In the realm of creative inspiration, the blaring chaos of a daily subway commute seems an unlikely muse. Yet, for Topps’ senior designer Phil Imbriano, the clattering of tracks and the visual clutter of the New York City transit system provided the perfect setting for a eureka moment in 2024. With the kind of subtlety that only urban landscapes can offer, a red-and-silver badge nestled in a train car’s corner caught his eye. The badge’s sleek, curvaceous lines sparked an idea—a fleeting vision that Imbriano captured with a quick click of his smartphone. By the time he reached his design desk at Topps, his mind was already ablaze with fresh possibilities.
Fast forward to the present, and that serendipitous subway ride has metamorphosed into the eye-catching design that graces the 2025 Topps Series 1 Baseball Cards, which are making their grand debut today. This isn’t just any design; it’s a confluence of Imbriano’s resourcefulness and a dash of nostalgia—a blend that takes cues from bygone eras of baseball cards while forging a distinctive identity for the new series.
“I love drawing inspiration from everyday things,” Phil Imbriano admitted, a hint of artistic gratitude in his voice. “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.”
The innovative 2025 design features two bold lines that sweep from the left side of the card, cresting at the top like a surfer riding a pigment-hued wave. Some ardent collectors might experience a twinge of déjà vu—these lines subtly tip their cap to the celebrated 1982 Topps set. Yet this connection to the past wasn’t part of some master stroke of design strategy. It was serendipity—Imbriano originally sought inspiration from the woodgrain aesthetic of the 1962 and 1987 sets. “The ’82 connection was a happy accident,” he mused. “But I think it works because it blends vintage style with a modern twist.”
In a design ecosystem as competitive as Topps, this one prevailed among more than 20 concepts birthed by gifted artists during an exhaustive, months-long review. In fact, Imbriano’s design was victorious only after rigorously inching past other brilliant contenders in internal selection skirmishes. Several iterations, born of deep reflection and fueled by countless cups of coffee, emerged from that fateful subway snap before the final design could claim its crown.
“You might be surprised by how much goes into this process,” Imbriano confessed. “Most folks who hold the cards don’t realize the work that precedes their enjoyment.”
The meticulous journey from digital sketches to tangible sports collectibles is almost ritualistic. Topps ensures that every final design feels right by creating physical prototypes, allowing the team to truly grasp how the cards resonate in real-time. Clay Luraschi, Topps’ Senior Vice President of Product, aptly describes this tactile phase. “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 stakes are towering for Topps, a brand with a celebrated history. Seventy-four years of designing cards demand a blend of respect for the legacy and an eye towards the future, all while ensuring that the process is both a grave matter and an exhilarating ride.
Beyond the base set, collectors can feast their eyes on the series’ diverse offerings. The 2025 edition boasts well-loved subsets like Future Stars and All-Topps Team, while newer concepts like Training Grounds and Call to the Hall add fresh layers. Not to forget the charming City Connect Swatch Collection Autographs and the spirited Heavy Lumber Autographs. Signature Tunes, an enduring fan-favorite, mashes up players’ walk-up songs with the artists behind them, and First Pitch shines the spotlight on celebrities who’ve graced the mound for ceremonial initiatives.
In a delightful twist, Dodgers enthusiasts can revel in special base-card variations immortalizing jubilant scenes. Among the highlights is Freddie Freeman’s endearing “Freddie Dance,” a whimsical move that celebrates his arrival at first base.
This year’s homage to iconic cards doesn’t stop at the core design. The 35th-anniversary tribute gives a nod to the 1990 Topps set, a collection fondly remembered for its audacious, lively designs. However, the heart of the 2025 collection remains steadfastly tethered to Imbriano’s inspired base design. “I approach designing cards like I would a movie poster,” he reflected. “Each card should stand out on its own, almost like a mini poster in a collector’s hands.”
Such philosophy isn’t merely a lofty ambition. It’s a guiding principle that pervades Topps’ entire design strategy. And as Luraschi succinctly put it, “I think Phil’s design is incredible. 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.”
