Inspiration is often thought of as the elusive muse that strikes artists at the most unpredictable times. For Phil Imbriano, the senior designer at Topps, it was the rhythmic clatter of a New York City subway train that whispered creativity into his ear. His daily commute—a mundane necessity shared by countless New Yorkers—was transformed into a canvas of ideas the moment his gaze settled on an innocuous red-and-silver badge adorning the corner of a train car.
Buried within those sleek lines and curves, Imbriano found something exceptionally captivating. With the intuitive action of a visionary, he captured the moment forever with a quick snapshot, not knowing it would soon evolve into something far more significant. By the time he reached his desk, those random subway musings had begun to crystallize into the foundational sketches that would eventually grace the 2025 Topps Series 1 baseball cards. Officially launched today, these cards hold within them the echoes of that serendipitous subway moment.
“I love drawing inspiration from everyday things,” shared Imbriano enthusiastically. The simplicity of the statement belies the richness of his creative process. “It could be a building, a sign—just something that catches my eye.” His smartphone, a vault of incidental images, often transforms such ordinary sights into the extraordinary foundations of impactful design. “You never know when something simple will turn into something big.”
The 2025 design beautifully encapsulates this philosophy. Two bold lines sweep confidently across the left side and top of the card, color-matched to the hues of each individual team. To some, these lines might ring a nostalgic bell, akin to the 1982 Topps set. This similarity, however, arose purely by accident. Imbriano’s initial inspiration was rooted in the woodgrain textures of the 1962 and 1987 sets. “The ’82 connection was a happy accident,” he confessed, laughing. “But I think it works because it blends vintage style with a modern twist.”
Every great design has a story of resilience and competition to tell, and Imbriano’s was no different. Within the competitive confines of Topps’ design selection process, designers present their concepts, sparking a pathway of rigorous reviews and critique. Imbriano’s design emerged victorious among over 20 submissions, a testament to its allure and innovation.
The journey from that initial subway revelation to the finalized product spanned several creative iterations—ten, to be exact—including adjustments, refinements, and even moments of frustration. “There’s so much that goes into this process,” Imbriano noted. He chuckled, but the seriousness in his tone was palpable. “I don’t think most people realize how much work happens before they ever hold the card in their hands.”
The transition from digital prototype to the tactile reality of a collector’s hands involves another layer of stringent evaluation. In this phase, physical prototypes are crafted to judge their feel and aesthetic appeal. “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. The gravity of this activity is accentuated by the idea that these deliberations ignite one of the most heated debates in the company’s offices each year.
“Everyone on the team knows how important this is. This is the 74th edition of Topps baseball cards,” Luraschi noted, acknowledging the profound lineage that threads through their product, from Sy Berger’s kitchen table designs to today’s high-tech processes. “It’s a big deal—but also a lot of fun.”
Beyond these base cards lies a constellation of new features for collectors to relish in 2025. Known icons return—such as Future Stars and All-Topps Team—joined by Training Grounds for spring training highlights and Call to the Hall for Hall of Fame inductees. A rich tapestry of special inserts, like City Connect Swatch Collection and Heavy Lumber Autographs, promises to enrich any collector’s quest.
A returning fan-favorite, Signature Tunes, pairs players with the artists behind their walk-up songs, adding a personal musical flair to the collection. The First Pitch series captures celebrities throwing out ceremonial first pitches, infusing a touch of glamour. Dodgers fans, in particular, will delight in exclusive variations celebrating the Freddie Dance—Freddie Freeman’s hip-swaying signature move post-base.
Among the most anticipated commemorations is the 35th-anniversary tribute to the 1990 Topps set, famed for its audacious and vibrant designs. Yet, the heart of this vast universe spins around the bold strokes of Imbriano’s designs.
“I approach designing cards like I would a movie poster,” he explained, likening each card to a mini visual narrative that demands individual appreciation. Luraschi is certain this year’s design will endure the test of time, remarking, “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.”
With every card carrying a slice of history and innovation, collectors can take a nostalgic journey while celebrating the present—a testament to what begins just as a fleeting idea can morph into a celebrated reality.
