The best design trends from the past year demonstrated the endless creativity of many brands. Some of the most innovative finds were products that deviated ever so slightly from conventional norms. Although these tweaks were small, they still made a big difference to the overall look and feel of a product.
For example, the 'JasmineTCreations' were handy accessories for one's iPhone. The cute designs looked like miniature crowns to help jazz up this piece of tech that so many people own. Once again the ombre theme cropped up in everything from sneakers to chandeliers. While this trend became popular this year with hair, many designers saw the potential to transfer this look to a variety of products.
For those looking for more insight into design trends, our Design Trend Report helps businesses find the next big thing in this industry.
Top 100 Best Design Trends of 2012
From Cellphone Plug Charms to Floral Purse Makeovers:
Jamie Danielle Munro — Jan 18, 2013 — Art & Design
100
Hipster Princess Depictions
The DeviantART User Viria13 'Fashion Princesses' are Rad Recreations
99
Floating Balcony Pools
The Aquaria Grande is Sculptural and Luxurious
98
Character Connection Cartoons
'I Know That Feel Bro' Creates Bonds Between Pop Culture Figures
97
Transformed Iconic Images
These Historic Color Photos Get an Outstanding Makeover
96
Galactic Androgynous Pantsuits
The Alexander McQueen Resort 2013 Collection is Boldly Tailored
95
Culture-Clashed Iconic Paintings
Robert Brandenburg's Changes Will Make You Giggle
94
Blunt Designer Truths
Anneke Short Uses Simple Prints to Set the Record Straight About Design
93
Vertigo-Inducing Photography
Photographer Dennis Maitland Isn't Afraid of Heights
92
DIY Artistic Toddler Photography
Japanese Mother Mami Koide Takes Creative Pics of Sleeping Baby
91
Multiple Meaning Illustrations
The Pablo Stanley 'Words are Fun' Graphics are Homophonic
90
Optical Illusion Structures
The Reframe Art Installation Features Multiple Perspectives
89
Offensively Remixed Cartoons
'If Life Was Like a Disney Movie' by Jeff Wysaski is Hilarious
88
Historical Hipster Portraits (UPDATE)
These Fab Ciraolo Subjects Listen to Indie Bands
87
Ombre Kicks
Converse's New Dip-Dye Chuck Taylors are Colorful and Relaxed
86
Adorably Brief Body Art
The Dottinghill Temporary Tattoos Feature Some Amazing Designs
85
Piped Paperback Storage
Industrial Bookshelves Bind Your Library into the Structure of Your Home
84
Literature-Shingled Lamps
The Zipper 8 Lighting Collection Covers Bulbs with Book Contents
83
Magnificent Moat Mansions
The Cadas Architecture Itaipava Residence is Lavish and Rustic
82
Carnivorous High Heels
Iris van Herpen and United Nude's Fang Shoe is Literally Long in the Tooth
81
Innocuous Youth Illustrations
Ana Bagayan Paints Wide-Eyed Children in Dream-Like Depictions
80
Romancing Hipster Illustrations
Thomas Pitilli Renders Drawings of Lovey Dovey Pop Scenes
79
Kitty-Inspired Fonts
The Cats as Fonts Collection is a Feline-Packed Trip Through Writing Styles
78
Ethereal Pastel Ensembles
The Elie Saab Spring 2012 Couture Collection is Perfect for Award Season
77
Haunting Hippie Portraits
Dirk Kikstra Lenses Social Rebellion for the Ones2Watch
76
Patterned Paper Necklaces
The Logical Art 'Air Tattoos' are Delicate and Stylish
75
DIY Paper Speakers
The Plywood iVictrola Design for iPhones is a Fun Project
74
Flora-Infused Female Paintings
Jennifer Healy Renders Women with Flowery and Fishy Anatomy
