The Verge’s 2025 Art Preview: What’s Next

Looking ahead to 2025, the creative vision at The Verge continues to push boundaries, blending investigative journalism with striking visual art to tackle complex themes. This year’s projects ranged from examining the cultural circus around cryptocurrency to unpacking the enduring myths of the Vietnam War. The team also addressed urgent issues like online privacy for transgender communities and global surveillance networks. Through innovative formats, from a physical kaleidoscope built for gift guides to live courtroom illustrations, the art department provided a unique lens on the stories that defined our times.

Wikipedia stands as one of the few broadly trusted institutions in a chaotic information landscape. Its stability comes from a dedicated global community of editors and structured processes for resolving disputes. The visual inspiration for our related project drew from classic encyclopedias, neoclassical architecture, and the eclectic, image-rich style of children’s reference books. This approach mirrors the delightful randomness of clicking through blue hyperlinks, which might unexpectedly lead you to a page about an obscure beetle named after a famous actor.

Marking the 50th anniversary of the fall of Saigon, a special feature employed a split-screen design to house multiple stories. This format visually represented the conflicting narratives and enduring myths surrounding the Vietnam War. A talented engineer brought the interactive hub to life, while the accompanying illustrations provided a powerful and poignant visual layer to the historical reflection.

In a package exploring the dangers and realities for transgender people online, the design aimed to visualize potential futures without leaning into simple optimism or despair. The goal was to acknowledge present fears while expressing a sense of otherworldly possibility. The visual identity relied on a mesmerizing looping animation and a custom-designed typeface, emphasizing that trans people will be central to shaping whatever comes next.

Capturing the chaotic scene at a high-profile pretrial hearing required an artist’s quick eye. With courtroom access uncertain, the illustrator turned the crowded courthouse hallways into a studio, sketching the defendant’s fervent fans and curious spectators. This live art provided an immediate, humanizing glimpse into the media frenzy surrounding the legal proceedings.

A series on the pervasive influence of internet personalities demanded a vibrant, attention-grabbing aesthetic. The design scheme across the feature was intentionally bold and poppy, with a hub that subtly echoed the endless scroll of a major video platform. Animated collages from various artists gave each individual story a distinct personality while maintaining a cohesive and contemporary visual theme.

For the annual gift guides, the team wanted to create a kaleidoscope effect entirely in-camera. This involved constructing a simple mirrored structure placed over a large television screen. Selected products were arranged inside, and as backgrounds were dynamically shifted, the resulting photographs captured a constantly shifting, prismatic view of the items, making for a uniquely engaging studio project.

A powerful comic strip delved into a little-known historical psyop: the U.S. military’s attempt to demoralize Viet Cong soldiers with audio recordings pretending to be Vietnamese ghosts. The artist’s emotive brushwork and masterful storytelling transformed this obscure piece of history into a compelling personal narrative, resulting in one of the most visually striking comics the publication has ever run.

A memorable illustration depicted three prominent figures as a three-headed dog guarding the world of cryptocurrency. This image perfectly captured the bizarre and often apocalyptic atmosphere surrounding a certain political milestone, blending critique with dark humor in a single, impactful frame.

An investigation into a former Iranian military officer targeted by state-sponsored kidnappers used a crime noir aesthetic. The illustrations, rendered in a palette of dark olive green and lavender with grainy textures, immersed readers in the shadowy, predatory world of international espionage and abduction.

A touching essay on fatherhood viewed through the lens of a popular video game series was accompanied by handmade collaged portraits. Organic shapes featuring art from the games framed the subjects’ faces, beautifully visualizing the blended reality between personal life and digital fantasy.

Documenting the human cost of tech manufacturing, a photo essay featured portraits of women who worked in Silicon Valley’s early fabrication factories. These individuals faced toxic conditions that impacted their health and families, and they are now leading the charge to hold corporations accountable, serving as a crucial warning for the future of the industry.

Describing the addictive, chaotic nature of online conspiracy theories can feel like spouting nonsense. The accompanying artwork succeeded by literally illustrating the concept: a kaleidoscopic vortex of racist memes that viewers find themselves unable to look away from, representing how one can simply fall into these digital rabbit holes.

Sometimes, the simplest feedback is the best. A particular headline paired with its image was deemed a perfect, resonant match, demonstrating the powerful synergy between written word and visual craft.

A standout image from the year perfectly encapsulated the awkward and surreal vibe of two tech-adjacent figures sharing a stage at a major conference. The artist captured what many described as a “nightmare” scenario with sharp wit and evocative style.

(Source: The Verge)