As 2025 approaches, lifestyle brands face an exciting yet complex design landscape. From tech-driven innovations to a renewed focus on humanity and craftsmanship, the year promises a blend of contrasts that will define branding and design. So let’s explore the key trends that every lifestyle brand should watch - and why they matter. 1. AI Becomes an Essential Tool - and an Ethical Question Artificial intelligence has become the linchpin of designer’s toolkits, weaving itself into the creative process like an invisible co-designer. Tools like generative fill in Photoshop and platforms such as ChatGPT are not just enhancing productivity but shaping creativity. AI is evolving from being a behind-the-scenes ideation tool to producing polished, final outputs. By 2025, we’ll see AI not only assisting designers but acting as a partner in delivering fully realised assets in real-time. But, as brands increasingly rely on AI to deliver efficiency, they must tread carefully to avoid losing the human touch that makes their design feel authentic. Designers will need to master AI while ensuring their work retains originality, empathy, and soul - elements that machines just can’t replicate... not yet anyway! INSIGHT Embrace AI as a tool, not a replacement. Use it to amplify creativity, not erase it. 2. Crafted to Last: The Timeless Allure of Handmade Design In response to rapid technological advancements, there’s a growing appetite for craftsmanship. Consumers are gravitating toward designs that feel personal, tactile, and human. This resurgence of craft aligns with sustainability and personalisation trends, where buyers value unique, handmade items over their mass-produced counterparts. For lifestyle brands, this translates to opportunities in packaging, product design, and storytelling. Emphasise the journey behind your products - showcasing artisan processes or locally sourced materials to foster deeper emotional connections with your audience. INSIGHT Incorporate handcrafted elements into your designs and tell the stories behind them. 3. The Rise of Inclusive Design Inclusivity is no longer a trend; it’s a necessity. Authentic representation of diverse communities, abilities, and cultures is expected. For lifestyle brands, this means ensuring that design and branding are accessible and resonate across a wide spectrum of audiences. Inclusivity also extends to generational diversity. While much of the focus has been on younger demographics, brands should not overlook older consumers. In the UK, individuals over 50 account for 40% of the population but control 80% of the wealth. Designing for this demographic could unlock some huge opportunities. INSIGHT Create designs that cater to all abilities and backgrounds, and don’t ignore the buying power of older generations. 4. Minimalist Maximalism: When Less Meets Luxe Minimalist maximalism might sound like a contradiction, but it’s set to dominate design in 2025. This hybrid aesthetic balances clean lines and open spaces with bold, vibrant elements. Think of the simplicity of minimalism infused with expressive typography, striking colors, and unexpected textures. Lifestyle brands can leverage this trend to create visually arresting designs that capture attention while maintaining clarity and focus. INSIGHT Experiment with bold elements within clean layouts to achieve a balanced yet dynamic look. 5. Sustainability Is the New Standard Sustainability has evolved from a buzzword to a baseline expectation. Consumers are demanding more than greenwashing - they want tangible commitments to environmental stewardship. From minimalist packaging to carbon-neutral operations, brands that can prove their eco-credentials will stand out. For designers, this means prioritising materials and processes that are sustainable, ethical, and transparent. Visual language will echo these values with earthy tones, natural textures, and designs that exude calmness and care for the planet. INSIGHT Adopt sustainability as a core principle and communicate it through your design choices. 6. Health and Wellness Take Centre Stage The wellness industry’s growth is influencing design trends. As health becomes synonymous with luxury, brands are turning to data visualisation, wearable tech, and immersive environments to stand out. From premium fitness studios to personalised nutrition, design is playing a key role in making health data more accessible and engaging. For lifestyle brands, integrating elements of wellness into branding - whether through calming design, smart packaging, or informative visuals can foster trust and loyalty. INSIGHT Infuse health-conscious elements into your designs to align with the wellness movement. 7. Where Clicks Meet Bricks: The Fusion of Physical and Digital The push and pull between digital innovation and physical experiences will intensify in 2025. While AI dominates the virtual space, there’s a counter-movement towards in-person, tangible interactions. Retailers are blending e-commerce with immersive in-store experiences, creating hybrid environments that connect digital convenience with human touch. For lifestyle brands, the challenge is to design experiences that bridge these worlds seamlessly. QR codes that unlock exclusive content, AR-enhanced packaging, and events that combine online and offline elements will be key strategies. INSIGHT Explore ways to create meaningful connections across both physical and digital platforms. The Future Is Now: Lifestyle Design Trends Redefining 2025 2025 is poised to be a transformative year for design. Lifestyle brands that embrace these trends while staying true to their identity will thrive. The key is to strike a balance - leveraging technology without losing humanity, being bold yet sustainable, and fostering inclusivity while targeting key audiences. As the lines between creativity and technology blur, one thing remains clear: authentic, thoughtful design will always be in style. Discover more of my design journey and how creativity can transform a brand at playrich.co.uk .