73
Personalized Pop-Up Phone Protectors
The ‘Polchemy 3D Printed iPhone Case’ Stands Out
72
Geometric Plane Tattoos
Marie Kraus Makes Her Mark in the Inking World
71
Illuminated Public Sculptures
The Luminous Field Installation Turns Cloud Gate into a Disco Ball
70
Satirically Truthful Slogans
The 'Honest Ads' by Matt Stevenson and Chelsea Fagan Read Our Minds
69
Cellphone Plug Charms
The 'JasminTcreations' iPhone Earphone Plug Accessories are Adorable
68
Scrap Metal Monsters
Robert Jefferson Travis Pond Turns Old Parts into Bold Beasts
67
Social Network Photo-Sharing Devices
The Instagram Socialmatic Camera is a Must-See Gadget
66
Fairytale-Inspired Shop Interiors
Betulla Store by Carola Vannini is Fit for a Princess
65
Social Media Sleepers
The FBed Concept is Inspired by the Facebook Logo
64
Wing-Widened Campers
The Odorico Pordenone Caravan Expands to Offer Provide Spaciousness
63
Ombre-Shaded Chandeliers
This Hey Gorgeous DIY Project Will Add Subtle Color to Your Abode
62
Floral Purse Makeovers
The DIY Decoupage Bag by Honestly WTF is Dynamic
61
Interior Greenery Technology
The E Home Concept Connects People with Nature Using Digital Tech
60
Rustic Cavemen Hotels
The Caves of Civita Hotel in Sextantio Italy Offers Primitive Luxury
59
Luxury Floating Hotels
The M/V Aria Cruise Ship Travels Along the Amazon River
58
Fierce Facial Jewelry Shots
The Givenchy Spring 2012 Couture Collection is Gothic-Chic
57
Prismatic Paper Jewelry
Suite by Kirsten Hassenfeld Addresses Wealth and Luxury
56
Body Art Portrait Books
London Tattoos by Alex Macnaughton Explores Unique UK Ink
55
Crumbled Concrete Lighting
The Minimalist 'Like Paper Lamp' Has Kinks and Crinkles
54
Time-Teared Photos
Bobby Neel Adams Fuses the Old with the Young
53
Delicate Skeletal Necklaces
Miyu Decay's Bat Skeleton Necklace is Eerie and Charming
52
Social Surrealist Illustrations
Koren Shadmi Renders Technologically Critical Illustrations
51
Creativity-Charged Cafes
BASE camp by Nest One is a Cutting-Edge Workspace
50
Pre-Made IKEA Abodes
Aktiv Provides Users with a House From the Retail Giant
49
Jagged Jet Fighter Cars
The Ferruccio Lamborghini is the Ultimate Mid-Life Crisis Vehicle
48
Man-Made Waterfall Architecture
The Shore Vista Boat Dock is Serenely Sweeping
47
Disneyfied Movie Posters
The Old Red Jalopy Presents Hollywood Movies with a Comic Touch
46
Digitally Distorted Architecture
A Wayward World of Surreal Structures by Philip Dujardin
45
Horror Cartoon Mash-Ups
The Toy Shining Turns Toy Story's Woody into a Psycho
44
Deluxe Domestic Playground Equipment
Svvving Luxury Swings Bring Fun to Fancy Homes
43
Honest Movie Posters
The 2012 Oscar-Nominated Film Illustrations Tell the Truth
42
Creepy Comic Illustrations
Murray Somerville Renders Surreal Fantasy Drawings
41
Painfully Pierced Watches
'iDermal' by Dave Hurban Uses a Lot of Bloody Effort to Strap on a Watch
40
Tattooed Asian Female Artistry
Hoang Nguyen Renders Badass Beautiful Women with Body Art
39
Social Network Stats
The Facebook 2012 Infographic is an Update on the Leading Online Community
38
H2O-Transporting Two-Wheelers
Water on Wheels Brings the Life Liquid to Thirsty Towns
37
Occult-Themed Tattoo Art
Tom Gilmour Creates Symbolism-Inspired Body Ink
36
Optical Illusion Movie Posters
Rowan Stocks Moore Takes a Different Look at Disney
35
Concealed Compartment Phone Covers
The iLID MK-1 iPhone Wallet Declutters Your Pants Pockets
34
Wooden Retro Bicycles
