Creativity is a peculiar beast, often lurking in the most unexpected places, waiting for someone perceptive enough to notice. For Phil Imbriano, a senior designer at Topps, this moment of creative awakening arrived amidst the rumbles of the New York City subway. Skeptics might roll their eyes at the idea of a mundane routine commute breeding inspiration, but it was indeed the sight of a red-and-silver badge in the corner of his train car that set Imbriano’s design juices flowing. The ostensibly inconspicuous emblem, adorned with sleek, alluring lines and curves, stirred something within him. So much so that he felt compelled to snap a photo before the magic faded into the humdrum routine of the day. By the time he arrived at his desk at Topps, his mind was already abuzz with designs, and his hands frantically transformed those mental sketches onto paper.
Little did Imbriano know then that these early sketches, propelled by the daily chugging of a subway carriage, would form the foundation of the 2025 Topps Series 1 baseball cards, which have just been unveiled to the world.
“I draw inspiration from the everyday occurrences that often go unnoticed,” Imbriano explained, encapsulating the designer’s insight into the ordinary. “Be it a building, a sign, or an unremarkable piece of graffiti—anything might catch my eye. I take pictures of these elements and refer back to them later. You’d be surprised how something seemingly trivial can transform into a monumental idea.”
The 2025 card design heralds a fresh perspective with its two pronounced lines that elegantly sweep up the left side and extend across the top. Astute collectors might perceive a hint of nostalgia, reminiscent of the 1982 Topps set. Yet Imbriano’s initial muse was the woodgrain aesthetic that characterized the 1962 and 1987 sets. The ’82 resemblance emerged inadvertently—some might call it a “happy accident.” Imbriano muses that the fusion of retro style with a modern flair makes for a serendipitous blend of eras.
The road from idea inception to final product at Topps is no solo journey. In-house design competitions at the company pit creative brains against one another, with myriad concepts vying for the coveted official release. Imbriano’s transcendent subway-inspired concept emerged victoriously over 20 other contenders after an intense, iterative selection process. Such is the competitive spirit at the company that even non-winning elements often find life in future collections. This year, for example, sees a minor field graphic making its way onto the bottom right corner of the cards, marking player positions.
Bringing these designs to life is more intricate than most realize. Following digital design finalization, Topps proceeds with manufacturing tangible prototypes to assess the cards’ tactile and visual appeal. The tactile evaluation is crucial, as elucidated by Clay Luraschi, Topps’ senior vice president of product.
“When we’ve narrowed down to the top five designs, we print them out and simulate the joyous experience of opening a pack,” he revealed. “This is one of the most anticipated debates within our office, with everyone invested in preserving the integrity and charm Topps has cultivated for 74 years.” From its nascent stages at Sy Berger’s kitchen table to today’s high-tech production method, the legacy of Topps cards remains a firm yet delightful responsibility.
However, a new base design is merely the prologue. The 2025 edition bursts with beloved subsets, sure to delight both collecting veterans and rookies alike. There are ‘Future Stars,’ ‘All-Topps Team,’ and ‘Training Grounds’ highlighting the essence of Spring Training. Then there’s ‘Call to the Hall,’ celebrating Hall of Fame inductees, alongside unique collections such as the ‘City Connect Swatch Collection Autographs’ and ‘Heavy Lumber Autographs’.
Dodgers fans, in particular, are in for a treat. Variations of base cards capture joyful expressions, including Freddie Freeman’s signature “Freddie Dance,” which combines suave hip action with charming aplomb. The 35th-anniversary homage to the 1990 Topps set flaunts bold, colorful renditions that serve as a nod to the past.
At the core lies Imbriano’s vibrant new design, which he likens to creating a movie poster. “Each card should captivate on its own terms, presenting itself as a pocket-sized gem in a collector’s hand,” he affirmed. A mindset that embodies Topps’ ethos of artistry meets athleticism.
“Phil’s design is wonderfully representative of 2025,” Luraschi reflected. “Our aim is for collectors, 50 years from now, to instantly identify the era of these cards. This design absolutely encapsulates that vision.”
It’s irrefutable that inspiration, once it finds you, takes you on a fascinating journey—sometimes through the clattering tunnels of a subway ride to the hands of collectors who admire the final, tangible outcome of inspiration well-realized.