2025 Design Predictions: Trust, Connections, and Digital Realities

In 2025, design isn't just about aesthetics – it’s about creating trust, fostering meaningful connections, and blending physical and digital realities. From unified customer journeys to intentional transparency, these trends highlight a transformative shift toward experiences that truly resonate. Join us in exploring the future of experience design and its enduring impact.

An AI bad batch

The first batch of harmful and ineffective AI applications will, sadly, come home to roost. Casualties and complex legal cases in high stakes environments like healthcare, education, and law enforcement will unearth catastrophic results beyond the already marginalised and underserved communities who have borne the brunt of early experiments.

Traditional trust evaporates

We will see an erosion of collective trust in traditionally trusted institutions – the media, state governments, and international rights. There is a shift in social relations, with substantial systemic changes touching everything from how we engage with technology in our day-to-day lives to a movement to establish new media outlets. We’ll see a surge in direct action against powerful institutions and against classic geopolitical paradigms and international relations.

Less influence, more expertise

Communications and marketing will continue to evolve away from the excessive, consumer-driven, professional influencers who are paid to peddle whichever products and services are set to benefit.

A change in how we consume and who we trust will push users further towards ‘value-driven tastemakers’, who specialise in one particular area with associated credentials and expertise. De-influencing will continue to flourish for the same reasons.

Growth is not the be-all and end-all

Degrowth will expand further into the mainstream and trigger cultural discourse shifts in fashion, music, and art. The degrowth movement, which still sits largely in sustainability and activist circles, will be a fully-fleshed-out cultural movement. Commercial entities will scramble to find hidden ways to sell within the paradigm and unfortunately, some may succeed.

Healthcare research for 51% of the populace

Investments will finally be allocated towards women’s health as VCs and business research continue to demonstrate the huge benefits for society as a whole. The specific commercial incentives for those who invest in women’s healthcare will become clearer.