As we enter the new year, we’re going to talk about how the Blink Factor extends beyond the world of branding and design, creating a fun design trends guide. Here are our top picks for the biggest Blink Factor design moments of 2025.
Immersive Live Experience at Eurovision
Eurovision 2025’s stage show took inspiration from the Swiss Alps, using lasers, lights and a thrust stage to create an immersive three-dimensional experience. The experience was as much a light show as it was a music competition, thanks to seasoned designer Florian Wieder. Especially for the lucky live concert-goers, this visual experience was enthralling.
Battle of the Weird Names
Of all the things you never thought you’d see, President Trump’s AI-generated illustrations and videos probably top the list. California Governor Gavin Newsom’s responses are equally unforgettable. It’s not always a positive response that creates the Blink Factor. In this case, the visceral reactions range from disgust to hilarity to shock.
Kpop Demon Hunters
This animated film is on track to become the most-watched film ever on Netflix. Visual impact is a big part of its appeal. Deeply influenced by Korean cultural cues, both traditional and modern, Kpop Demon Hunters’ light/dark streetwear warrior aesthetic overtook Halloween and cosplay this year. It extended its influence to runways and beauty trends, creating one of the year’s biggest fashion moments. A great example of how rich contextual elements reimagined in new ways through modern pop culture can create the Blink Factor.
Image Source: Shutterstock
The Blink Factor in Ritual
The Catholic church understands the role of the Blink Factor in ritual. Conclave, the gathering of cardinals to elect a new pope, is a highly visual experience, with men in red robes sequestering themselves away in the ornate Sistine Chapel. Outside, Catholics gather to await the puff of white smoke that indicates a new pope has been chosen. These cues draw us into a world powered by tradition and simplicity that reaches far back in time.
Nostalgic Sport’s Style
The 2025 NBA All-Star uniform and court design tapped into lines, patterns and colours for a retro-inspired design. Cues specific to Oakland and San Francisco, including bold typography inspired by Oakland’s theatre district, create a sense of authenticity. Universally well-received as a classic design, the overall visual effect is quintessentially basketball.
Image Source: NBA News Official Website
The Blink Factor as an Activist Tactic
In protest of ICE action in their city, Portlanders showed up with some unusual protest strategies. The image that probably sticks in your mind is that of the dancing frog protesters. The juxtaposition of ICE agents facing off against what looked like a Halloween party was not accidental. Portland protestors intentionally used playful tactics to visually dispel misinformation that the city was turning into a “warzone.” A clever use of the Blink Factor in our opinion!
How Much Blink Factor Does a T-Shirt Have?
Jason Isaac’s character on White Lotus descends into crisis, and at a critical moment, the character wears a Duke T-shirt. The University was less than thrilled. A statement accused the show of inappropriate logo use, which may have drawn more attention to it had they said nothing. Understandably, brands don’t want their logo in a shot with a man who is thinking of killing himself and his entire family. But the University’s statement naturally resulted in some trolling. Isaacs insisted on wearing Duke T-shirts throughout the press tour and was gifted Duke merch by fans.
Gaga Casts a Spell
The video for Lady Gaga’s Abracadabra is a classic Gaga treat for the eyes. A theatrical spectacle of elaborate costumes, choreography and cinematography portrays the struggle between innocence and experience, with gothic and baroque inspiration driving the aesthetic. Pure Blink Factor. (Watch here)
The Murderous Labubu Stare
An image that will always bring us back to 2025 is the diabolical toy of the year: the Labubu. Why are children so drawn to the weird, toothy grins of these little monsters? Children’s lore has always been filled with monsters that are partly cute, partly terrifying. Think Where the Wild Things Are, clowns, the mutant toys from Toy Story, Furby’s, and The Jolly Chimp. The “ugly cute” factor is part of why Labubus are so popular, along with social media-driven storytelling, the blind box effect, personalized design, and the different characters.
Image Source: Pop Mart Official Website
Louvre Heist Style
Photos that circulated after the brazen daylight theft at the Louvre created a stir, not because of the crime, but because of a mysterious man decked out in full Sherlock Holmes style with a trenchcoat and fedora. For days, rumours circulated that he was an AI creation. In fact, a Colombian teenager, a fan of the detective genre and fashion, happened to be visiting the museum that day. Unfortunately, he wasn’t able to get in that day, but he did give us this fantastic, mysterious Blink Factor moment. Throughout the year, there are countless moments we were captivated by visuals. These are 10 that caught our attention, demonstrating how the Blink Factor has reach beyond the realm of business. What grabbed your attention this year?