Adobe 2025 Creative Trends Claims Surrealism Isn’t Just for AI

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2025 is a year of design contradictions, where surrealism meets reality, humor takes center stage, and retro-futurism rewinds to the future.

Key takeaways

• Surrealism isn’t exclusive to AI; traditional creators are embracing the fantastical, too.
• Levity reigns supreme: bold memes and playful tones connect brands to consumers.
• Retrofuturism rewinds the past to leap into the future, captivating even Gen Z.
• Adobe’s trends reflect our craving for escapism paired with grounded reality.

Surrealism: Escapism and reality collide

It’s that time of year again when design authorities across the web share their predictions for the next 12 months in design.

We’ve already seen Canva’s 2025 design trends, and now Adobe has shared its forecast for the year ahead. 

Adobe foresees 2025 as a surrealist playground, blending dreamlike visuals with sleek execution.

“Metallics blend with pops of color, while natural elements juxtapose with the unnatural to create never-before-seen imagery,” Adobe predicts. 

They challenge the AI-exclusive narrative, asserting, “We are seeing this trend in traditionally produced commercial projects just as often as in AI-generated content.”

Levity and laughter: Humor builds relatability

Brands are leaning into humor as memes and playful posts dominate social sharing.

“Companies are crafting humorous posts to reach larger audiences,” Adobe states, emphasizing how this casual, relatable tone strengthens brand-consumer bonds.

Retro futurism: Past meets future

2025 revives retro-futurism, blending vintage aesthetics with futuristic design. 

“This juxtaposition of past and future is capturing the attention of Gen Zers,” Adobe highlights, adding that Gen Z’s fascination with eras they’ve never experienced reshapes this trend. 

They credit AI for its role in popularizing this look but stress that traditional methods drive its adoption equally.

Adobe’s forecast isn’t just a glimpse into trends—it’s a testament to how creators are defying conventions to reflect a desire for escapism and a connection to reality. 

Source: Creative Bloq

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