The Hottest Design Trends Expected in 2025: What to Look Out For
As we look forward to 2025, the world of design is evolving at an unprecedented pace. From cutting-edge website interfaces to app design and branding, businesses are embracing new aesthetics and user experiences to stay relevant. Based on the trends we’ve seen so far in 2024, here’s what we predict will be at the forefront of design trends in the upcoming year.
1. Immersive 3D Experiences
2024 has been a breakthrough year for immersive 3D design, with more websites and apps offering lifelike 3D visuals that create a captivating user experience. In 2025, expect this trend to go even further, with real-time rendering, virtual showrooms, and 3D product modelling becoming standard. This shift is perfect for industries like fashion, automotive, and eCommerce.
Example: Nike took their website to the next level in 2024 with a fully interactive 3D sneaker gallery, allowing users to rotate and view every angle of their products in a seamless experience. Expect more brands to follow suit.
2. AI-Driven Personalization
Artificial Intelligence (AI) has started making waves in web and app design, and 2025 will take this even further. Customisation based on user behaviour, preferences, and data will ensure that every visit feels tailored. Websites and apps will use AI to offer personalised layouts, product suggestions, and even interactive chatbots that learn and improve with each interaction.
Example: Spotify led the way in 2024 by integrating AI to generate curated playlists with “Spotify DJ X” and even redesigning its app’s user interface to highlight personalised content for each user. Look out for other industries adopting similar designs to create hyper-personalised experiences.
3. Minimalist Maximalism
While minimalism has been a dominant trend, 2025 will see the rise of “minimalist maximalism.” This fusion takes the simplicity of minimalism and pairs it with bold, statement elements—think oversized typography, intense colour splashes, and dramatic photography, but with plenty of white space to let these elements breathe.
Example: PayPal are one of many brands that ditched their classic colourful, logo and branding for a more simplified black bold logo. They’ve also changed up their branding with bold, oversized typography and the use of their blue brand colours to stand out.
4. Sustainable and Ethical Design
With climate change and sustainability at the forefront of global concerns, design in 2025 will prioritise eco-friendliness. Expect to see more sustainable web design, with energy-efficient websites, low-impact colour palettes, and ethical UX practices that reduce carbon footprints. This trend will also extend to branding, with companies emphasising sustainability in their visuals and messaging.
Example: IKEA shifted its branding in 2024 to emphasise sustainability, with a new green-centred logo and eco-friendly design elements on its website and packaging, setting a benchmark for other brands to follow.
5. Micro-Animations and Interaction Design
Small, subtle animations are gaining popularity in 2024, and in 2025, they’ll become an integral part of UX design. Micro-animations will guide users through websites and apps, making navigation more intuitive and delightful. These animations will provide feedback, subtly nudge users towards actions, and elevate the overall user experience without overwhelming the design.
Example: Dropbox introduced micro-animations into its website in 2024, helping users navigate the platform more intuitively by animating icons and buttons, enhancing the user journey without adding complexity. We expect micro-animations to be one of the next big trends as it makes UX more engaging.
6. Neomorphism 2.0
While the original Neomorphism trend in 2020 didn’t quite catch on due to accessibility issues, a more refined version is expected in 2025. Designers will adopt softer shadows, more rounded corners, and lighter textures to offer a modern, user-friendly interface that balances between flat design and skeuomorphism.
Example: Apple subtly embraced elements of Neomorphism in its 2024 iOS redesign, refining icons and interfaces with a more tactile, 3D-like feel while maintaining simplicity. Other tech companies will likely follow this direction as Apple often leads the way in latest UI/UX design trends.
7. Inclusive and Accessible Design
In 2025, accessibility will no longer be an afterthought—it will be at the core of design strategies. Websites and apps will be built to ensure accessibility for users of all abilities, from colour-blind-friendly colour palettes to intuitive voice-activated navigation. Expect brands to showcase their inclusivity in their branding and messaging.
Example: Microsoft made strides in 2024 by ensuring that its rebranded app interfaces were more accessible, with adaptive layouts and colour schemes that catered to diverse user needs. More companies will embrace accessibility in their design moving forward.
Ensuring your website and apps meet accessibility standards is essential and as a business, you could face legal action if these standards aren’t adhered to. Get in touch with us if you need help with this.
8. AI-Generated Design Elements
AI isn’t just driving personalization; it’s also entering the creative process. In 2025, we’ll see AI tools being used to generate logos, layouts, and even entire brand identities, which will allow designers to focus on refining and customizing rather than building from scratch. This will lead to faster turnaround times and more dynamic, innovative designs.
Example: Popular design apps like Adobe & Canva unveiled an AI-assisted design tool in 2024, enabling users to create professional-grade logos and layouts in a fraction of the time. As AI technology matures, more companies will integrate AI into their design process.
9. Fluid and Organic Shapes
The rigid, grid-based layouts of the past are being replaced with more fluid and organic designs. 2024 saw an increase in the use of curvilinear shapes, blobs, and abstract forms, and this trend will continue in 2025. This creates more natural, engaging designs that feel less mechanical and more user-friendly.
Example: Google rebranded its mobile app interfaces in 2024, adopting fluid shapes and curves to create a more human and approachable design. As users seek more relatable experiences, this trend will continue to grow.
Our Thoughts…
The design landscape is continually evolving, and 2025 promises to push the boundaries even further. From immersive 3D experiences to hyper-personalised user journeys and a renewed focus on sustainability, businesses need to stay ahead of these trends to remain competitive.
As always, design trends are demonstrating user-focussed improvements in every way possible, whether thats through minimalistic rebrands or looking for ways to retain attention through engaging, personalised experiences.
If your brand is ready to embrace the future of design, our team is here to help. Let’s create something extraordinary together.