As we step into 2025, the world of graphic design is set to undergo a dramatic transformation. 

Fueled by cutting-edge technologies, shifting cultural influences and a renewed appreciation for tactile, nostalgic aesthetics, this year promises to be a thrilling ride for designers of all skill levels. From AI-driven design innovations to the resurgence of handcrafted elements, 2025 will bridge the digital and physical worlds in unprecedented ways.

To help you stay ahead of the curve, we’ve tapped into the expertise of 7 accomplished Skillshare teachers who live and breathe design. Their insights provide a deeper understanding of 9 design trends shaping the industry and practical advice for incorporating them into your own work. Whether you’re a seasoned designer or are just getting started, this guide is your roadmap to the next year of creativity.

Meet the Experts

Before we dive into the trends, let's meet the 7 designers we've collaborated with:

Carrie Cantwell.

Carrie Cantwell

Carrie is an illustrator, surface pattern designer and Skillshare Top Teacher who believes that community is more important than competition. Follow her Patreon-based Graphics Gang community or her new podcast, Two Cranky Creatives.

Evgeniya Righini-Brand

Evgeniya is a graphic designer, visual artist and educator with 13 years of teaching experience, both at universities and online. In addition to teaching on Skillshare, she publishes content on her site, Attitude Creative.

Jason Miller.

Jason Miller

When he's not running his London-based design business, JM Graphic Design, he aims to help aspiring designers shorten their learning curve and achieve freelance success faster.

Jenny Lezan.

Jenny Lezan

Jenny is a multidisciplinary creative with a background in fashion, graphic design, illustration and digital media. She spent over a decade teaching in higher education before transitioning online and now runs her own studio, Bella+Sophia Creative.

Kate Silver.

Kate Silver

Kate is a graphic and shoe designer who has been teaching students how to use graphic design tools for over six years. She also publishes design-focused YouTube videos (like this one on Adobe InDesign's 2025 updates) where viewers can find a wealth of free insights.

Tim Wilson

Tim divides his time between training leading brands in design and photography, and undertaking creative projects himself. He has lectured university students in graphic design and photography.


Derrick Mitchell.

Derrick Mitchell

Derrick is a creative entrepreneur who thrives at the crossroads of art, technology, and marketing. Derrick shares his expertise on his YouTube channel and Behance page, offering practical insights and inspiration to fellow designers.

Now we've met the designers, let's dive into the trends they shared with us.

Trend #1: AI-Powered Designs

Photoshop open on a computer. The canvas depicts a photo of a woman with pink curly hair. The user is using the software’s Sky Replacement feature to add a pink and blue sunset sky to the photo.

Artificial Intelligence is no longer just a tool—it’s a collaborator in the design process. AI-powered tools leverage machine learning algorithms to generate, adapt and enhance designs more efficiently than ever before. From crafting logos to generating layouts, AI is allowing graphic designers to push the boundaries while streamlining their workflows.

Large brands such as Nike are using custom AI models to generate new product designs and even help customers find shoes that fit, while small businesses are using AI tools like Adobe Firefly and Canva's Magic Studio to craft cohesive social media aesthetics with minimal effort.

What Our Experts Had to Say

As Jason explained, the low cost and widespread availability of AI tools will create a level playing field where everyone has equal access to a certain standard of graphic design. While some brands will simply use that situation to save money, others will recognize the opportunity to stand out from the crowd by striving for a higher design standard.

For designers, Jason believes that the key to using AI effectively is looking for ways to integrate it with your process, without losing creativity or lowering the overall result.

Derrick echoes the stance of using AI as an assistance rather than a solution, noting its potential to open up creative arts to newcomers: “Beyond speed and innovation, AI is enabling democratization in design, making sophisticated tools accessible to beginners and professionals alike.” 

Evgeniya says that although AI will allow some creatives to take their work to a new level and explore new concepts and approaches, it's crucial to emphasize human creativity, skills and attention to detail, as well as to remind the design industry of the value that skilled, imaginative and knowledgeable creatives bring to the table.

How Designers Can Use This Trend

  • Experiment with AI-powered design tools to learn how they work and what they produce.
  • Try combining AI-generated elements with your own personal touch to create unique, hybrid designs.
  • Learn more about generative AI models and prompt engineering to harness the full potential of this trend.

Trend #2: Whimsical, Girly Elements

A digital illustration of a gray manatee surrounded by pink flowers, green leaves and delicate sparkles.

