Art is an ever evolving medium. Every year brings new, exciting trends that are shaped by the global art market, cultures, and technological advancements. And, every year, artists and consumers wonder what type of art sells best this year. In this post, we’ll be looking into the 10 TOP digital art trends 2025. So, without further ado, let yourself get inspired and see what art is trending in 2025!
We all know that art is ever evolving. It’s a reflection of human societies and experiences, and every era has its particular art movements.
However, there are not only macro trends in art that represent the long-term global movements. Every year, we can also see micro trends emerge from those macro trends. These are smaller-scale trends that gain popularity over a short period of time.
That being said, every year comes with its top digital art trends that inspire artists to explore new things and add a slightly different twist to their creations. If you’ve read my post about the Hottest Art Market Trends In 2024, you know what art was trending last year.
To let you know what's going on this year, I've looked into the TOP digital art trends in 2025 and share with you what type of sells best in the coming months.
Here’s the art that is trending in 2025:
What art is trending in 2025?
Looking ahead to 2025, the digital art world is preparing to embrace a range of new trends that reflect ongoing technological progress, cultural shifts, and a stronger focus on social responsibility. We’ll be witnessing a fusion of cutting-edge technology and nostalgic influences that are to reshape the digital design landscape.
Does that mean you should change your style and start creating the type of art that sells best in 2025?
No, absolutely not. Your art style is unique to you and you should never try to change it in order to cater to the latest trends—and probably make a few more sales in the short term. Because distorting your artistic self in the attempt of trying to please people’s perceived taste won’t benefit you in the long run.
You will neither be a happy artist creating the art you love, nor will you be a successful artist that collectors recognize for their distinctive style and are willing to pay the price for having a unique piece of them in their homes.
Related: How To Sell Art Prints From Home In 4 Easy Steps
So, stay true to yourself and use the 2025 art trends as inspiration to experiment and and explore new styles. See what resonates with your way of creating art and the message you want to convey.
With that being out of the way, here come the most anticipated digital art trends that are expected to shape the creative landscape in 2025!
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10 Top Digital Art Trends in 2025
1. Emotional narrative art
Art has an unparalleled power to tell stories, evoke emotions, and connect us to people around the world. When viewing an artwork, it’s not just about shapes and colors—it’s about experiencing a moment, a memory, or a story we can relate to.
This is exactly what distinguishes real, human art from artificially generated images.
After the initial hype around AI tools in the past two years, more and more people come to realize that AI art is not real art, as it lacks the emotional depth and nuances of human-created art.
The works in my “Holy Sinners” series tell a story of innocence and guilt, virtue and vice. The emotionally laden pieces are handmade, driven by the artist’s own experiences and personal connection to the imagery. You can learn more about the story behind the two works displayed above in the descriptions of “Scarlet Bunny” and “Church Mouse.”
A key reason emotional narrative art is becoming an art trend in 2025 is the emotional connection it fosters. Human artists inject their personal experiences, emotions, and intentions into their work, allowing their artwork to resonate on a deeper level.
Many narrative artworks are deeply personal, exploring universal themes, such as love, loss, joy, and struggle. These works connect with a wide audience by addressing their own feelings and experiences that are shared across cultures.
The imperfections and subtleties in human-made art are becoming an asset, contributing to its authenticity and emotional impact. That being said, you shouldn’t be afraid to show the perceived ‘imperfections’ of your works; your art doesn’t have to be perfect. It only needs to be ‘human’.
» Do you want to create emotional art yourself? Your app of choice largely depends on the type of art you want to create. Two all-time favorites are still Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator. More affordable alternatives are Affinity Photo and Affinity Designer.
While one could easily mistake “ST∆RRY NIGHT” for an AI-generated image, it’s actually a handmade artwork based on a photograph of the artist’s own lips. With lots of creative skill and attention to detail, the original raw photo was digitally edited to create the final artwork.
