Typography trends for 2025
In the last post, we talked about graphic design trends for 2025, and now we’re going to explore typography trends for next year more specifically. The Creative Bloom platform collected information from creative leaders in the industry, and we’ll bring you a summary of what they said:
The return of serifs and the resistance to sans serifs
The explosion of sans serif typography in recent years is undeniable, but every action provokes a reaction. Beth Vizard-Overbury, designer at Outlaw, predicts the return of serif fonts in 2025. According to her, recent trends in reflecting brand histories are contributing to their resurgence.
In partnership with Peroni Nastro Azzurro, Outlaw has created a custom typeface for The Capri Stile that combines classic serif elements with modern design, i.e. the elegance of the serif with the striking geometric structure of the sans serif. This hybrid typeface exists between the traditional and the contemporary.
Grant Mitchell, creative director of Design by Future, is also on the serif team. He hopes that designers will begin to oppose the homogenization of sans serifs, which have dominated the market in recent years. For him, this trend towards overly simplified typography has resulted in designs that, although clean, lack personality.
Mitchell hopes that designers will use the opportunity to take a more experimental approach to typography by exploring unique letterforms and pushing the boundaries of typographic design, resulting in a more authentic form of visual communication.
Rise of Variable Sources
James Clarke, design director at Bandstand, believes that the big story of recent years has been the rise of custom fonts. According to him, in 2025, big brands will continue to adopt typefaces with personality and encourage the use of variable fonts, which allow adjustments to be made to design details.
Because of this, he foresees not only the rise of variable fonts but the expansion of “those that allow you to adjust the details within the face itself; not just limited to width, weight or slant”. He brings up Marbla as an example of this, with its simple shape that, when adjusted, makes its glyphs become balloon animals.
Neo-retro and DIY approaches
Josh Matthews, from Outlaw, identifies a growing interest in nostalgic typefaces that reflect past decades, such as the textured effects of worn ink in 1950s advertising or the digital fonts of the 90s and early 2000s. He believes the trend will remain strong in 2025, with brands “seeking to balance vintage aesthetics with contemporary principles, using heritage to reinforce key attributes and create trust and emotional connection”.
In the same vein, Oscar Warr of Wolff Olins sees a trend towards more DIY approaches, where accessible fonts can be cut up and modified, adding attitude and participation to designs.
Prevalence of Imperfection and Low Resolution
Aaron Moss, from TBWA\London, notices a move towards typefaces with more imperfect features, whether with irregular shapes or a hand-drawn aesthetic, as these features help to add a touch of personality and individuality to the design.
Katarzyna Wozniak, from Wonderhood Studios, points to a continuation of the trend for low-resolution typography. Cristina Villellas, CEO of Arillatype, agrees: “Raw letters and organic shapes are emerging as a reaction to the highly polished, minimalist aesthetic that has dominated design for years. These fonts bring a bold sense of honesty, reflecting a growing need for authenticity in an increasingly digital world, standing out as a reminder of the human touch behind every interaction.”
Personalized typography is on the rise and the trend is set to continue. Brands are increasingly looking for a unique and authentic visual identity that reflects the brand’s history.
So 2025 is sure to be an exciting and diverse year for the world of typography. The challenge will be to find the right balance between innovation and legibility, as typography continues to play a crucial role in visual communication and brand identity.
