20 25

PHOTOGRAPHY
IN DESIGN

TREND REPORT Sasha Stavila

#5037

braden lee nikolay

#54228 #347766

zachariah hagy omar belattar

#350560 #312360
20 PHOTOGRAPHY
25
IN DESIGN

TREND REPORT

(125) (126) (127) (128) (129) (130) (131) (132) (133) (134)

The Trends
Defining 2025
(135) (136) (137) (138) (139) (140) (141) (142) (143) (144)

Let’s be real: designers have their work cut

out for them this year.

(145) (146) (147) (148) (149) (150) (151) (152) (153) (154)
Between AI overload, dwindling attention spans, and

hypersaturated content, it’s crucial for designers to cut

through the noise and stand out with work that feels

authentic, relevant, and emotionally resonant. 

At Stills, we have a broad perspective across the design (155) (156) (157) (158) (159) (160) (161) (162) (163) (164)

industry. We're a trusted source for the world's most

innovative brands and agencies, providing relevant, pre-

cleared imagery for a wide variety of creative projects. 

Our unique position at the intersection of those creating

(165) (166) (167) (168) (169) (170) (171) (172) (173) (174)

briefs and those endorsing projects gives us expert insight

into the evolving landscape of visual storytelling. Our

photography in design trend report is a valuable resource

designed to empower creatives like you with the

knowledge necessary to produce impactful, authentic

(175) (176) (177) (178) (179) (180) (181) (182) (183) (184)
work that connects with an ever-changing audience.

(185) (186) (187) (188) (189) (190) (191) (192) (193) (194)

(195) (196) (197) (198) (199) (200) (201) (202) (203) (204)
20 PHOTOGRAPHY
25
IN DESIGN

TREND REPORT

Candid Photos
PSA: audiences are tired of seeing the hyper-polished aesthetic of the 2010s.

These photos are more than just quick snapshots, though. Remember: not every moment needs to be perfect. Just
This year’s about capturing real, unfiltered moments that feel authentic. Never underestimate your audience’s eye for
raw and relatable. “We want to see more of the rough, the real, authenticity—they can always tell when something feels
and the approachable,” says content creator Victoria Stefania. staged or disingenuous.

christian sorensen hansen

#226108

thomas irwin
#212936

gS & co
#82136

sara and phil

#33569

Lauren Withrow
#319923
Photography In Design Trend Report

real,
2025

unfiltered

candid photography is more than just showcasing a quick snapshot.

This year’s emerging trend is about capturing real, unfiltered

candid photos

moments that feel raw and relatable to your audience.

Trend In Action

moments.
Rough, raw, and approachable.
Remember: not every moment needs to be perfect. Just authentic. Remember: not every moment needs to be perfect. Just authentic.

Never underestimate your audience’s eye for authenticity—they can Never underestimate your audience’s eye for authenticity—they can

always tell when something feels staged or disingenuous. always tell when something feels staged or disingenuous.
Candid Photos
 show them more than a snapshot
Photography In Design Trend Report

give them something

that feels real

2025

not every moment has to be perfect

show them more than a snapshot make them feel something real
Trend In Action

your audience knows what’s truly authentic

show them what’s raw and relatable

Candid Photos

Audiences are Tired of create unfiltered moments

Explore Exclusive
the Hyper-Polished that feel raw and relatable Candid Imagery for Your
2010’s Aesthetic Projects at Stills.com
 PHOTOGRAPHY

Candid Photos IN DESIGN

View the Board
TREND REPORT

lizzy rollins faizal wesTcott

#246317 #34342
cole wilson
#311407

tyler glass
#265143

grade solomon sara and phil

#209038 #30460

alex botton grant puckett lauren withrow

#54128 #9211 #2256

tanguy troude nathan cyprys

#282329 #334224

Aaron Tao
#263990
20 PHOTOGRAPHY
25
IN DESIGN

TREND REPORT

Abstract/Textural
In 2025, flat design feels a little… flat.

Abstract and textural imagery adds that extra oomph, giving By adding texture, designers can create a sensory connection,
your work depth and making it feel more tangible. These balancing digital precision with a more tactile quality. “It
images can soften type-heavy layouts and minimalist designs, creates a unique balance,” says UK-based content creator
creating a more engaging and grounded aesthetic. Robert McCombe. “It feels like a fusion of pre-tech and
modern design, digital and physical, leaving a more lasting
impression.”