Delicate, playful and bold, whimsical, girly elements are poised to make waves in 2025. This trend blends pastel palettes, floral motifs, and doodle-like accents to create designs that feel both lighthearted and refined.

You can see this trend in action across the fashion and beauty industries, with cosmetics brands like Rare Beauty and Gisou opting for pastel packaging and dreamy product photos.

What Our Experts Had to Say

Carrie thinks "the girly trend is going strong so leaning into that hits the Rococo trend, the ever-popular bows, dolls, coquette and also demure feminine. Think innocence with flair."

"Pinterest Predicts just shared that Rococo is going to be huge" in 2025, she explained, "and it's the perfect example of how the feminine trend shows no signs of stopping. Imagine three-tiered cakes with bows in bright aqua, pink and pale lemon yellow and you're on the right track."

How Designers Can Use This Trend

  • Incorporate girly hand-drawn elements like hearts, stars or flowers.
  • Use soft pastels and plenty of pinks to evoke a dreamy aesthetic.
  • Get inspiration from movies like Marie Antoinette and series like Bridgerton.

Trend #3: Nostalgic & Retro Aesthetics

In 2025, nostalgic and retro design aesthetics are captivating audiences by reimagining design trends from the '00s, '90s, '80s, '70s and even earlier. This trend thrives on vibrant color palettes, bold geometric shapes, pixelated graphics, and vintage-inspired typography that evoke a sense of familiarity and sentimentality.

Case in point, Sabrina Carpenter's retro-themed music videos and Olipop's vintage-inspired beverage packaging. From album covers to website designs, brands are using this aesthetic to connect with audiences through shared memories and nostalgia.

What Our Experts Had to Say

Jenny predicts that "this trend of tapping into the past and bringing the ideas into the current times continues strong in 2025."

She explains that "this trend is all about mixing old school influences with more modern styles to create this warm and familiar feeling. Designers are drawing inspiration not only from visuals and concepts, but even from retro color palettes," such as the muted tones of the 70s, the vibrant neons of the 80s and the grungy shades of the 90s.

How Designers Can Use This Trend

  • Experiment with retro colors like mustard yellows, electric blues, and warm oranges.
  • Incorporate retro-inspired fonts to complete the look.
  • Try adding vintage-inspired effects like grainy overlays or distressed textures.

Trend #4: Sustainable, More Ethical Designs 

An illustration that pictures outstretched arms of various skin tones. Each arm is printed with white text that reads ‘worthy.’

In the coming year, sustainable and ethical designs are shaping a future where creativity serves both the planet and its people. This trend encompasses earthy, eco-inspired aesthetics—think muted colors, natural textures and organic shapes—paired with design practices that champion inclusivity and social responsibility.

Brands like Patagonia and Lush are leading the way with campaigns that incorporate earthy visuals while advocating for environmental and social causes. Meanwhile, digital platforms are embracing accessibility features, such as bold, legible typography and color palettes designed to accommodate visual impairments, which makes inclusivity a core part of the design process.

What Our Experts Had to Say

In Jenny's words, "the final trend that I want to highlight for 2025 is one that I have seen in previous years, that I don’t think will be slowing down yet. It is the continued focus on sustainable and ethical design. This is a movement that focuses on ideals such as: inclusivity and social responsibility."

She says that "designers are increasingly prioritizing the impact of their work on the environment and society, making sure that the work they do contributes positively to the world."

"With this trend overall," Jenny explains, "we see designers moving away from purely aesthetic considerations keeping in mind a more holistic approach that really thinks about the lifecycle of their work, including things like materials, the cultural implications of visuals and the accessibility of design."

This trend is important because "it's not just about aesthetics anymore, it's [also] about really prioritizing understanding and addressing the needs of the humans who interact with it, ensuring that designed media, products and services are not only functional but also beneficial, accessible and considerate of diverse human experiences."

Kate also said that she expects to see more sustainable designs in 2025. Those could include elements like "cardboards, sustainable packaging [and] minimal type."

How Designers Can Use This Trend

  • Use natural textures, hand-drawn elements and earthy tones to represent sustainability in your visuals.
  • Ensure your designs are inclusive by adopting accessibility standards like sufficient color contrast and alt text
  • Make an effort to take on projects that prioritize ethical messaging and advocate for social change.