The Sman Cruiser Combines Creativity with Carpentry
33
Beautifully Detailed Body Art
Pinpin Co. Paints Mesmerizing Murals on People's Skin
32
Seriously Studded iPhone Covers
The Felony Case Gives Your Phone a Sharp Look
31
Evaporating Model Photography
Smoke by Stefano Bonazzi is Half Human and Half Vapor
30
Stunning Shoreline Fortresses
The Beach House Q has Stress-Free Surroundings
29
Calligraphic Asian Artistry
Jungshan Paints Provacative Images with Stylishly Smeared Ink
28
Inflatable Steel Furniture
Zieta Prozessdesign Creations are Contemporarily Cartoonish
27
Fantastically Folded Architecture
The Jameson House Mixes the Old with the New
26
Plywood Puzzle Furnishings
The Coordinate Collection by Praktrik Features Modular Pieces
25
Eccentric Tetris-Style Sofas
To Gather Presses the Piecing of Odd Modules Together
24
Shipping Container Workspaces
The Sugoroku Office by Daiken-Met Architects is Stacked Cargo Boxes
23
Cartoon-Inspired Smartphone Covers
The Koneko Store Etsy iPhone Cases are Adorable and Colorful
22
Macabre Princess Cartoons (UPDATE)
The Thomas Czarneck Photos Give a Twist to Fairytale Endings
21
Expandable Furniture
Reinier de Jong's REK Coffee Table Grows and Shrinks as Needed
20
Touchscreen Bracelets
F. Bertrand's Watch the Future is Like a Wearable Smartphone
19
Faux Frosty Cakes
Bakerella's Snow Cone Cupcakes are Surprisingly Room Temperature
18
Pop-Out Plywood Bands
Les Ouvrieres Wooden Rings Come in Their Original Stenciled Panels
17
Alien Amphibian Photography
Tauart Turns Women into Mythical Space Creatures
16
Imaginative Recreational Workspaces
The LEGO Denmark Office Has a Slide and Building Stations
15
Tummy-Trimmed Paintings
Venus by Anna Utopia Giordano Gives Classics a Makeover
14
Effortless Prefab Retreats
The Coodo 'My Home' Residences Come Furnished and Poised for Placement
13
Functional Origami-Like Furniture
The News Coffee Table by Boris Ignatov is Great for Saving Space
12
Geometric Bicycle Brackets
The Bike Valet Embodies the Art of Efficient Apartment Storage
11
Flesh-Torn Tattoos
The Designs of Yomico Moreno are Incredibly Realistic
10
Building Block Cafes
The Starbucks Amsterdam Rembrandtplein is Dynamically Designed
9
DIY Personified Popsicles
Zoku Makes Healthy (and Fun) Summer Treats Fast
8
Pandemic-Fighting Backpacks
These Designers Against Aids 2012 Eastpak Bags are Quirky and Bold
7
Customized Disney Princess Kicks
Etsy User 'Creativity in the Making' Hand Paints TOMS Shoes
6
Rustic Jar Lighting
Luke Lamp Co. Creates Light Fixtures That are Full of Character
5
Colorfully Perforated Furniture
The PEEP Storage Units Allow Natural Light to Seep Through
4
Curvy Pristine Restaurants
Busride Design Studio Creates Interior for The Smokehouse Room
3
Graphic Headphone Decals
The Beats by Dr. Dre Gelaskins Add Personality to Your Gear
2
Modern Retro Runways
The DSquared Fall/Winter 2012/2013 Collection is the Epitome of Glamour
1
Side-Stacked Storage Systems
The Bookcase 45x Balances Impossibly from the Cubbies' Corners
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Friendship Necklace Tutorials
Learn How to Make These DIY Utility Rope Necklaces by Honestly Wtf
96 Atypical iPhone Cases
From Pepper Spray Phones to Scribbling Smartphone Holders
Innocuous Tattooed Girl Illustrations
Tati Ferrigno Pairs Angelic Ladies with Intense Body Art
Adorably Brief Body Art
The Dottinghill Temporary Tattoos Feature Some Amazing Designs
Wallpaper-Inspired Nails