To stand out against the crowd of AI-generated images on the internet, don’t be afraid to show your editing skills as a digital artist, for example by displaying work in progress shots of your creative process. Art collectors will appreciate such insights as evidence of the piece’s originality and authenticity, reassuring them that they are investing in a unique creation, unlike mass-produced AI art.
Are you worried about your creative future with all the machine-made imagery swallowing up the market?
2. Eco-themed art
The world increasingly focuses on ecological sustainability, and digital artists have been incorporating this trend in their work. With growing global awareness of climate change and environmental concerns, eco-themed art is set to play an even larger role in 2025.
An eco-themed 3D illustration: “Renewal & Regrowth” by Zulfa Mahendra.
While traditional artists may focus on using eco-friendly materials, ethical sourcing, and processes that minimize their environmental footprint, digital artists may incorporate more organic shapes, natural textures, and earthy color palettes in their digital creations.
As nature-inspired patterns continue to gain popularity, we will also see that this type of art sells best in 2025. Wall art displaying eco-conscious themes tends to evoke a calm, soothing atmosphere that promotes well-being and aligns with environmental values.
That being said, this digital art trend is not just about visual appeal; it’s about creating spaces that help us retract from the stresses of daily life and feel connected to nature.
An eco-themed digital illustration: “Olfaplay” by Maite Franchi.
» The go-to apps to create eco-themed art like in the displayed images are Adobe Illustrator and Adobe Photoshop. Those are the market leaders. Other options include DrawKit and Affinity Designer.
3. Healing art
We all know that art—whether we only view it or create it ourselves—has a positive effect on our mental health. In 2025, healing art is expected to play an even more crucial role.
In recent years, the conversation around mental health has gained significant traction—due to several reasons, with the pandemic probably being one of the main causes.
Artists have been increasingly creating works that explore themes of well-being, positive habits, and inner peace, using art as a means of reflection, healing, and connection. This trend recognizes the therapeutic power of art and its potential to build community, resilience, and understanding.
“Amphiprion Ocellaris” by Angie Mathot is—as the artist says—about simplification and stylization using vectors, having fun, and bringing a new approach to her portraits and artworks alike. And most importantly, evolving as an artist. This is all it takes to make art a healing experience.
In 2025, we can expect to see more exhibitions focused on issues like anxiety, depression, and trauma, offering immersive experiences to promote mindfulness and well-being.
Art therapy programs will continue to grow, enabling individuals to process emotions through creative self-expression and encouraging them to engage with art as a means of self-care and introspection.
» The You can create healing art with any app and technique that feels good to you. The more you actually create yourself, the better. That’s why painting software like Corel Painter, Clip Studio Paint or Procreate for the iPad might be your preferred choices. However, since Photoshop is the most versatile all-round app and if you already have it, you can also create digital paintings with Photoshop!
4. Inclusive design
Another art direction that will be trending in 2025 is inclusive design. Artists are placing greater emphasis on representing diversity in their imagery, as we are all becoming more aware of the varied needs of people around us.
Art is a reflection of society, and inclusive design gives a voice to a broader range of individual identities and circumstances. By considering different cultural, social, and personal perspectives, artists can create work that resonates with a more diverse audience, while also challenging dominant narratives.
Inclusive digital design: “Character Collage” by Courtney Askew.
Inclusive design can help ensure that marginalized groups, such as people with disabilities, people of color, LGBTQ+ individuals, and others, are not excluded from the art world.
Digital art, in particular, is likely to become more inclusive and engaging by using interactive installations, incorporating sound, movement, and virtual reality tools.
Inclusive digital art where no one is excluded: “World for Everyone: Dancers” by tubik.arts from Ukraine.
» The go-to apps to create eco-themed art like in the displayed images are Adobe Illustrator and Adobe Photoshop. Those are the market leaders. Other options include DrawKit and Affinity Designer.
5. Minimalist typography
Yes, typography is also a type of digital art, and minimalist typography continues to be trending in 2025. Whether it’s serif or non-serif typography, beautiful minimalistic fonts are gaining traction within current design trends.
At its core, minimalism focuses on the essentials, embracing the philosophy of “less is more” with an emphasis on simplicity.