johan knobe
#225980

elliott chau
#245480

robert palmer
#319374

jeroen van nieuwenhove

#211045

omar belattar
#341862
Photography In Design Trend Report

depth engage tangibility ground

texture digital soften connect

2025
Trend In Action

abstract balance physical fusion

/824
Abstract/Textural

Robert McCombe: “Abstract imagery feels like a fusion of

pre-tech and modern design, digital
and physical, leaving a more lasting
impression.”
 give your work depth and make it feel more
tangible with engaging abstract imagery.
Photography In Design Trend Report

create a sensory connection with your audience

ABS-STL

Abstract Imagery

08/01/23
2025
Trend In Action

801 24
abstract photography can soften type-heavy “Whether it’s discovering negative space within
layouts and minimalist designs, creating a more imagery to integrate text or experimenting with
engaging and grounded aesthetic. By adding creative layouts that blend text and visuals,
texture, designers can create a sensory abstract imagery creates a unique balance.” 

connection with their audiences. –robert mccombe
Abstract/Textural

explore abstract imagery at stills.com

 PHOTOGRAPHY

ABSTRACT TEXTURES IN DESIGN

View the Board
TREND REPORT

Roman De Giuli
#211781

Vijay Sarathy
#23646
Tanguy Troude
#245614

Molly strohl
#253839 Chanel Farkas

#309040

Jeremy Bishop

#316507

Roman Hill
#19473 Alison Scarpulla
#332236
Christian Sorensen Hansen
#222615

Alexander Silva
Sim Warren
omar belattar #337702 #226325
#301027
20 PHOTOGRAPHY
25
IN DESIGN

TREND REPORT

Dark Imagery
No, it’s not your screen settings—dark imagery is having a moment.

Between blockbusters and dramatic ad campaigns, these One common source of inspiration: the fashion industry.
visuals leverage deep shadows, muted tones, and dramatic Brands like Louis Vuitton, Gucci, and Fear of God pioneer the
contrasts to evoke emotion and intrigue. They can also amplify use of dark imagery to grab audiences' attention.

visual impact and create a strikingly modern aesthetic,

especially when paired with bold, clean typography. Just don’t go too dark, or your audience may start squinting
and complaining in the comment section.

alina nechaeva
#286826

jonathan sweet
#211346

filip gielda
#335033

harry judge
#337123

rinegg
#30715
 dark imagery deep shadows
Photography In Design Trend Report

A B C D E F
2025
Trend In Action

1 2 0 3 0 4 0 5 0 6

7 8 0 9 0 1 0 0 1 2 0 X
Dark Imagery

muted tones dramatic contrasts

 230 231 232 233 234 235 236
Photography In Design Trend Report

Between blockbusters and dramatic ad

(no, it’s not your screen settings.) campaigns, these visuals leverage deep evoke audience emotion and
amplify visual impact and create a shadows, muted tones, and dramatic intrigue with authentic dark
striking aesthetic with dark imagery. contrasts to evoke emotion and intrigue. imagery at stills.com.

230 231 232 233 234 235 236

2025
Trend In Action

Between blockbusters and dramatic ad

(no, it’s not your screen settings.) campaigns, these visuals leverage deep evoke audience emotion and
amplify visual impact and create a shadows, muted tones, and dramatic intrigue with authentic dark
striking aesthetic with dark imagery. contrasts to evoke emotion and intrigue. imagery at stills.com.

230 231 232 233 234 235 236

Dark Imagery

Between blockbusters and dramatic ad

(no, it’s not your screen settings.) campaigns, these visuals leverage deep evoke audience emotion and
amplify visual impact and create a shadows, muted tones, and dramatic intrigue with authentic dark
striking aesthetic with dark imagery. contrasts to evoke emotion and intrigue. imagery at stills.com.
 PHOTOGRAPHY

dark imagery IN DESIGN

View the Board
TREND REPORT

Rachael Galipo
Florian Fatton #351432
#301809

Jake Wangner
#31674

William DeSena Eren Sarigul

#2914 #260644

Ewan Mcloughlin
#278557

Armen Mnatsakanjan
Vijay Sarathy
Zachariah Hagy

#211267 #316416 #344944

Vincent Mejia Korbinian Grad

#282542 #272994

Annika Kafcaloudis
#33178
20 PHOTOGRAPHY
25
IN DESIGN

TREND REPORT

"Flash On"
If you aim to grab attention and feel effortlessly cool, this is your time.

Whether it’s a high-end brand or a brand looking to feel more This nostalgic style, characterized by direct lighting and vivid
relatable, high-key flash photography is increasingly being subject isolation, feels dynamic and draws attention, especially
used to create bold, high-energy visuals. “There’s a higher if your audience appreciates the Y2K aesthetic.
need for things to feel authentic and ‘real’ in the digital space
as we move forward,” Stefania says. “We’re going to see more
flash photography that displays the real and raw.”

mary caroline russell

#240318

lauren withrow
#312588

noe langronier
#351441

delaney allen
#215177

xavier autrey holschneider

#341093
 create bold, Tap Into the Y2K This nostalgic style,
high-energy Aesthetic characterized by
visuals direct lighting and
vivid subject
Photography In Design Trend Report

isolation, feels
dynamic and draws
immediate attention
—especially if your
audience
appreciates the Y2K
aesthetic.