The 'Faded Floral Mani' by The Beauty Department is Easier Than it Looks
Sleeping Newborn Photography
Sweet Bambini Studio Captures Calmly Smiling Infants
Heavily Inked Model Photoshoots
Bradley Soileau for Diesel's Only The Brave Tattoo Gallery
Personalized Pop-Up Phone Protectors
The ‘Polchemy 3D Printed iPhone Case’ Stands Out
Cellphone Plug Charms
The 'JasminTcreations' iPhone Earphone Plug Accessories are Adorable
Ghostly Furniture Installations
The PLAY Project by Ka-Lai Chan Protrudes From the Wall Eerily
Open-Concept Box Abodes
The H.2 Residence by 314 Architecture Studio is One Modest Home
Curving Cumulus Cottages
The McBride Charles Ryan Cloud House is Whimsical
DIY Tool Shed Jewelry
The Stripes + Sequins 'Hardware Store Gold Rose Necklace' is Durable
Victorian Military Fashion
The McQ by Alexander Fall 2012 Lookbook Stars a Stately Meghan Collison
Tattooed Vixen Visuals
Liz Clements Renders Ethereal Women with Extreme Body Art
Body Art Portrait Books
London Tattoos by Alex Macnaughton Explores Unique UK Ink
Intricate Geometric Adornments
The Hot Pop Factory Jewelry Line is Sharp
Nautical Biker Lookbooks
The DSquared2 Resort 2013 Collection Fiercely Fuses Two Styles
Hippie-Inspired Jean Tutorials
'DIY Tie Dye Denim' by Honestly WTF is Impactful
55 Painfully Peculiar Piercings
From Pinheads to Princesses These Looks are Sharp
Chic Military-Patterned Purses
The ‘a pair and a spare’ DIY Camo Clutch Will Lead a Fa
Occult-Themed Tattoo Art
Tom Gilmour Creates Symbolism-Inspired Body Ink
Marvel Motorcycle Tattoos
Alivia Marie Makes Geek Art Intimidating with Her Avenger Artwork
Pierced Punk Athletic Wear
The 'Hanging Around' Sport and Street Magazine Photoshoot is Raw
Baby Breakfast Costumes
TheCostumeCafe Egg with Bacon Ensemble is Adorable
Ebony Moth Installations
Black Cloud by Carlos Amorales is an Impressive and Intimidating Swarm
Aluminum-Framed Phone Cases
The Esterism Embrace 4 Bumper Case Floats in its Shell
Portable Crate-Like Cabins
The Whangapoua Sled House is Designed for Adaptable Beachside Living
Jagged DIY Dagger Jewelry
The Stripes + Sequins ‘Spike Bracelet’ is Easy to Make
Wilting White Spaces
The Le Cercle Ferme Installation Questions the Boundary of Traditional Rooms
45 Instagram-Inspired Photography Products
From Retro Fashion Jewelry to Vintage Photo Printers
Explicitly Nautical Cosmetic Lines
The MAC 'Hey, Sailor!' Collection is Modeled After Pin-Up Girls
Smart Phone Projectors
The 'PRJ016 iPhone Micro Projector' Displays Your Work on the Big Screen
Transparent Time Keepers
The 'Chameleon Clock' for iPhone or iPad Blends In
Flowering Fresnel Lighting
The RSA House Chandelier by Troika is Technologically Modern
Notification Phone Covers
The FLASHr iPhone Case Ensures You'll Never Miss a Call
Refined Simplicity Lookbooks
The Alexander Wang Resort 2013 is Effortlessly Cool
Screen-Cleaning Cases
The Loyto Esineide O Case is a Handy Solution for iPhone Case
Baby-Inspired Grown-Up Photography
Lee Goldup for VICE Magazine Pays Tribute to Anne Geddes
DIY Vintage Accessories
The DIY Pearl Collar Adds Some Bling to Any Outfit
Titillating Tattoo Captures
This Photography by Robin Waters is Causing a Stir
Comfy Customizable Kicks
KellismCo Custom TOMS Give the Slip Ons Individual Paintjobs
Subtle Sequin-Patched Sweaters
This 'a pair and a spare' DIY Creation Shimmers with Sophistication
Retro Arcade Art Installations
The 3D Ms. Pac-Man Display is Interactive and Fun