While maximalist visuals are on the rise, typography is trending in the opposite direction, favoring minimalist, clean, and sometimes even overly simplified typefaces.
“Instagram Quote Templates” with minimalist typography by Steisi Vogli.
Did you think that fonts have no place in the sphere of digital art? Way off the mark! Incorporating refined fonts into your projects can give a special touch to your digital creations.
Artists use typography not only to communicate through words but also to craft shapes, patterns, and visual impact. For example, you can enhance the depth of an artwork by adding a meaningful quote to it. This can be an original quote of yours or an inspirational quote by one of the famous artists.
Minimalist typography but maximum effect: these 365 printable with inspirational artist quotes keep your creative juices flowing all year long!
To create sophisticated typographic designs, artists use tools like Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, or Pixlr that allow for intricate compositions. It’s all about selecting the right fonts, adjusting the spacing between letters, words, and lines, and organizing text in ways that convey both meaning and aesthetic appeal.
If you’d like to create your own typographic designs and sell them, it’s important to use fonts that are licensed for commercial use. Apart from Canva Pro, great places to get original fonts for commercial use are Creative Market and Creative Fabrica.
6. Maximalism
After years of minimalism, maximalism is making a strong comeback in 2025. Unlike minimalism, which emphasizes simplicity and purity, maximalism embraces excess and disregards traditional design boundaries.
Maximalism digital art: “Shoe Study Part 1” by Lively Scout.
In maximalism, everything seems to be shouting “bigger is better.” Maximalist artworks feature clashing colors, bold geometric forms—and sometimes distinctive fonts.
Using complex layering, digital art maximalists create polarizing works that visually stimulate the viewers—who either love it or hate it!
7. Retro futurism
Retro futurism is a new digital art trend of 2025 that merges nostalgia with imagination. The retro style features designs with a rugged, vintage aesthetic, while futurism brings in elements of sci-fi, cyberpunk, and futuristic technology.
“Retro-Futurism” by dongkyu lim is not only a digital artwork but also an animated video.
More precisely, retro futurism imagines how people in previous eras envisioned the future, often creating a nostalgic yet fantastical take on technology, space exploration, and societal progress.
Retro futurism art often uses vivid colors like electric blues, neon greens, bold pinks, yellows, and reds. Combined with metallic tones like silver, chrome, gold, and steel, retro-futurist artworks evoke the typical high-tech, space-age feel of futuristic machinery, robots, and other gadgets.
“Unexpected Time – Fear of Cyberpunk 002” by Niccolò Miranda is an exploration of a retro-futurism game boy concept on a glow wave background inspired by ‘The Great Wave’ of Hokusai.
For amazing 3D artwork AutoDesk Maya and ZBrush are the best. A free alternative is Blender.
8. Modern geometric patterns
Geometric design remains a cornerstone in the digital art trends of 2025. Known for their clean lines and well-defined shapes, abstract and geometric patterns are making a strong comeback this year.
These patterns draw inspiration from the bold, experimental art movements of the 20th century, such as cubism and abstract expressionism, but are reinterpreted for the modern digital era.
“Geometric Cities” is a digital illustration by Nick Slater featuring modern geometric patterns.
This trend is marked by the use of striking shapes, asymmetry, and layered textures that create depth and visual interest. Its timeless, orderly aesthetic is not only visually appealing but also widely respected and recognized across the art world.
Modern geometric patterns are especially effective to make a bold impact and can also evoke a sense of mystery, encouraging users to delve deeper into the work of art.
9. Neo Brutalism
Neo brutalism is a popular digital art trend in 2025, which is characterized by bold contrasts, rough design elements, asymmetry, attention-grabbing typography, and vibrant colors.
This trend has its roots in the brutalist design movement of the 1950s and 1960s. Much like the neo-brutalist architectural style, this trend emphasizes geometric shapes and functionality over aesthetics.
A digital artwork in the neo brutalism style: “s✨ck my flower” by OVCHARKA INDUSTRIES.