Trend #5: Authentic & Handmade Touches 

A person’s hand holding a piece of white paper that’s printed with black text. The paper has been crumpled to create creases throughout the text.

Refreshingly authentic and handmade touches are bringing a heartfelt, human element back to graphic design in 2025. This trend celebrates imperfection through hand-drawn illustrations, brush stroke textures and irregular typography, which all come together to create visuals that feel personal, cozy and relatable.

You’re likely to see this trend being used by artisanal coffee brands like Stumptown Coffee Roasters, as well as stationery and decor companies like Rifle Paper Co.

What Our Experts Had to Say

In Evgeniya's view, "the divide between the AI-generated designs and human craftsmanship…will become even more apparent with some creatives embracing the experimental AI image-making and serialising their work using the AI tools, and other creatives sticking to making visuals from scratch themselves, honing their style and highlighting their own craftsmanship and effort they put into their work."

Likewise, Tim says that textures "give a more hand-made look to illustrations" and help distinguish them from AI-generated work.

Jenny agrees, noting that "another trend that really incorporates a tactile vibe" is that of scratchy textures. "With this trend," she elaborated, "we are seeing a bit of a pushback against that very plastic-y perfection that is a bit evident with AI. The idea is incorporating the presence of human touch."

How Designers Can Use This Trend

  • Incorporate hand-drawn icons, custom typography or tactical textures to add a personal touch to your projects.
  • Experiment with physical media like ink or watercolor, then digitize your creations for a hybrid look.
  • Avoid over-editing, and embrace the imperfections that make your designs unique.

Trend #6: Motion Graphics

Motion graphics are taking center stage in 2025, and it's not hard to see why. They transform static visuals into dynamic, engaging experiences, and they effectively capture attention in a content-saturated world.

This trend is widely seen in social media ads, where major brands like Microsoft and Adobe are using fluid animations and energetic typography to elevate their messaging. Websites are also integrating motion into user interfaces, with scrolling effects and animated buttons enhancing interactivity—just check out Apple's website for some prime examples.

And even in the physical world, some packaging design incorporates AR-powered motion elements for a more immersive experience.

What Our Experts Had to Say

Jenny says that "motion graphics continue to inspire graphic designers to play around with movement in their work." In 2025, she expects the trends of motion and movement to elevate static designs "by adding movement that sparks playful interest in the viewer."

And "with the ongoing rise of video content," she explained, "this trend is expected to grow even further, especially with the advancement of motion graphic tools at the fingertips of even casual users."

She believes that "Procreate Dreams has truly expanded the possibilities of this design trend," since it offers an easy learning curve that makes it accessible to anyone.

How Designers Can Use This Trend

  • Start with simple animations like text fades or ripple effects to add a touch of motion to your designs.
  • Use tools like Adobe After Effects or Procreate Dreams to experiment with motion graphics further.
  • Avoid going overboard by making sure that your animations enhance the user experience and don’t overwhelm the design.

Trend #7: Thoughtful Minimalism

A person’s hand holding an Apple Pencil above an iPad. They’re using the iPad to create a drawing of a stoppered glass bottle against a pink background. There is a blue and pink gradient-toned snake wrapping around the bottle, and small white illustrations of a moon and plants around it.

This year, thoughtful minimalism is refining the "less is more" philosophy by adding intentionality and depth to pared-down designs. 

This trend focuses on clean layouts, ample blank space and simple color palettes while incorporating meaningful elements like precise typography, subtle textures or a single standout feature that tells a compelling story. The result is minimalist design that retains its emotional resonance and impact.

Behemoth brands like Apple and Starbucks continue to lead in this aesthetic as they blend sleek visuals with catchy taglines. Thoughtful minimalism is especially abundant in the world of digital design, where apps and websites of all sizes use minimalist interfaces to enhance usability. 

Even print materials, like luxury packaging, embrace this trend with monochrome schemes and understated elegance—take a look at the packaging of beauty brand Herbivore Botanicals to see how.

What Our Experts Had to Say

Tim says that "beautifully designed minimalism" is taking off because "In a crowded graphical world, you want your message [to be] seen."

Similarly, Jenny thinks that "this trend really focuses on functional design that offers a calmer and softer approach." And although she sees this trend working well for health, wellness and clean beauty brands in particular, she notes that "even tech brands…want to swing toward the other side of the aesthetic scale and focus on calmer user interactions."

