Top 5 Typography Trends for 2025

The Typeface of Tomorrow

Typography is the voice of design. It sets the tone, whispers the subtext, and shouts the message. As we move into 2025, the rules of typography are being rewritten. We are moving away from the safe, corporate "Global Sans" aesthetic that dominated the 2010s and entering an era of expression, motion, and nostalgia.

Here are the top 5 trends that every designer needs to have on their radar.

1. Kinetic Typography: Words in Motion

Static text is starting to feel... dead. With the rise of video-first platforms like TikTok and the increasing power of web browsers (WebGL, Rive), text is coming alive.

What it is: Typography that moves, stretches, twists, and reacts to user interaction. Why it's trending: It grabs attention in a distracted world. It turns reading into an experience. How to use it: Use it for hero sections on websites or for emphasis in social media videos. Don't use it for long-form body text—readability still comes first.

2. The "Text Behind Object" Effect

We are seeing a massive resurgence of the editorial, magazine-style aesthetic where text interacts physically with the photography.

What it is: Placing titles behind the subject of an image (a person, a building) but in front of the background. Why it's trending: It creates depth and makes digital designs feel tactile and layered. It solves the problem of "where do I put the text on this busy photo?" by integrating it into the photo. Tools to use: You don't need Photoshop anymore. Tools like TextBehindImage use AI to instantly segment the foreground and place your text perfectly.

3. Brutalism & "Anti-Design"

Design is getting weird again, and we love it. Inspired by the raw, unpolished look of the early internet and architectural brutalism, this trend rejects traditional rules of harmony.

What it is: System fonts (Courier, Times New Roman), high-contrast colors, overlapping elements, and "ugly" spacing. Why it's trending: It's a rebellion against the polished, homogeneous look of modern SaaS websites. It signals authenticity and "cool." Who it's for: Streetwear brands, art galleries, and tech startups that want to look disruptive.

4. Retro Serif & The 70s Revival

Nostalgia is a powerful drug. We are seeing a soft, warm pivot away from cold geometric sans-serifs back to the human touch of serifs.

What it is: Typefaces with soft curves, high contrast, and decorative swashes. Think Cooper Black or Bookman, but modernized. Why it's trending: In a digital, AI-driven world, people crave warmth and humanity. These fonts feel friendly, organic, and trustworthy. How to use it: Great for lifestyle brands, food and beverage packaging, and editorial headings.

5. Liquid, Chrome, and Distorted Type

This is the "Y2K" influence meeting modern 3D rendering.

What it is: Text that looks like it's made of liquid metal, glass, or slime. It's often illegible, used more as an image or texture than as text. Why it's trending: It looks futuristic and tech-forward. It appeals to Gen Z's chaotic, maximalist aesthetic. Where to see it: Album covers, rave posters, and NFT projects.

Conclusion: The pendulum Swings

Design trends always swing like a pendulum. We went from the chaotic 90s to the clean 2010s, and now we are swinging back to expressionism.

The key to using these trends is context. Don't use liquid chrome type for a law firm's website, and don't use a boring sans-serif for a music festival poster. Understand the rules so you know exactly how to break them.

Want to experiment with these trends? Start designing today.