Inspiration, like lightning in a bottle, often arrives when least expected, shaping creativity in the most surprising moments. For Phil Imbriano, a senior designer at Topps, that precise flash of brilliance struck during an ordinary subway ride in New York City. As part of his daily commute, Imbriano’s attention was captivated by a seemingly mundane red-and-silver badge in a subway car corner. With its streamlined curves and sleek lines, it silently spoke to his designer’s intuition. Not one to let creativity slip away, Imbriano snapped a quick picture. By the time he crossed the threshold of his workspace at Topps’ headquarters, inspiration was already fueling his pencil towards new sketches.
These sketches, born from a chance moment on public transit, evolved into the exquisite base design for the 2025 Topps Series 1 baseball cards, which make their grand debut today. A design that started with the simplicity of a transit system icon has now transformed into a full-blown piece of collectible artistry.
“I love drawing inspiration from everyday things,” Imbriano noted with visible passion. “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.”
In the 2025 edition, the card design features two sweeping lines that curve dominantly along the left and top of the card. This visual motif may awaken nostalgia in collectors familiar with the 1982 Topps set—it wasn’t intentional, but a serendipitous callback to a treasured design. Initially, Imbriano sought inspiration from the vintage woodgrain aesthetic of the 1962 and 1987 sets. “The ’82 connection was a happy accident,” he shared. “But I think it works because it blends vintage style with a modern twist.”
Imbriano’s innovative design rose to prominence through an intense and competitive in-house selection process. Each year, Topps’ cadre of talented designers submit and refine their visionary concepts, only to see all but one survive a gauntlet of rigorous review sessions. Imbriano’s concept emerged victorious, besting 20 other submissions. In this creative pressure cooker, even elements from designs that don’t make the final cut have a life of their own, sparking ideas in future sets. This year’s cards flaunt a small field graphic sitting proudly in the bottom right corner, mapping out the player’s exact position on the field.
From an inspired photo on a train to the sharp design printed on collectible cards, Imbriano crafted approximately ten versions before settling on the final iteration that would mesmerize collectors.
“There’s so much that goes into this process,” he emphasized. “I don’t think most people realize how much work happens before they ever hold the card in their hands.”
Crafting these cards into tangible reality requires an intricate interplay between digital finesse and physical craftsmanship. With digital designs ready, Topps pioneers physical prototypes to critique everything from look to tactile feel. “When we’re down to the final five designs, we actually print them out and simulate opening a pack,” explained Clay Luraschi, Topps’ senior vice president of product. “It’s a long, competitive process, and it’s one of the biggest debates we have in the office all year.”
The magnitude of the endeavor isn’t lost on the team, as Topps embraces its enduring legacy. This marks the 74th edition of Topps baseball cards—a continuity of passion from the days Sy Berger concocted designs at his kitchen table to today’s high-tech, sophisticated methodologies. Luraschi expressed the grave yet joyous seriousness of this task: “This is a big deal—but also a lot of fun.”
As ever, the base set is only the introduction, a prologue to an expansive array of features that the 2025 series promises. Collectors can revel in several popular subsets:
– Future Stars ignites hopes in rising talent.
– All-Topps Team celebrates the crème de la crème of league performance.
– Training Grounds illuminates spring training highlights.
– Call to the Hall salutes Hall of Fame inductees.
– City Connect Swatch Collection Autographs and Heavy Lumber Autographs offer unique memorabilia.
Additionally, fan-favorite features return with Signature Tunes, deftly pairing players with the artists of their walk-up songs. First Pitch grants cameo glory to celebrities who graced the ceremonial first pitches last season. Dodgers aficionados will find delight in special base-card variations showcasing jubilant moments like Freddie Freeman’s signature “Freddie Dance.”
In a reflective nod to past designs, this year marks the 35th anniversary tribute to the 1990 Topps set, revered for its bold, vivid designs. However, at the very heart of the collection lies Imbriano’s striking new base design—a blend of tradition and innovation.
“I approach designing cards like I would a movie poster,” Imbriano divulged. “Each card should stand out on its own, almost like a mini poster in a collector’s hands.”
It’s that collector’s mindset, driving the design philosophy that resonates through every card’s fiber. “Phil’s design is incredible,” Luraschi proclaimed. “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.” With a nod to the past and an eye for the future, the 2025 Topps series holds the promise of a legacy that will inspire generations to come, all thanks to a serendipitous subway ride.