So "while a lot of the trends we see on the horizon for 2025 are bold and in your face, I see the [thoughtful minimalism] trend showcasing timeless, calm and practical designs. You will see clean uncluttered layouts, natural materials, muted tones and designs that are minimal."

How Designers Can Use This Trend

  • Prioritize functionality by stripping away unnecessary elements and focusing on what truly matters in your design.
  • Strategically use white space to draw attention to key features, words or content.
  • Experiment with textures, unique fonts or unexpected accent colors to add depth without compromising simplicity.

Trend #8: Scrapbook-Inspired Collages

A vintage scientific illustration of an elk next to text that says ‘source & mix digital collage from vintage encyclopedia illustrations’ in a mixture of fonts.

Not into minimalism? No problem: Playful scrapbook-inspired collages are bringing a fun, eclectic feel to 2025’s graphic design scene. 

As the visual counterpart to interior design's viral cluttercore trend, this aesthetic thrives on layering mismatched textures, torn edges, handwritten notes and overlapping elements to create a vibrant, chaotic harmony. It’s a celebration of imperfection and individuality, and effectively turns visual noise into a design statement.

This trend is gaining traction in social media branding, with Instagram posts and TikTok graphics embracing collages of polaroid-style images, taped corners and doodled accents. Celebrities like Olivia Rodrigo and brands like Urban Outfitters are also incorporating this aesthetic in their campaigns, merchandise and print designs, which appeals to audiences who crave nostalgia, fun and creative freedom.

What Our Experts Had to Say

Jenny notes that she is "seeing more and more designers tapping into traditional art forms and bringing it into the digital realm. 2025 is bringing the charm of old-school scrapbooking into digital design with a more curated approach using structure, placement and balance."

This charming trend "is all about Incorporating layering and collaging images, cutouts, doodles, tape and stickers in a carefree, but focused way." Designers can even incorporate "nostalgic texture details like polaroids, torn edges and paper as well as hand-drawn touches such as drawings, scribbles and handwritten fonts."

Kate also predicts that collages will be a major trend in 2025, and explains that they can be made of a combination of designers' own art that's mixed with AI-generated images, scribbles, doodles, and handwritten text.    

How Designers Can Use This Trend

  • Mix and match textures like paper, fabric, stickers and tape to craft layered, tactile designs.
  • Try using tools like Procreate or Photoshop to create digital collages that mimic the handmade look.
  • Don’t aim for perfection—instead, embrace the chaos and let each layer tell its own visual story.

Trend #9: Heat Map-Style Gradients

A grid of various vibrant gradient graphics. Each one features a different word in white text, such as ‘attention,’ ‘precision,’ ‘focus’ and ‘capture.’

Heat map-inspired gradients are turning up the temperature in 2025’s graphic design landscape. 

Inspired by thermal imaging, this trend uses vivid, overlapping gradients in fiery reds, cool blues and radiant yellows to create visuals that radiate energy and intensity. The result is a dynamic, eye-catching aesthetic that feels modern and bold.

This trend is thriving in tech branding, with companies like Instagram, Spotify and YouTube all using heat map-inspired gradients in various elements of their user interfaces. It’s also making an appearance in editorial layouts, where it adds vibrancy to otherwise static pages, and in motion graphics, where graphic designers use flowing gradients to create mesmerizing animations.

What Our Experts Had to Say

In Jenny's words, "the heat mapping mania trend is such a fun concept and a great way to pull in gradient texture in a unique way. I think this is definitely one of the more fun and exciting graphic design trends for the year. I see it being used in fun ways, particularly with poster design and web [design.]"

She says that heat map-inspired visuals "introduce more dimension to visuals and ends up engaging users by capturing their attention with great color stories in captivating patterns."

How Designers Can Use This Trend

  • Experiment with gradient maps in design software like Photoshop or Illustrator to achieve the heat map effect.
  • Pair heat map gradients with minimalist layouts to let your design's colors take center stage.
  • Use this aesthetic for projects that call for high-impact visuals, like event posters, digital ads or album art. 