Greasy Meat Outfits
The Bacon Costume Will Make any Halloween-Goer Drool
Thrifty Bedazzled Bags
The 'a pair and a spare' DIY Rhinestone-Embellished Coach Duffle
Bold Bullet Beads
The Raven + Lily Africa Collection Repurposes Shells into Jewelry
Potted Plant Confections
These Succulent Cupcakes Will Keep Your Guests Guessing
Tattoo Parlor Editorials
The W Korea May 2012 Photoshoot Stars an Inked Milou van Groesen
Buff Tattooed Pictorials
The Daniel Osborne Male Model Scene Exclusive is Tough and Toned
DIY Floral Crowns
The Refinery 29 Flower Hairpiece is Summer-Ready
Sweet Superhero Treats
These Avengers Cupcakes are the Tastiest Way to Geek Out
Designer-Patterned Protectors
The Marc by Marc Jacobs x Incase iPhone Cases are Affordably Chic
Rainbow Foil Pavilions
Poetic Cosmos of the Breath by Tomas Saraceno is Inflated at Dawn
Drunken DIY Gummies
The Serious Eats Rummy Bears Will Get You Tastefully Tipsy
Cartoon Body Art Blogs
The Disneyink Tumblr Features Deviant Tattoos with High Nostalgic Value
Logo Tattoo Ads
The Saatchi & Saatchi Lovemarks Campaign Relies on Emotion Not Reason
Cute Character Lighting
The Mossbo Solar Lamp Teaches Children the Importance of Eco-Friendliness
Religion of Politics
This Stephen Prothero Speech Outlines the Controversy of Spirituality
Rugged Smartphone Protectors
The 'SYSTM' Collection by Incase Offer Cases Made to Withstand it All
Utiliatarian Smartphone Clips
The franc iPhone Card Case is Minimalism at its Best
DIY Retro Cupcake Jars
The 'Running With Glitter' Blog Shows You How to Make Rainbow Cakes
Picture-Editing App Charts
The Instagram Nation Infographic Details the Success of the Program
Sinuous Paper Necklaces
Lital Mendel's Just One More... Collection Has a Mind of Its Own
Socially Responsible Watches
Epic Timepieces Strives to Have Haitians Live with Clean Water
Fruity Ink Illustrations
Banana Tattoos by Phil Hansen is a Series of Badass Stamped Food
Cowboy-Inspired Baby Carriers
The 'Baby Hjölster' Holds Your Child Western Style
Avian Cut-Out Chokers
The Haoshi Design Silhouette Necklaces Accent the Clavicle
Sugary Pop Culture Mashups
The Hello Kitty x Avengers Cupcakes are Daring and Cutesy
Director-Switched Movie Posters
The 'Hunger Games Imposters' Put a Twist on the Dystopian World
Folksy Geometric Cases
The Clare Rojas Incase Collection Embraces Technology and Art
iPhone-Inspired Android Apps
Google Play Releases the Instagram Application for Non-Apple Devices
Retro Party-Ready Residences
The Atenas 038 House by Dayala + Rafael Arquitetura is Stunning
Insured Phone Sleeves
The ‘Cell Helmet’ is a Great Warranty Investment
DIY Berry Lip Stains
The Beauty Department Ladies are Whipping Up Tasty Edible Cosmetics
DIY Travel Toys
Wee Mouse Tin House is Cute and Compact
Shrinking Horror Movie Corridors
The Hitchcock Hallway Art Installation Could Drive One to Madness
Undulating Utopian Offices
Kaffee Headquarters is an Elegant & Modern Architectural Masterpiece
Baby Star Wars Jumpers
The 'Darth Vader Onesie' is Absolutely Adorable
DIY Character Pen Pots
The DIY LEGO Pencil Holder is for Fans Who Simply Adore the Blocks
Spiky Bejeweled Necklaces
The Crystal Ship Necklace by Lizzie Fortunato Jewels is Dazzling
DIY Chic Jack-O-Lanterns
For the Coolest Halloween Pumpkin Try Funky Ombre Pumpkins
Sea Life Lighting
The 'Manta Pendant Lamp' is Sleek and Functional
Reflective Coliseum Structures
The Ring Installation by Arnaud LaPierre and AUDI is Optically Bold
