The trends that will shape visual design this year, according to Freepik

Jane Anderson
Jane Anderson
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The consolidation of the artificial intelligence generative has helped unlock new ways to express emotions, ideas and creative approaches for thousands of users and professionals. And this will continue to be the case from now on, as its relevance and presence in the definition of visual communication grows.

freepik, technological company of audiovisual resources and artificial intelligence solutions, reflects the influence of technology in its trends report for this year. The company highlights six major currents that will define visual design in the coming months:

Resurgence of maximalism

He maximalism, understood as the celebration of excess, it is gaining strength as an alternative to the minimalism that has marked recent years. It is characterized by the visual exuberancebold colors and intricate details. The focus is on excess through complex layers, visual interaction and an “overload” that uses intense tones to capture attention and reinforce the identity and personality of each brand.

The typography also plays an important role. Maximalism relies on large fountains that dominate the space, with a fun and peculiar character, and that provide dynamism.

nostalgic future

The combination of past and future results in the trend of the “nostalgic future”, which is characterized by two main currents: the exploration of options aesthetics of the 2000s and 2010s and “technological charm.”

The first of the currents is in turn supported by two main aesthetics. On the one hand, the “indie sleaze”, which fuses grunge, punk and vintage codes and is characterized by its raw energy, low-quality photography and typography that evokes the culture of fanzines and the underground scene. On the other hand, analog aesthetics, which relies on techniques such as screen printing or analog photography to achieve a design that moves away from digital perfection.

For his part, the “technological charm”, according to Freepik, “explores idealized futuristic visions from the 1960s to the 1980s, spanning classic retrofuturism and neo techno brutalism”. He retrofuturism sIt is based on rounded shapes, vibrant colors and vintage technology, capturing a sense of fascination with scientific progress and space exploration. This style radiates an optimistic and warm vision of the future.

Furthermore, the neo techno brutalism combines digital brutalism with futuristic minimalism, and relies on strong geometry and industrial materials for a high-tech look. It offers two aspects, one that opts for dark tones and robustness, and another that prefers clean lines and metallic colors to convey elegance.

Design inspired by nature

The presence of nature in design has been a constant in recent years, and will continue to be so in the future. We are committed to a return to the essentials, with natural textures and soft tones, as well as by compositions that evoke calm and
authenticity.

This trend can be seen in different expressions, highlighting the one that opts for soft and ethereal aspects to create almost mystical atmospheres; and another that fuses the natural with the digital, mixing natural textures with hyper-realistic details.

Meta-spirituality

The year 2025 will be characterized by the intersection between artificial intelligence and emotions, expressed through the way in which technological advances will allow human feelings to be reflected.

According to Freepik, this trend will seek to reflect issues such as dissociation – the disconnection from the digital age -, contemplation – transmitting introspection and stillness -, radical acceptance – the embrace of imperfections – and neoaltruism – empathy and community in modernity. -.

world building

The visual design of the coming months will seek the construction of worlds and universes. In this trend, the isometric design -representation of a three-dimensional object in two dimensions-, thanks to its ability to create a three-dimensional illusion that immediately attracts attention. It is strongly linked to virtual worlds, and is often used in video games to create immersive environments and aesthetically attractive.

For his part, the 3D design It has gone from being a technical tool to an artistic resource that explores texture, lighting and movement, and captures attention thanks to its sensory experience. Integrate objects, scenes, typography or 3D animations.

Transhumanism

Faced with the evocation of nature and the organic, a trend that stands out this year will be hypersurrealism and the transhumanist aesthetics. The first combines the everyday with the extraordinary and conveys a feeling of escapism with hyperrealistic textures and intricate details. For its part, the second relies on cybernetic elements, metallic details, futuristic beauty and bionic fashion.

The report also includes some data related to the increase in global searches of certain concepts during 2024, compared to 2023, that illustrate the interests of creators. For example, the search for “collages” grew 44% compared to the previous year; while “retro style” it did so by 61%.

Of note, for example, is the increase in searches (+100%) for “mocha mousse”, chosen Pantone Color of the Year 2025, or for the term “sustainability” (+30%). Also reflecting the aforementioned trends is the increase in searches for “3D effect” (+70%) or “avatar ai” (+75%).

More info.: Freepik Visual and Graphic Trends 2025