In the bustling metropolis of New York City, where the constant rhythm of life aligns with the clatter of subway trains, creative inspiration can often lurk in the most mundane of places. For Topps senior designer Phil Imbriano, his daily commute on the iconic NYC subway led to an unexpected creative breakthrough that influenced the design of the 2025 Topps Series 1 baseball cards. This quintessential kaleidoscope of urban life sparked new ideas that transcended a simple train ride into a fascinating creative journey.
As Imbriano settled into his routine journey, his gaze meandered across the subway car, eventually resting on an everyday marvel—a red-and-silver badge tucked in the corner of the car. The sleek interplay of lines and curves captured his imagination. In a split second, he savored the moment, captured a quick photo, and by the time he’d arrived at his desk within the Topps design studio, his mind was already a whirl of sketches and design explorations.
These sketches, born from that inspiring subway moment, ultimately crystallized into the base design for the 2025 Topps Series 1 baseball cards, officially released today and capturing the hearts of baseball enthusiasts and collectors alike.
Artistic inspiration runs on the unpredictable whimsy of the everyday world, as Imbriano readily admits. “I love drawing inspiration from everyday things,” he reflected. “It could be a building, a sign—just something that catches my eye. I take pictures and refer back to them later. You never know when something simple will turn into something big.” It is this gift of transforming the ordinary into the extraordinary that defines the magic behind his designs and the fresh aesthetic for the 2025 series.
The new card design harkens back to the past with a modern twist, incorporating two bold lines sweeping elegantly up the left side and across the top of each card. A design subtly reminiscent of the 1982 Topps set, these elements match the colors of individual teams, creating a bespoke experience for fans. Interestingly, this nostalgic nod was purely incidental, as Imbriano’s initial creative spark was more inclined toward the texture and feel of the 1962 and 1987 sets. “The ’82 connection was a happy accident,” he mused with a smile, “but I think it works because it blends vintage style with a modern twist.”
The journey from Imbriano’s initial idea to final execution was an arduous path paved with keen competition within the Topps design team. Imbriano’s concept, one emerging victoriously out of over 20 submissions after a multi-round review process, exemplifies how persistence and passion can propel brilliant ideas to the forefront. Intriguingly, echoes of past designs that didn’t make the cut have been intricately woven into future collections; for instance, in the current series, a small field graphic located in the bottom right corner denotes the player’s position.
From sketch to production, the commitment to excellence in design involves creating about ten versions before settling on the one that graces the final product. “There’s so much that goes into this process,” Imbriano revealed. “I don’t think most people realize how much work happens before they ever hold the card in their hands.”
Creating a physical presence for the digital designs is an essential part of the journey, a process emphasized by Clay Luraschi, Topps’ senior vice president of product. As he explains, “When we’re down to the final five designs, we actually print them out and simulate opening a pack. It’s a long, competitive process, and it’s one of the biggest debates we have in the office all year.” The significance of the 74th edition of Topps baseball cards is not lost on the team, paying homage to a legacy that began around a kitchen table with Sy Berger.
But it’s not just the base design that captivates collectors. The 2025 Series 1 heralds an array of captivating subsets, such as Future Stars, the All-Topps Team, and Training Grounds (highlighting Spring Training), to name but a few. Special acknowledgment goes to Call to the Hall, which celebrates the esteemed Hall of Fame inductees, and the City Connect Swatch Collection Autographs adds a new dimension of collectibility. Moreover, longstanding favorite Signature Tunes bridges the worlds of music and baseball, pairing players with the musicians behind their stirring walk-up songs.
An additional delight awaits Dodgers fans who can revel in special base-card variations depicting memorable celebratory occasions, including the iconic Freddie Dance—a signature move by player Freddie Freeman capturing his joyous, hip-swaying style upon reaching base.
This year’s collection further celebrates its own heritage with a 35th-anniversary tribute nodding towards the colorful and bold spirit of the 1990 Topps set. Central to it all remains the striking new design conceived by Imbriano, vivid as it is provocative.
“To me, designing cards is like creating a movie poster,” he claimed. “Each card should stand out on its own, almost like a mini poster that collectors can hold.” Capturing the hearts and imaginations of fans, each card strives for a beautiful balance between individuality and collective appeal.
Luraschi echoes similar sentiments about the design. “I think Phil’s design is incredible,” he asserts. “Fifty years from now, people should be able to look at a card and instantly recognize the year it’s from. This one absolutely nails that idea.” In a world driven by rapid change, the artistic dazzle of Topps baseball cards pivots on a timeless appeal that resonates with collectors past, present, and future.