Luminescent Anatomy Art
'Anatomical Neon' by Jessica Lloyd-Jones is a Bedazzling Spectacle
Badass Body Art Beauties
Serch Galindo Paints Digital Women with Impressive Tattoos
Deep Sea Accessories
The 'Amrita Singh Coral Branch Necklace' Boasts a Gorgeous Ocean Theme
Tattoo-Inspired Prints
These John C. Thurbin Works are Monochromatic and Minamalist
Foldable Green Paneled Abodes
The M-Velope by Michael Jantzen is a Sustainable Art Structure
Media-Inspired Mobile Add-Ons
The Paparazzo iPhone Camera Flash Improves Picture Quality
Chunky Button Lighting
The Point P Wall Lamp is Quirky and Cartoonish
Punk Pastel Shorts
The Kaleidoscope Eyes Ombre Shorts are Incredibly Chic
Waterproof Smart Phone Casings
The 'Outride' by Mophie Turns iPhones into Underwater Cameras
Footwear-Inspired Phone Protectors
The MSTRPLN Minimal Sneaker iPhone Cases are Iconic
Chip-Crowned Cakes
These Highway to Heaven Cupcakes are Shamelessly Over-the-Top
Insect-Encircling Chokers
The Lovisetto Butterfly Bib Necklace Makes a Statement
Festive Freezer Pops
These Easter Egg Popsicles Offer Hip Holiday Refreshment
Needle-Skewered Craft Cakes
These Nifty Knitting Cupcakes Will Wow and Delight Your Sewing Circle
Corn Husk-Clad Cakes
These Chocolate Tamale Cupcakes Will Make Any Fiesta Touch Sweeter
Pop Culture-Inspired Onsies
The Mi Cielo Baby Bodysuits are Adorable and Eco Friendly
Rejuvenated Ink Ads
The Neko Tattoo Art Studio Campaign Encourages People to ‘Cover Up the O
Playful Cube Offices
The Swedish Lecor Headquarters Features Bold Geometric Accents
Vigilante Baby Costumes
The Batgirl Onesie is Perfect for a Heroic Halloween
DIY Shade Designs
'Her New Leaf' Blog Shows How to Easily Spruce up Any Sunglasses
Faux Radiator Lighting
Steve Faletti's Radiant Floor Lamp Turns On Using a Water Valve
DIY Flower Party Lights
The 'Oh Happy Day' Blog Makes Decorative Cupcake Liner Lighting
Kid-Friendly Cafes
The Phill Restaurant by Nuca Studio Features a Whimsical Concept
Construction Zone Lighting
The Charlie Davidson 'Crane Lamp' Gives a Rugged Look to Living Rooms
Chic Celebubaby Blogs
Huggies Highchair Critics Tumblr Capitalizes on Baby Celebs
Waffle-Like Phone Cases
This Vans iPhone Accessory is Shoe-Inspired
Chic Woodland Dwellings
Villa Renesse Il by Jack Hoogeboom is the Perfect Weekend Getaway Home
Phone Security Cases
The Yellow Jacket iPhone Stun Gun is a Safe Purchase
Fashion Model Rockers
Heidi Klum Rocks Out With Her Debut Song ‘Turn Up the Night’
Deliciously Devilled Cakes
The Cupcake Project's Potato and Egg Cupcakes Will Surprise and Delight
Metal USB Cables
Jon Fawcett's Une Bobine is a Flexible Cord That Also Acts as a Coiled Stand
Gold-Plated Headphones (UPDATE)
'Crystal Rocked' Makes Music Fit for a DJ King
Gold-Encrusted Editorials
The Eva Green InStyle UK June 2012 Photoshoot is Metallic
Spicy Condiment Cakes
These Wasabi and White Chocolate Cupcakes are Bursting with Sweet Heat
Virtual Reality Reviews
The Gaming is Good for You Infographic Looks at the Hobby Psychologically
Chip-Topped Soda Cakes
These Mountain Dew and Doritos Cupcakes Will Derail Your Diet
Attachable Smartphone Memorandums
The Strapya World 'Binder iPhone 4S/4 Case' Allows for Notes
Ripped Reading Guides
The 'Best Booze for Bestsellers' Infographic by Ryan Gielen is Buzzed
Nostalgic Miniature Mobile Speakers
Mini Boombox Speakers are an Awesome 90s Playback
Meticulous Seat Structures
The Screenplay Bench by Oyler Wu Collaborative is Complex