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Ready for Summer?
Design Tips to Help Your Brand Stand Out and Sizzle
Posted on June 2, 2025, by Peter Loomis
Introduction
Memorial Day has passed and with June in full swing, summer isn’t just coming — it’s already here. Whether you’re feeling ready or still catching up, ideally your visual design and branding should also reflect the seasonal shift.
Think about it: you wouldn’t walk out the door in wool pants and a sweater when it’s 85 degrees out. So why leave your branding stuck in a cold-weather look? If your audience is heading to the beach, planning road trips, or celebrating graduation, your design needs to meet them where they are — in the mood, mindset and tempo of summer.
This article walks through actionable strategies to align your brand with the season, keep things fresh and connect more naturally with people where they are — on the go, in the sun and ready for a visual reset.
Syncing with the seasons signals to users that your content is active, fresh and up to date
1. Why Seasonal Design Matters
Seasonal visuals signal relevance. They say: we’re in sync with you.
If your brand looks out of season, you risk feeling out of touch — or worse, invisible.
Summer offers a unique emotional palette. It’s all about warmth, light, freedom, spontaneity. Whether your audience is relaxing poolside, road-tripping with friends or simply enjoying longer days, your design can amplify those vibes.
Seasonal updates don’t have to be drastic. Sometimes, a well-placed image swap or a slight tone shift in your messaging is all it takes.
Additionally, people naturally seek more entertainment, exploration and inspiration during summer. According to Replug’s seasonal marketing report, “People of all ages seek digital entertainment as they have more spare time. People are looking for methods to keep themselves entertained over the summertime, whether by streaming TV shows and movies, enjoying music or playing games.” (Source: Replug)
That increased free time often translates into more social engagement, too. According to Claspo, “Social media sharing increases by at least 26% during the summer months, making it an important platform for interacting with your audience.” (Source)
Summer brings warm days, cool drinks, relaxation and fun
2. Summer Feels: Design Through Emotion
Summer isn’t just a temperature — it’s a mood. Here’s what it often evokes:
- Lightness – physically and emotionally
- Warmth – in color, tone and message
- Freedom – school’s out, vacations are in
- Energy – sunshine, movement, bold expression
Your visuals should tap into these sensations. Think breezy, open, expressive — not heavy, rigid, or moody. This is a time to shed the layers, literally and metaphorically.
Get inspired with trending summer palettes at Coolors.co
3. Visual Cues That Scream Summer
Here’s how to reflect the season in your branding and design:
A. Color
- Bolder, brighter hues — Royal Blue, Tangerine, Lemon Yellow, Coral
- Lighter tints — pastel versions of bolds can evoke softness and calm
- High contrast — colors that pop against clean backgrounds
B. Layout & Space
- Embrace white space — give content room to breathe
- Simplify navigation or density where possible
- Use asymmetry or dynamic spacing to add energy and movement
C. Imagery
- Swap in sunlit photography, outdoor scenes, or relaxed lifestyle moments
- Use light textures — sand, linen, rippling water, glass
- Experiment with cinematic crops or motion blur to imply movement
D. Typography
- Try lightweight fonts or airy sans-serifs
- Use large, confident headers in warm tones
- Avoid overly dense or ornate type — keep it casual and legible
