Swooshes.

80's

What you're alluding to is 'off-the-shelf' design.
Which goes against everything creative.

I doubt that's off the shelf.
Sure it's a cliché, but don't you think the designer drew the shapes?
It may not be big-idea "creative", but it is nicely crafted.
You can see the attention to detail in the proportional figures.

Not really a style. More of a visual element (wave/curve).

.

> Wave, swirl?

I'd call it a wave or swoosh. Elements like that can create a feeling of movement, grace, fluidity, etc.

> Does anyone have any lists...

If you Google for "design trends" or "logo trends" or similar phrases you might find some useful articles, although they'd be skewed towards trendy elements rather than classic design principles.

Most designers build a collection of clip files for reference and inspiration, although obviously you don't want to simply swipe some other designer's ideas but rather use them to help stimulate your own thinking.

Other design elements used in this piece:

"mis-registration"
figure/ground ambiguity
rotational symmetry
gradients: wisps/stripes/highlights
fuschia and gray color scheme
bold cap condensed sans serif fonts
collage of close-cut personalities
bling

Client-pleasers one and all.

HI guys thanks for the posts, Nick do you list your design elements like that somewhere or is that something you just subconsciously know when you look at a piece of design? When talking to a client do you talk to them in those terms when trying to explain what could be good for them?

No, I just looked at that piece and saw what the designer had done.
I generally show clients several options and see which they like best, and never discuss technique.
I think the most you can do with the graphic part of a design is to discuss its tone, because that is something that clients have a very intuitive feel for. If they like it, they like it, if they don't it may seem to them to be too old-fashioned, too dull, or not upscale enough, &c. &c., or they may just not like it and not know why, but mention that they like the Papyrus font.

I call that the Ribbon Device, as does a major soft drink company, I believe.

TF22Raptor, you need to practice a bit more at critically assessing a piece of design and what it achieves. Once you're good at that you can focus on the desired outcomes with your clients rather than the technical and material methods of achieving those outcomes.

You don't have to have a name for everything you do, but you will need a good reason justifying it to the client and a clear explanation of how it helps them achieve their stated goals.

...a clear explanation...
Failing that, awesome bullshit.

@Nick

But you know that in the process of making that, they made quite a document, no?

Well yeah ... I don't use the word bullshit disparagingly, but in the strict Frankfurtian sense.
Chickenshit is a more derogatory term.

Universe expansion? Attraction theory? WTF?
I'd love to be able to get to a point where I could create such a document, for such a client.