There’s something uniquely special about the high street at Christmas - the glow of twinkling lights, the bustle of last-minute shoppers, and the promise of festive treats. For seven years, I had the privilege of working with Pret A Manger to design their Christmas campaigns, bringing a little extra joy to one of the most eagerly awaited times of the year. Two standout years, 2020 and 2021, remain close to my heart as moments when design truly transformed the holiday experience. A Fresh Perspective for 2020 In 2020, the world was still finding its feet amidst uncertainty, and for Pret, it was a year of reinvention. Earlier in the year, the launch of Pret’s coffee subscription had introduced a bold new colour palette and editorial style to the brand. The challenge was to extend this fresh identity into the festive season while keeping true to Pret’s charm. At the heart of the 2020 design was a snowflake - not just any snowflake, but one inspired by Pret’s iconic star. We began with a symmetrical snowflake, expanding it into a repeating pattern that played with negative space and abstract forms. The result was a design that felt familiar yet entirely unexpected. The colour palette broke away from traditional Christmas tones, embracing coral reds, pastel blues, and soft oranges - a Scandinavian-inspired twist that balanced warmth with sophistication. These patterns adorned everything from coffee cups to sandwich packaging, with a strategic simplicity to help customers spot festive favourites at a glance. The big, bold snowflakes weren’t just designs; they were invitations to hold, photograph, and share - a modern take on festive cheer that lived as much on Instagram as it did in-store. Lighting Up 2021 If 2020 was about creating warmth, 2021 was about sparking joy. For this campaign, the inspiration came from fairy lights. There’s something inherently magical about those glowing strands, and we wanted to capture that sense of wonder in a way that felt uniquely Pret. The lights were illustrated with a handcrafted feel, echoing Pret’s artisanal roots. Each bulb carried a tiny Pret star, a detail that tied the design back to the brand’s DNA. From coffee cups to sandwich boxes, the designs were brought to life with deep, bold colours contrasted by pastel tones, creating an illuminated effect that brightened shelves and lifted spirits. But it wasn’t just about the aesthetics - it was about creating moments of delight. Hidden details, like a smiling Melvin the Gingerbread Man tucked inside sandwich boxes or subtle plug points connecting the lights, added an element of surprise. These small touches invited customers to pause, smile, and share a little festive joy. Designing for Delight Both campaigns were about more than just looking good; they were about creating connections. Whether it was a snowflake pattern sparking a makeup tutorial on TikTok or fairy lights shining a spotlight on Pret’s charitable foundation, these designs aimed to bring meaning to the season. They were tactile, shareable, and distinctly Pret. The Legacy of Festive Design Reflecting on these two years, I’m reminded of the power of design to tell a story. Christmas on the high street is more than just a retail moment; it’s an opportunity to create experiences that stay with people long after the last Pret mince pie has been eaten. The designs from 2020 and 2021 weren’t just about festive flair - they were about pushing boundaries, finding beauty in the unexpected, and, above all, spreading a little joy. As these campaigns came to life in shops, on social media, and even in customers’ homes, they showed how thoughtful design can make Christmas just a little brighter. To see more of these projects, visit my project page  or watch the behind-the-scenes videos on YouTube . Discover more of my design journey and how creativity can transform a brand at playrich.co.uk .