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✨ Design News & Inspiration for GCU Artists — Fall 2025

The design world has been buzzing lately with colour, nostalgia, and a renewed love for print. Here’s a look at what’s making waves this season — and why it’s worth a peek for those of us in the greeting-card world.

1. Print Is Having Its Premium Comeback

In an era where everything lives on a screen, print has become the new luxury. Major fashion magazines are cutting back on frequency but upping their paper quality and production values, creating collectible editions that feel special to hold.

This trend celebrates the tangible — the feel of paper, the smell of ink, the physical experience of turning a page. It’s a comforting reminder that printed cards remain timeless keepsakes.

📰 Read more: The Future of Fashion Magazines: Fewer, More Premium Issues — Vogue Business

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2. The Retro Revival Rolls On

From avocado-green kitchens to lava lamps and shag rugs, nostalgia is having a moment again. Designers are embracing the colour palettes and playful patterns of the 1960s–1990s — with a fresh, modern twist.

Whether it’s in home décor, fashion, or packaging, there’s a clear appetite for cheerful design, bold typography, and a touch of whimsy. That spirit of nostalgia pairs beautifully with the emotional core of greeting cards.

📰 Read more:

• Throwback Styles Meet Modern Tech for a Retro Revival — AP News
• Designers Are Calling It: These 1960s Trends Are Making a Comeback — Good Housekeeping

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3. Colour Gets Bold Again

Muted minimalism is taking a back seat as saturated tones and expressive palettes surge forward. From high-contrast duos to electric pinks and deep greens, bold colour is back on the design stage.

Designers are mixing hues with confidence, creating work that feels optimistic and eye-catching — a welcome shift after years of quiet neutrals. It’s all about standing out and sparking emotion through colour.

📰 Read more: Graphic Design Trends 2025 — G2 Learn Hub

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4. AI Tools: Supporting Creativity, Not Replacing It

In 2025, we’re seeing artificial intelligence step more and more into the design scene — but not as a substitute for a designer’s spark. Instead, it’s becoming a creative assistant: helping with brainstorming, generating variations, and freeing up time for the human part of design. Creative Boom+4Venngage+4AI Graphic Design Courses+4

Some key things to note:

• AI is most useful in the early stages of design: idea generation, exploring colour options, laying out compositions. AI Graphic Design Courses+1
• It encourages designers to iterate more, try variations faster, and experiment more freely. Yes I’m a Designer+1
• At the same time, it highlights the lasting importance of human judgement, story-telling and emotional resonance — things that are especially relevant in greeting-card design. Bernard Marr

📰 Read more:

“AI and Design Trends to Watch in 2025: From Photorealism to Personalization” — GeeksforGeeks

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5. Nature & Organic Forms Keep Surging

From interiors to type, design is leaning into softer curves, natural materials, and “organic modern” warmth. A recent feature on Bella Hadid’s living room shows the look in the wild—neutral palettes, wood and stone textures, and layered tactility. Paris Design Week also highlighted nature-forward materials and calm geometry in Snøhetta × Citterio’s new “Borealis” modular seating. And on the graphics side, type with organic quirks and hand-touched imperfection is trending.
📰 Read more:

Designity — “Typography Trends 2025: the 5 biggest styles” (includes organic-feeling letterforms; published Sep 12, 2025). designity.com

Homes & Gardens — “Bella Hadid’s take on the organic modern trend” (published last week). Homes and Gardens

Wallpaper — “Snøhetta and Citterio’s ‘Borealis’ modular furniture at Paris Design Week 2025.” Wallpaper*

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🌍 In a Nutshell

Across all corners of design, the message is clear: people crave warmth, emotion, and connection. Whether it’s through colour, nostalgia, or tangible print, the human touch is what stands out — and that’s exactly what greeting cards are all about.

Happy Designing!

Corrie

Wanted Cards Extra – Wedding Canceled Encouragement

As emotionally charged and exciting as weddings can be, the flip side is just as powerful—when a wedding is canceled. Whether it’s a mutual decision, unforeseen circumstances, or family dynamics, the disappointment and heartache can ripple through not only the couple but also their parents, families, and even close friends.

Currently, Greeting Card Universe has few options for this sensitive situation. That’s why we’d love to see new designs offering words of comfort, encouragement, and compassion. These cards shouldn’t dwell on the negative but instead gently acknowledge the loss of “what was to be” while offering strength and support to those affected.

Think of soft tones, calming imagery, and messages that are empathetic without being judgmental. Consider designs that feature florals, abstract comforting patterns, or nature-inspired imagery (sunsets, birds, butterflies, peaceful landscapes). Simple typography-driven cards can also work beautifully when paired with the right words.

These cards should be placed here:

• Occasions >> Encouragement >> Wedding Canceled >> For Parents of the Bride cid#39378
• Occasions >> Encouragement >> Wedding Canceled >> For Parents of the Groom cid#39380
• Occasions >> Encouragement >> Wedding Canceled >> Other cid#34852
• Occasions >> Encouragement >> Wedding Canceled >> General cid#34850

Card Text Suggestions for Artists

General
Front: “Life doesn’t always go as planned…”
Inside: “…but that doesn’t mean brighter days aren’t ahead. Thinking of you with care and encouragement.”

Front: “When one chapter closes…”
Inside: “…a new one is waiting to be written. Sending love and strength.”

For Bride or Groom
Front: “Your heart is stronger than you think.”
Inside: “Sending encouragement and love as you heal and move forward.”

Front: “It’s okay to grieve the ‘what could have been.’”
Inside: “Know that you’re not alone and better days are coming.”

For Parents of the Bride / Groom
Front: “Not the journey you envisioned…”
Inside: “…but your love, support, and strength mean the world. Thinking of you during this difficult time.”

Front: “As parents, your hearts hurt too.”
Inside: “May you find peace and comfort in the days ahead.”

Other (friends, extended family, etc.)
Front: “Weddings may be canceled…”
Inside: “…but love, friendship, and family never are. Standing by you.”

Front: “This isn’t the ending—it’s just a change in plans.”
Inside: “Here for you always, with love and support.”

Happy designing!

Corrie