In the fast-paced design world, trends are ever-evolving, reflecting the times, capturing shifting tastes, societal moods, and technological advancements.

Trends are more than just aesthetics; they’re a dialogue between culture, technology, and human needs. Some emerge as bold statements that set the tone for years, inspiring new movements and reshaping how we experience the world. They often balance form and function, blending ideas with practical applications to become game-changers. Think of how minimalism once revolutionized design by stripping away the unnecessary focus on clean lines and purpose or how retro styles’ resurgence has sparked nostalgia while reimagining the past for modern audiences.

However, for every groundbreaking movement, countless others fail to find their footing. Some are too niche, while others may try to solve problems that don’t exist or sacrifice functionality for novelty. In a world saturated with options, discerning which trends are worth embracing and which should be left behind is both an art and a skill.

It’s no longer enough to follow trends; designers and brands must predict what will resonate, adapt quickly, and innovate boldly to stay relevant.

Ultimately, whether design trends stand the test of time or fade into the background, each contributes to the ongoing design narrative, pushing boundaries and inspiring what comes next. We talked to designers to learn the next big things in design and what’s about to go out of style.

TRENDS THAT WILL OWN 2025

NATURE-INSPIRED DESIGN

Ecological design, which uses organic, sustainable materials and similar approaches, will become more prevalent and integrated into every aspect of design and architecture,” says Aya Tarek, a multidisciplinary artist. “This is the next logical step toward the future. People deeply crave their connection with nature and its effect on their well-being. There’s a growing collective desire to live as an extension of nature rather than within the synthetic world we are increasingly weary of. This shift is also urgent, given the current destructive impact of global warming.” 

BRAND-SPECIFIC AI IMAGERY

According to Laurent Ross, COO and Co-Owner, Oxygen, we’re entering an era where AI can understand and replicate a brand’s distinct visual DNA, creating consistent, on-brand imagery at scale. This isn’t about generic AI stock photos; it’s about sophisticated, custom visual content that feels authentically tied to a brand’s identity. “Consider how tools like Adobe Firefly can learn a company’s color palette, design preferences, and visual style, then generate countless variations of product shots, lifestyle images, and animations that maintain perfect brand consistency. With video AI like Runway and OpenAI’s Sora, even small businesses can produce cinema-quality content that previously required extensive resources and production teams. This shift doesn’t just save money—it fundamentally changes how brands can express themselves. A local coffee shop could generate daily social content that rivals major chains, or a B2B software company could generate custom 3D animations that perfectly match its brand guidelines.”

The real power, Ross adds, lies in consistency and scalability, allowing brands to maintain visual cohesion across all touchpoints without compromising creativity. 

AI AS A GAMECHANGER

Mid-journey, Dalle, and ChatGPT have all felt like creative Candy Crush. And then, Genesis was announced. “Its physics engine hyper-accurately simulates everything from soft materials to physical movement, simulating complex materials and physical movements with incredible realism,” says Elizabeth Dewar, co-founder of Violet Rae. “It will enable creatives to make interactive, lifelike visuals and experiences that feel more immersive and dynamic.”

The automation of complex simulations, Dewar adds,  means creatives will no longer have to spend time on the technical heavy lifting, freeing them to focus on experimenting with new ideas and telling richer, more compelling stories in their work. “Essentially, it gives them the power to create in once-impossible ways. For me, this AI will be the real game-changer.”  

ANTI-DESIGN; BREAKING RULES

Anti-design resonate with people, as these designs do not follow the rules that design schools teach, says Zainab Yasseen, Senior Creative Art Direct, M&C Saatchi UAE.

“Usually, they have flaws that draw attention. People engage with these very well because they look less branded. Some brands fear using them because they do not follow mainstream design rules. One brand that commonly uses them is London-based Surreal cereal on their social media. The entertainment industry uses this style, including rappers and fashion. Brands in the advertising industry need to push the envelope and be bolder when using them.”

According to Yasseen, another trend governing 2025 is Arabic-influenced designs with a Western touch in products, posters, or more designs. “A couple of years ago, art directors in the region borrowed from Western influence; last year and the coming year, especially with the rise of Saudi Arabia, they embraced the region’s cultural aspects positively and proudly.”

Also, regarding visual trends, it is the age of raw photography, she adds. “Brands like Nike, Puma, and more are not afraid to use the raw editorial style. A couple of years ago, brands were very sensitive about photography; everything had to be retouched and perfect. Big brands have started prioritizing this, as they want people to engage with their feed as they would with a friend.” 

TRENDS THAT WE’RE SO OVER

REVIVING NOSTALGIA

We’re stuck in a loop, constantly looking back instead of forward. Fashion, architecture, and art keep reviving old styles—think Y2K clothes and Brutalist buildings. “Globalization makes everything look the same, and we’re trying to be more sustainable or play it safe by reusing old ideas,” says Tarek.

“While 3D printing and fancy computer stuff show promise, we often reminisce and think that old stuff looks familiar and cooler, not different,” Tarek adds that designers, artists, and innovators – need to experiment more, learn from cultures outside the West, and use technology to imagine a future that’s not just a copy of the past. “Otherwise, we won’t have anything truly new and innovative anytime soon.”  

DESIGNING FOR APPROVAL

“Brands need to stop designing down for ‘approval’ over individuality,” says Dewar.  The endless quest for “clean” and “minimal” has turned design into a race to be invisible, she adds. This is more evident than ever in luxury branding, where logos and identities have been stripped of their personality, heritage, and stories, leaving a sterile sameness across the board. “Sanding down every sharp edge doesn’t scream modernity—it whispers indifference. Design should surprise, provoke, and unapologetically own its space, not fade into a sea of safe San Serif.” 

GENERIC STOCK PHOTOGRAPHY

Nothing screams “we didn’t try” quite like a website plastered with obvious stock photos.  This pandemic of generic imagery has reached critical mass in the B2B space, where companies seem to share a collective image library of handshakes, circuit boards, and people in suits staring thoughtfully into the distance. “Even worse are the lazy visual metaphors: a lightbulb for innovation, a puzzle piece for solutions, or building blocks spelling out industry buzzwords,” says Ross.

The problem isn’t just about aesthetics – it’s about authenticity. When every company in an industry uses the same visual language, they sacrifice their unique identity, adds Ross. “This visual homogenization doesn’t just bore viewers; it actively damages brand differentiation and makes content less engaging and memorable.” 

WESTERNIZING LOCAL ELEMENTS

“Going back to designs that are Arabic-inspired with a Western touch. While the root of these designs is inspiring, the Western touch sometimes goes overboard, so the tendency for designs to commercialize something local becomes very high,” says Yasseen.

 When local elements in design become too Western, it makes the brand seem like it’s trying too hard to fit in, Yasseen adds. “Brands should not use Arabic-inspired designs for the sake of being trendy rather than being culturally relevant. When this happens, it loses its relevance.” 

Delve deeper into human-centered and purpose-driven design, how AI is revolutionizing product design, designing the future of tourism, and more at the Innovation By Design Summit, partnered with Msheireb Properties, in Doha on May 21. Attendance at the Innovation by Design Summit is by invitation only. Delegates can register here to receive their exclusive invite.