Adobe’s 2025 Design Trends Forecast: Contradictions and Surprises
Surrealism is in
At the heart of Adobe’s 2025 design trends forecast is a series of contradictions. The company announces that the top trends for 2025 reflect an urge for both escapism and reality, with creators leaning into imaginative and surreal new visuals, humorous perspectives, immersive experiences, and more.
Surrealism is a trend that Adobe says isn’t just for AI. The company insists that it is seeing this trend "in traditionally produced commercial projects just as often as in AI-generated content." Surrealism is all about evoking fantastical, ethereal looks in sleek packages. Metallics blend with pops of color, while natural elements (think: sky, water, greenery) are juxtaposed with the unnatural to create never-before-seen imagery.
Levity and Laughter
Meanwhile, levity and laughter is highlighted as a 2025 trend, with bold, bright, and cheery colors coupling with unexpected pairings. Brands are discovering that memes and other funny posts are shared more often than serious posts on social platforms, so they’re crafting humorous posts to reach larger audiences. And by embracing the casual, playful tone we use online, companies are building more personal connections with consumers, making their brands feel more relatable and human.
Retro Futurism
And in another contradictory theme, retro futurism will see designers and brands looking both backward and forward, blending futuristic components with historical and vintage elements. This juxtaposition of past and future is even capturing the attention of Gen Zers, who are increasingly showing interest and even yearning for a past they didn’t experience firsthand.
Conclusion
Adobe’s 2025 design trends forecast is a collection of contradictions that demonstrate the complexity and creativity of design in the coming year. From surrealism to levity and laughter, and from retro futurism to the influence of AI, there’s no shortage of exciting trends to explore.
FAQs
Q: What is surrealism in design?
A: Surrealism in design is a trend that involves creating fantastical, ethereal looks in sleek packages. It often combines metallics with pops of color and juxtaposes natural elements with the unnatural.
Q: Is AI influencing design trends?
A: Yes, AI is influencing design trends, particularly in the areas of surrealism and retro futurism. However, Adobe insists that these trends are also being seen in traditionally produced commercial projects.
Q: What is retro futurism in design?
A: Retro futurism in design is a trend that involves blending futuristic components with historical and vintage elements. It often combines the past with the future to create a unique and interesting aesthetic.
Q: Will these design trends be popular in 2025?
A: Yes, Adobe’s 2025 design trends forecast suggests that surrealism, levity and laughter, and retro futurism will be popular design trends in the coming year.
