As the end of the year swiftly approaches, we’re reflecting on some of the top design and consumer trends of 2025. From pop culture tie-ins to typography choices, we’re seeing businesses learn to cater to the consumer mind. In short, brands paid attention, and customers responded by gravitating toward connection, authenticity, and cultural awareness. 

Bold Minimalism

You can think of bold minimalism as traditional minimalism’s (much cooler) older sibling. Classic minimalism keeps things simple – just the essentials, with plenty of breathing room, and a limited color palette. Bold minimalism does just that, but with personality. We’re talking oversized elements, stronger contrasts, and larger typography. Basically, traditional minimalism walked so bold minimalism could run! 

Bold minimalism’s popularity this year is no coincidence. With the rise of AI-generated designs that make visuals look oddly similar, brands needed a way to stand out. Bold minimalism does that, communicating clarity and confidence, helping brands keep designs clean, and highlighting what matters most, all while avoiding the repetitive visuals AI produces.

Storytelling

As simple as it sounds, storytelling through design has been one of the most popular trends in 2025. It is no longer enough for brands to rely on aesthetics; consumers want meaning, connection, and relatability. But how can you tell a brand’s story through graphic design? One common way designers convey messages is through infographics, or the combination of information/data and art. Infographics have continued to be widely used this year because they appeal to viewers by presenting information in a concise, yet visually appealing fashion. These days, brands have about five seconds to hook us before our attention spans give out! 

Top Consumer Trends

Health and Wellness

This year, social media has been riddled with ads promoting health and wellness. These commercials and social media ads have pushed vitamins, supplements, skincare products, sleeping aids, weight loss products… the list goes on. But health and wellness brands are not just selling products; they’re selling lifestyles. Companies are leaning into the desire to feel better, live healthier, and be happier. Through curated aesthetics (which often include bold minimalism), influencer endorsements, and “science-backed results,” consumers are promised a mental and physical glow up. I’ll be honest, I’ve dabbled in some of these products myself, and suddenly found myself believing a hair growth supplement was the missing piece to my entire personality!

Blind Boxes

This year, consumers have been loving blind boxes, which combine the element of surprise with the thrill of collection. Each box looks the same on the outside, but you never know what you’re going to get – that mystery keeps the customers coming back. The biggest blind box craze of this year was the Labubu collection, with some variations becoming rare and worth a lot of money. The frenzy around these collectables showed us that simple products can become cultural moments, inspiring viral unboxing videos, time-consuming and expensive huts for special editions, and status markers.

The Overlap

Sustainability

Is it just me, or have you also heard the word “sustainability” everywhere this year? Consumers care about climate impact and ethical business practices more than ever, which has driven brands to rethink their internal design processes. As a result, brands across the globe have prioritized sustainable business practices in 2025, giving special attention to economic, environmental, and social responsibilities that yield long-term success and substantial impact.  Many businesses have highlighted these practices through annual and sustainability reports and by updating their mission statements and explanations of values. Sustainability does not just please the consumer; it increases a brand’s odds of longevity, profit, and success. 

Pop Culture Tie-ins

In 2025, everyone is online. And since people are scrolling through social media like it’s their full-time job, it’s no wonder pop culture has become the fastest way for brands to grab our attention. Corporations have found ways to tie internet crazes into their design and marketing by investing in Influencer and celebrity collaborations, playing into internet jokes and trends, and appearing in comment sections of viral videos. Think about it, if you’ve walked into a Target in the past weeks, chances are you’ve seen “Wicked” themed laundry detergent, dish soap, cereal, protein bars, and books. Or think Sabrina Carpenter and her Dunkin’ partnership. But don’t get it twisted, consumers are loving these pop culture branding elements in 2025, which is why it works!

Bring on 2026

These are only a select few of the most popular design and consumer trends this year. As brands and consumers continue to evolve, we can expect designs to become more intentional, impactful, and culturally relevant. If 2025 taught us anything, it’s that consumers are ever-changing, and so is design!