Let’s start with a disclaimer: Not all these flyers were made in 2016, but thanks to how search engines work we were only able to come across them this year. That said, we’ve seen several interesting developments in “best flyer design” practices, namely with what seems to be the waning of pure flat designs and the return of gradients — thankfully in more understated forms.
Here are some of the best flyer design samples we’ve seen from designers and creative agencies this year.
1.) Claudia Alexandrino
This hip flyer design masterfully pulls off a color palette that not a lot of other designers use.
2.) Alexandra Turban
The proliferation of the “middle-school notebook come to life” aesthetic continues to be charming.
3.) Tess Redburn
This is likely the most engaging real estate flyer we’ve seen in a long while.
4.) Face
Elaborate patterns and negative space can work together.
5.) Overloaded & Pahito
This rather old-school event flyer surprises with a well-executed blend of traditional and modern elements.
6.) Anymade
This Czech example manages to be both hip and timeless.
7.) Agência Matriz
You shouldn’t discount creative use of live elements, even in this digital age.
8.) Jimena Gamio
We hope Jenna found a great roommate! This is an incredible approach to a problem many urbanites have.
9.) Mellow
This is an expected look for many nightclub flyers, but this example takes the complexity to a different level.
10.) Suji Allen
“Tasteful kitsch,” if such a thing is possible.
11.) Karoly Kiralyfalvi
Audiophiles and musicians alike might get a kick out of this minimalist flyer.
12.) Moby Digg; ZOO,
The vaporwave look seems to have arrived in the mainstream this year.
13.) Eugenia Anselmo
This flyer is a solid piece of information design.
14.) Das Department
It’s hard to get rid of this kind of minimalist style no matter how sick you might be of it. It just works.
15.) BZOING
The washed-out aesthetic of old catalogs and other ephemera wasn’t intentional and was mostly due to a limit of old printing technologies. This example combines modern style with a warm, familiar look.
16.) Company Folders
Who says gradients don’t work?
17.) Joanna Kosinska
If you’re building a design portfolio, this is how you do it.
18.) Matias Corea, Raewyn Brandon and Jocelyn K. Glei
Fold-out flyers aren’t only for more space. They can be used to emphasize one big point.
19.) Shaun Hill
This flyer masquerades as other print materials. Meta design, maybe?
20.) Julie Joanny
The “lapels” are a great touch.
21.) Loulou and Tummie
Flat design really shines in the flyer format.
22.) Darren Nguyen
Complex die-cut flyers on cardstock may not always be the cheapest or the simplest to ship — but they sure turn heads.
23.) Ellen Bruss Design
Flyers can also work when oriented horizontally. This example is specifically intended to be used either as a flyer or postcard.
24.) Bravo Company
This example from Singapore doubles as a head-turning door hanger.
25.) Goooood Company
This incredible design incorporates several of the best practices associated with minimalist design, yet isn’t simplistic. Wouldn’t mind owning one of these, just because.
26.) Olivia Olive Products
Never thought a flyer design could make olives be this exciting!
27.) Kyary Pamyu Pamyu
This eye-catching promotional flyer by Tower Records for J-Pop singer Kyary Pamyu Pamyu has unexpectedly punk roots.
28.) Shop Spotlight
This isn’t exactly what many of us think when we hear the word “timeless”. But this is exactly what this design is. Come back to it in 10 or 20 years and we’ll bet it still works great.
29.) Baby Jupiter
One color design was once borne out of necessity. No one needs to execute these designs anymore, but they can still look great.
30.) Ed Price
The “techo” look seems ingrained into many nightclub flyer designs. This example manages to avoid looking like everything else, which is saying something.
31.) Marco Oggian
One problem many minimalist designs have is that they are minimal to the point of omitting import info. This flyer does it right.
32.) Zim & Zou
Hey, we like penguins.
33.) Ross Gunter
Using a matte stock makes a difference. This design would not work quite as well with a gloss finish.
34.) Giuseppe Fierro
Straightforward design is often the best, especially when lots of important information is involved.
35.) Michael Higginson
It’s fairly challenging to make these many different fonts work together.
36.) Andersdenkend
Gradients and flat design can work well together.
37.) Jacopo Severitano
Don’t discount the power of one good photo.
38.) LouLou & Tummie
This same concept would be awesome if expanded into a trifold flyer.
39.) Eszter Laki
Another standout horizontal flyer design.
40.) Nicole Jacek
This experimental flyer design uses lenticular printing to create an interesting effect.
41.) Piotr Szmilyk
Designs that require accurate edge-to-edge printing are best done through a professional printing service that offers manual proofing.
42.) Martin Azambuja
This color palette can get out of hand if you don’t know what you’re doing.
43.) Valerie Jar
I’m getting hungry.
44.) The Prince Ink Co.
The proportions of this design could easily be transposed onto a bookmark.
45.) Joris Rigerl
This flyer design calls for some extremely accurate proofing.
46.) Justin Krout
This is the best flyer design for contemporary visual design since breaking down images to their geometric basics is a staple.
47.) Kristie Kam
This Hawaiian-themed flyer blends the traditional with the fashionable.
48.) Joshua Benedikt
I’d pay to watch this, based on the flyer alone.
49.) Joel Felix
This flyer design oozes pure Americana.
50.) Steve Wolf
As does this one. It even makes the monochrome image work for it.
51.) Glenn Jones
One of the wittier concepts for a flyer we’ve seen.
52.) Guillaume Kasima
This whimsical flyer looks good enough to keep for its design alone.
53.) Rich Scott
You may have seen these around NYC. Pretty basic, but everything just works.
54.) Tobias Tietchen
The repetition in this piece really makes these otherwise basic flyers pop.
What do you think is the best flyer design you’ve seen in 2016? Comment below.
