse into imagined worlds and alternative realities.
Conclusion
While it’s important to deploy an aesthetic in your videos which is clear, identifiable, and specific to your intended audience, there’s no harm in playing around with different ideas or even using a combination of different aesthetics.
Consider the content you want to make, who you want to watch it, and the video style best used to target them appropriately.