8
“There’s a higher
need for things to
draw immediate feel authentic and
Audience attention ‘real’ in the digital
space as we move
2025

forward. We’re
going to see more
flash photography
that displays the real
spark instant and raw.” 

Trend In Action

nostalgia –Victoria Stefania

81
24
"Flash On"

Explore More “Flash On”

Photography on Stills
 1a grab attention and
feel effortlessly cool.

1b
this is your moment
Photography In Design Trend Report

create bold, high-energy spark instant nostalgia

visuals
2025

spotlight raw moments capture (and keep)

Trend In Action

audience attention

feel authentic and Real tap into the y2K

in the digital space aesthetic
"Flash On"

3e This nostalgic style, characterized by direct lighting and vivid subject isolation, feels dynamic and
draws immediate attention—especially if your audience appreciates the Y2K aesthetic.
2e
 PHOTOGRAPHY

“FLASH ON” IN DESIGN

View the Board
TREND REPORT

Alexa Jade Arnaud Moro

#313888 #343665
Erica Hinck
#248482

Aly Kula Gianluca Mortarotti

Bethany Reed
#277178 #37943 #268743

Blythe Thomas
#4238
Jericho Patrick
#344220

Alexander Silva
#338625 GS & CO
#68830

Jaymie Belknap
Ashton Davis
#351600 #352367
20 PHOTOGRAPHY
25
IN DESIGN

TREND REPORT

JPEG Artifacting
Noise is out—artifacts are in.

Incorporating JPEG artifacts into images is a rising trend that These digital imperfections tap into early-internet nostalgia
adds a raw, intentionally imperfect aesthetic. “We’re seeing a while offering a unique visual texture that contrasts with
significant shift from digital to 'IRL' culture, where people are today’s overly polished visuals. This experimental approach
increasingly rejecting hyper-modernity and embracing a sense also adds a “found on the internet” feel, which can help brands
of grounded tradition,” says London-based graphic designer appear more grounded and innovative.
and brand consultant Joe Diver.

grade solomon
#209038

nathan cyprys
#328763

rachel eblin
#333443

pascal schonlau
#307428

anne holiday
#38109
 noise is out artifacts are in
Photography In Design Trend Report

add a raw, intentionally reject hyper-modernity add a raw, intentionally reject hyper-modernity

imperfect aesthetic imperfect aesthetic

reject hyper-modernity add a raw, intentionally reject hyper-modernity add a raw, intentionally

imperfect aesthetic imperfect aesthetic

2025
Trend In Action

forget overly polished tap into early-internet forget overly polished tap into early-internet

visuals nostalgia visuals nostalgia

tap into early-internet forget overly polished tap into early-internet forget overly polished

nostalgia visuals nostalgia visuals

noise is out artifacts are in noise is out artifacts are in

artifacts are in noise is out artifacts are in noise is out

/024
JPEG Artifacting

add a “found on the internet feel” to your projects

with authentic imagery you can only license on stills. Amet144

 add a raw,
tap into the early-internet
nostalgia that instantly
JPEG artifacting embrace a sense of
grounded tradition
jPEG artifacting
intentionally imperfect
connects with audiences
aesthetic with artifacting
Photography In Design Trend Report

noise is out—artifacts are in go experimental

it doesn’t have to be perfect,
just authentic

reject hyper-modernity
offer an experience that
contrasts with today’s
overly polished visuals
2025

explore the trend

explore the trend

at stills.com
at stills.com
Trend In Action

break the rules

incorporate a raw,
intentionally
imperfect aesthetic

forget digital culture

add a unique visual texture
that sparks instant nostalgia
JPEG Artifacting

tap into iRL culture

channel a “found on
the internet” feel
 PHOTOGRAPHY

JPEG ARTIFACTING IN DESIGN

View the Board
TREND REPORT

Steven Clouse Sean Hagwell Johno Faherty

#197345 #307021 #272579

Zachary Hertzman
#224913 Ilka & Franz
Nathan Cyprys #307951
#330742

Alison Scarpulla
#222649
Margeaux Walter

#336723
Sarah McColgan

#222399

Levin Lee Rachel Eblin &Walsh

#291484 #333099 #235392
20 PHOTOGRAPHY
25
IN DESIGN

TREND REPORT

Collage
Cut it, layer it, mess it up—collage is back.