Brutalism was defined by its focus on practicality and raw, unrefined forms, and neo brutalism embraces similar principles of a “raw” or “unfinished” appearance. This may mean rough textures, visible digital glitches, and an overall sense of crudeness and imperfection.
In neo brutalism, typography often becomes a central element of the overall design. While font choices are already key to the minimalist typography trend, neo brutalism takes lettering to a more experimental and expressive level.
10. 3D Design & Animation
Far from being a passing trend, 3D design and animation have become essential elements of modern digital art. By 2025, we can expect 3D visuals and animation to become even more immersive and refined.
An animated 3D “Postcard from Tokyo Part I” by Peter Tarka.
Thanks to improvements in both software and hardware, designers will be able to create hyper-realistic 3D visuals and animations that truly captivate the viewers.
Tools like Blender, Cinema 4D, and Autodesk Maya have become more accessible, feature-rich, and user-friendly. Artists now have access to advanced features, such as real-time rendering, photorealistic simulations, and AI-assisted modeling that were only accessible to professional studios in the past.
Whether it’s for entertainment, digital art or virtual environments, 3D offers endless possibilities and we are going to see more of it in 2025 and the years ahead.
Related: Step-By-Step Digital Art For Beginners: How To Get Started [2025]
How can you sell your art in 2025?
Many online platforms allow artists to sell both physical and digital versions of their artwork. One of the most popular marketplaces is definitely Etsy. Artists can also sell digital products on platforms like Sellfy, Payhip, and SendOwl – some of which even offer free plans!!
What’s more, website builders make it easier than ever to create personal websites with integrated online shops, no coding skills required.
Two of the top choices for artists are Squarespace and Pixpa. Why? Because they offer a great choice of beautifully designed templates for visual creatives of all types and make it super-easy for beginners to create a website with shop – no prior experience needed!
WordPress, on the other hand, provides more flexibility and scalability than most website builders, though it does require more time to learn. If you’re willing to put in the effort, WordPress lets you create highly customizable websites.
I built this website on WordPress, using the OceanWP theme and the Elementor page builder, along with the Essential Addons for Elementor and Ultimate Addons for Elementor. Those page builder plugins make it easier to design your website, because they come with visual drag-and-drop editors.
WordPress does take some time getting used, but once you got the hang of it, the possibilities are endless! You can open your own WooCommerce shop, create an online portfolio, start a blog, offer courses, and much more. If you are interested, I tell you everything I did to make this website step-by-step here.
The best apps to create digital art in a nutshell:
Adobe Photoshop
The go-to app for all digital creators. Photoshop is a great choice for professional artists, budding designers, and novice hobbyists alike. Get Adobe Photoshop on desktop and iPad with a free 7-day trial.
Adobe Photoshop Elements
Adobe Illustrator
Affinity Photo
Affinity Photo is a powerful, low-cost image editor and a serious competitor to Photoshop. You can get Affinity Photo for a one-time payment of US$49.99. Before making your purchase, you can try the software free for 30 days.
Affinity Designer
Affinity Designer is an award-winning vector graphics software for creating concept art, logos, icons, UI designs, and other illustrations. At US$ 54.99, it is an affordable alternative to Adobe Illustrator that also comes with a free 30-day trial.
Corel Painter
Autodesk Maya
Autodesk Maya is professional 3D software for creating realistic characters and physically accurate visual effects. Autodesk Maya is used by companies like Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures Inc. for creating their animation films.
ZBrush
Cinema 4D
Cinema 4D is sophisticated software for 3D computer animation, modeling, simulation, and rendering. It's fast and flexible, but also intuitive and is easy to learn, and therefore a great option for beginners, too.
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This was my roundup of the art trends in the coming year. What are your favorite digital art trends in 2025? Let me know in the comments below. I’d love to hear from you! Make sure to sign up for my email list so you don’t miss out on new blog posts and other cool stuff. ♥
(All images displayed in this post are copyright to their respective owners and solely used for educational purposes.)
This really answered my question, thank you!
Great to hear that the post was helpful! (: