2025 Design Trends

1. AI-powered design

• Use to quickly explore ideas, refine visuals, and experiment with a styles.
• Pushes the boundaries.
• Some gen-AI tools:
  • Midjourney (image generator: retexturing and personalization – custom model)
  • Adobe Firefly (image generator: history, generative fill, upscale, composition and style references)
  • Magnific AI (upscaling/detailing images, relight, Mystic generator, style transfer)
  • Freepik (video /image generator. Reimagine – fastest variation generator, sketch to image)
  • Dale-E (image generator)
  • Recraft (vector art generator, with other features)
  • Runway (video generator: worlds – sref equivalent, frames)
  • Hailuoai (video generator)
  • Sora (video generator)
  • Wand (drawing with AI on iPad)
  • Vizkom (product design: turning sketches into renders)
  • Visual Electric (infinite canvas, collaboration)
  • Ideogram (generate text, with an infinite canvas, Magic Fill & Extend)
  • KREA (train: create custom gen AI model)
  • Flair AI (generate product photoshoots)
  • Blendbox (layering option for generated images)
  • ChatGPT (writing scripts for Adobe tools, critiquing comps and more)
  • Gemini (generate text)
  • DeepSeek (generate text)

Source: Rodney Leonardo

2. Bold minimalism x Minimalism maximalism

• • • Find a balance between simplicity and boldness.
    • Pair clean (minimal) designs with vibrant (maximal) elements (colors and patterns).
    • Contrast between bold typography, shapes and color that does not overwhelm.

Source: Mustafa Akülker

Source: Chloe Gordon

3. Gradients

• • • Dynamic, engaging, vibrant and fluid.
    • Revival and applications.

Source: Peter Gordon

Source: Prakhar Neel Sharma – Dating App

4. Pixels

• • • Retro pixels reminiscent of early video games.
    • In fonts, branding and imagery.

Source: Kevin Moran – 8-but blocky icons

Source: Vladyslav Marushchenko

Source: Shangri-La Frontier Anime ending credits

5. Custom Shapes / Geometric abstracts

• • • They tell stories.
    • Simple yet complex.
    • Blur and distort to create unique visuals, shapes and message.

Source: Behance (multiple artists)

Source: Behance (multiple artists)

Source: Jessica Fecteau – Via Rail

Source: Taxi

6. Textured grains Retro x Modernism

• • • Gritty, rugged, vintage look.
    • Blend old school with modern styling.

Source: AKOZ. Hyundai Motor Company Jung Mong-gu Foundation x Hankyung Arte TV.

7. Hyper-realistic 3D, Animation & Motion

• • • Realistic depth and movement.
    • Some 3D + Animation tools:
      • Spline
      • Blender
      • Cinema 4D
      • Adobe After Effects

Source: Pexels: Google DeepMind

8. Experimental, bold typography

• • • Reimagining type’s form and function.
    • Oversized, quirky fonts are becoming design itself.
    • A return to serif.

Source: Behance (multiple artists) – Sushi

Source: Creative Boom

9. Mixed media and experimental collages

• • • Combining various elements, textures to create a cohesive piece.
    • Collages: assembling visuals in an organic, raw way.

Source: Kacper H. Kiec

10. Mismatched & bright color combinations

• • • Embrace difference, and unconventional pairings.

Source: Zeka Graphic

11. Nature & Sustainability

• • • Trending: wood-grain, marble, foliage.
    • Combine with earth tones.

Source: Ibnul Mubin Niloy logo design

Source: Folio Illustration Agency

All credit to: Digital Synopsis | Webflow | Muzli | Piktochart | yesimadesigner | Zeka | inkbot design