This trend is about breaking the rules and having fun with your By leaning into the imperfections and organized chaos of the
visuals. “In a time when AI and automation are at the top of my process, collage work can produce designs that feel organic
mind, I've been drawn to trends with a human element,” says and one-of-a-kind in a crowded visual landscape. Remember:
New York-based designer and illustrator Kirsten Holland. the more weird you get with it, the more you stand out.

francesco gioia
#337032

pascal schonlau
#306537

layla sailor
#261042

sandra ramos casasampera

#293053

zachariah hagy
#350560
 Imagery
Collage
Photography In Design Trend Report

MESS IT UP
MESS IT UP

MESS IT UP

MESS IT UP

CUT IT UP

CUT IT UP

CUT IT UP
CUT IT UP
2025

forget the limitations and lean into the create something organic to stand out the more weird you get with it,

organized chaos of your projects in a crowded visual landscape the more you stand out
Trend In Action

collage
collage

collage

collage
Collage

have fun and

break the rules
Photography In Design Trend Report

lean into the chaos

2025

have fun and break the rules

Trend In Action

s t
Collage

Stand Out in a Crowded Visual Landscape

Explore exclusive pre-cleared imagery for your projects at stills.com.

 PHOTOGRAPHY

COLLAGE IN DESIGN
View the Board
TREND REPORT

Jade Stephens
Alina Nechaeva #270936
#303771 Andrew McCarthy
#289416

Francesco Gioia
#213679

GS & Co
#191222
Christian Ekeigwe
#320133

Jordan Lancaster-Graham Hannah Dimmitt omar belattar

#267518 #333195 #328063

Ilka & Franz

#287908 Chad Peacock
Rowan Spray

#292911 #255676
 PHOTOGRAPHY

BONUS IN DESIGN
BONUS
TREND REPORT

DESIGN

TRENDS
Half-Finished Cut and Glue Serifs Are King
 PHOTOGRAPHY

Half-Finished IN DESIGN
Design trends
TREND REPORT

Half-Finished
PSA: perfectly polished is boring.

This year, designers and brands are embracing a half-finished,

hand-drawn look that feels raw and real. “We’ve started to see
the return to character and personality in identities as brands
reach into their past to pull out a handful of things that make Jesse Nyberg 02
them truly unique and feel ownable only to them,” says
Wieden + Kennedy creative director Nik Reed.

By blending illustrative, imperfect elements with minimal

layouts, these visuals create a sense of approachability and
craft. This stripped-back style challenges the hyper-polished
norms of traditional design, standing out for its organic feel.

Dani Hunt 03

Kuvvat Ashyrov 01
 PHOTOGRAPHY

Cut and Glue IN DESIGN

Design trends
TREND REPORT

Cut and Glue

Forget AI—the future of design is messy,
personal, and human.

In an era of automation, these analog processes help

creatives distinguish their work as human and authentic. “It’s
great to see gravitation toward more tactile projects,” says
Brighton-based graphic designer Dan George Hill. “It brings
such a unique contrast to our increasingly digital world.”

By physically assembling and reassembling printed materials, Victoria Stefania 02

designers introduce imperfections that make the work feel
personal and unique.

Max Hofert 01 Joe Diver 03

 PHOTOGRAPHY

Serifs Are King IN DESIGN

Design trends
TREND REPORT

Serifs Are King

Serifs are back on top, and honestly,
they deserve it.

Designers are turning to serifs to counteract the overly digital

aesthetic of modern typography. “It feels like a fusion of pre-
tech and modern design, digital and physical, leaving a more
lasting impression,” says UK-based graphic designer and &Walsh - Type of Feeling 02
content creator Robert McCombe. 

Serifs convey sophistication, heritage, and a sense of

timelessness that resonates across industries. Everyone is
trying to make their designs feel less like they were spat out of
a computer, and serifs are a go-to for adding some old-school
sophistication.

A great example of typography’s ability to spark something

can be seen with NYC-based agency &Walsh’s Type of
Feeling: an exciting foundry featuring a unique collection of
fonts, each built around its own sentiment and mood.

Jesse Nyberg 03

Jazlyn Fung 01
 PHOTOGRAPHY

20 IN DESIGN
25
TREND REPORT

Image is
Trends come and go, but providing a genuine connection is Stills exists to help you foster that connection. With curated, Discover the new standard in photo licensing with AI-powered
timeless. That connection is your ultimate competitive authentic, and pre-cleared imagery you won’t find anywhere search tools, advanced filters specifically for designers, and

Everything
advantage, and nailing that first impression is crucial. You else, Stills empowers you to maximize your budget and exclusive photo collections curated to connect with audiences.
cannot compromise on the critical piece that sparks that streamline your workflow with photos that capture and keep Remember: they’ll see it before they read it, so use images
connection: the imagery. your audience’s attention. they’ll never forget, only with Stills.