How You Can Stay Ahead of the Curve in 2025

We asked our experts how they spot trends before they hit the mainstream, and they responded with a wealth of handy resources:

  • Pinterest and Instagram: Carrie and Evegniya are both fans of these visuals-focused platforms.
  • Behance and Dribbble: Jason and Jenny get inspiration from networking sites that are specifically geared toward creatives.
  • YouTube and other social media sites: Kate and Carrie turn to popular social media sites for inspiration.
  • Well-known brands, studios and creatives: Tim and Evgeniya keep an eye on popular brands, publications and professionals.
  • Real-world design: Jenny takes inspiration from restaurants, special events, pop-up shops and anywhere else with striking visual design.

And the advice they gave for other designers looking to stay ahead of the curve was even more insightful: 

Tackle AI Head-On

According to Evgeniya, "even if you are dead-against generative AI," you should still "explore its possibilities and learn what can and cannot be done. You don't have to use it in your projects, but knowing how it all works and what you're potentially up against is crucial."

And if you're not against AI, she recommends that you "experiment with it, treat it as a collaboration and see if there is any place it can have in your own workflow."

Similarly, Tim says not to be afraid of AI taking your job. Instead, "use AI to do the boring work and then tweak the artwork to make it better."

Give Clients What AI Can't

Jason predicts that "as businesses are attempting to use AI tools and many are discovering this doesn't quite meet their needs, there is a growing need to speak with a designer, be led through a process and [be provided with] strong results."

In fact, in the last year, he's already heard clients use phrases like "this looks like a basic Canva template design," and "that looks like it was AI-generated" when criticizing their own designs or those of their competitors.

So "by providing a human-centric service where you take the time to ask the right questions, speak with your clients and truly understand their needs," Jason says, "you'll be in a great position to give them exactly what they're looking for."

"This means offering to jump on Zoom calls, meet in person or just be on the other end of the phone is more important than ever. AI can't do that," he explained. "What AI can do is speed up or remove certain mundane tasks, or provide a head-start in certain processes," so be sure to use it for those things, and free up your time to focus on more meaningful creative tasks.

Collect Ideas and Stay True to Yourself

To stay inspired in the long-term, Jenny recommends that you "tap into your online and real-life resources, take photos and save images throughout the year in a special ‘trending’ folder to keep as reference for inspiration."

In the same vein, Kate advises designers to "keep looking [and] listening, and stay curious."

Jenny also suggests you "check out blogs and trend reports online," and consider subscribing to fashion and design magazines to stay up to date. Be sure to also tap into annual trend round-ups on sites like 99designs, or watch YouTube videos on the topic.

She notes that "trends are a great resource that can help guide design work and inspire you as you create your projects for the year, but don't ever feel limited by them." Rather, use them as a starting point and incorporate your own one-of-a-kind creative vision from there.

"Trends cycle in and out," Jenny reminds us, "but your personal vision is unique and is what makes people connect with your work."

Check out Jenny's own thoughts on design trends for 2025 below:

Derrick offers similar advice, encouraging us to explore trends with a sense of curiosity and self-exploration. He encourages designers “not to feel pressured to create something original or groundbreaking” and that “staying curious and consistent will naturally keep you relevant and inspired.”

He reminds us of a key nugget of wisdom, “As the saying goes, “Good artists borrow; great artists steal.” The key is to absorb ideas, make them your own, and keep creating."

Key Takeaways 

In 2025, graphic designers like you can choose from a rich landscape of fresh and inspiring trends. 

From the transformative potential of AI-powered design to the playful charm of whimsical, girly elements and the nostalgic allure of retro aesthetics, the trends shaping the year ahead are diverse, dynamic and full of energy. 

Meanwhile, ethical design practices and sustainable aesthetics are pushing the boundaries of both creativity and responsibility, while the rise of authentic, handmade touches and scrapbook-inspired layers showcase a growing desire for deeper connections and more meaningful engagement.

Ultimately, 2025 will be a year of innovation in which technology will collide with emotional resonance. And best of all, you'll be able to pick the trends that fit your style best. Whether you’re drawn to clean minimalism, vintage color palettes or vibrant, chaotic collages, there’s room for your preferred aesthetic to thrive.

To make the most of these trends, adapt them to suit your unique approach, goals and clients. And remember, honing your craft through Skillshare's online graphic design classes will help you stay on top of trends, perfect your design portfolio and take your skills to new heights. You can even schedule one-on-one sessions with some of your favorite teachers, so you can get ultra-personalized guidance from anywhere in the world. 

Written By
Carrie Buchholz

Carrie Buchholz

Carrie Buchholz is a freelance writer who lives in Northern Colorado with her husband and dog.

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