In the bustling subterranean milieu of a New York City subway, where diverse vignettes of urban life unfold in synchronized chaos, a seemingly mundane train ride became the birthplace of a revolutionary design concept. While most commuters might lose themselves in podcasts or the latest bestseller, Phil Imbriano, a senior designer at Topps, had his epiphany in the glint of a red-and-silver badge. It was not just an ordinary day on his commute; it was a day that hints at destiny. The sleek aesthetics and fluid geometry of the subway’s insignia caught his artistic eye. Capturing the moment with a quick snap on his phone, Imbriano laid the seeds for what would become the 2025 Topps Series 1 baseball card design.
As the trains trundled through the veins of the metropolis, Imbriano’s mind was abuzz with ideas. By the time he alighted and made his way through the labyrinth of office cubicles to his desk at Topps, sketches had already sprung to life in the confines of his imagination. It wasn’t long before those sketches evolved into a tangible concept, a base design that would soon captivate card collectors worldwide.
“I love drawing inspiration from everyday things,” Imbriano confessed, his eyes twinkling with excitement borne from creativity and nostalgia. “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 result of this creative flurry is a design characterized by two bold lines that rhythmically trace up the left side and sweep across the top of the card. While some might find it evocative of the 1982 Topps set, the connection wasn’t premeditated. Blending the old with the new, these lines are customized to match the team colors, offering a modern twist on a vintage note. Imbriano admitted that his initial musings drew from the woodgrain allure of the 1962 and 1987 sets, but as artistic journeys often go, happy accidents guided the way to unexpected echoes of 1982. “The ’82 connection was a happy accident,” he mused. “But I think it works because it blends vintage style with a modern twist.”
What many card enthusiasts might not realize is the lengthy, competitive crucible every design undergoes at Topps. Imbriano’s creation triumphed over 20 other artistic entries after being tested in a relentless selection process spanning several months. At times, elements from non-winning designs find their place in future collections, enriching them with detailed nods to creativity past. One such carry-over is a petite graphic in the card’s corner, denoting the player’s position.
The journey from a passing inspiration on the subway to the final, ready-for-the-public product took a staggering ten iterations. “There’s so much that goes into this process,” Imbriano said, leaning slightly forward as if sharing a cherished secret. “I don’t think most people realize how much work happens before they ever hold the card in their hands.”
But the transformation doesn’t halt with digital artwork. At Topps, the designs become physical, tactile prototypes, scrutinized meticulously for their look and feel. Clay Luraschi, the Senior Vice President of Product at Topps, described the intense culmination of this journey. “When we’re down to the final five designs, we actually print them out and simulate opening a pack,” Luraschi explained. “It’s a long, competitive process, and it’s one of the biggest debates we have in the office all year.”
“Everyone on the team knows how important this is,” he added, reverberating an ardor for the legacy. “This is the 74th edition of Topps baseball cards. From the early days when Sy Berger designed them at his kitchen table to today’s high-tech process, we all take that legacy seriously. It’s a big deal—but also a lot of fun.”
However, the captivating base design is merely the surface of Topps’ offerings for 2025. A treasure trove of beloved subsets spices up the collection, making it a truly engaging experience for every fan. This year’s series introduces Future Stars, the All-Topps Team, awe-inspiring Spring Training highlights through Training Grounds, and tributes to baseball’s greatest with the Call to the Hall set. For those seeking glamour with nostalgia, explore the playful City Connect Swatch Collection Autographs and the Heavy Lumber Autographs.
An especially joyous addition is the Signature Tunes subset, pairing players with artists behind their walk-up songs, epitomizing the marriage of sports and music. And for a touch of celebrity allure, First Pitch captures notable figures and their ceremonial first throws.
For Dodgers enthusiasts, there’s a lottery of delightful photo variations, including the iconic Freddie Dance—Freddie Freeman’s unique celebratory shuffle only after he’s safely reached base.
This year’s homage to the past sees a colorful revival with the 1990 Topps set on its 35th anniversary, while the core of it all remains the vibrant new base design conjured from an underground revelation.
Imbriano approaches his designs with the fervor of a movie poster artist, intent on creating pieces that can stand alone, reminiscent of a cherished mini poster tucked into a collector’s trove. “I approach designing cards like I would a movie poster,” he said. “Each card should stand out on its own, almost like a mini poster in a collector’s hands.”
It is this perspective, where art meets fandom, that fuels the enduring allure of Topps’ design philosophy. “I think Phil’s design is incredible,” Luraschi concluded. “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.”
