Discover how TRÜF’s “Weird Fishes” splash screen for Adobe Illustrator 2025 celebrates creativity with vibrant, minimalist illustration.

The Adobe Illustrator 2025 splash screen opens with a statement: creativity meets minimalism. Designed by TRÜF Studio, the “Weird Fishes” artwork that greets users embodies Adobe’s tools while making an instant visual impact. This splash screen not only excites users about the app but also showcases Illustrator’s dynamic possibilities, creating a memorable start to the creative process. Here’s a look at the creative vision, tools, and collaboration behind this unique splash screen update.

“Weird Fishes”: A Showcase of Creative Tools

TRÜF’s “Weird Fishes” centers on playfully stylized fish, created using Adobe Illustrator’s updated typography and 3D tools, which highlight the 2025 release’s expanded capabilities. This splash screen is a celebration of how Illustrator can bring out unique textures, gradients, and typographic designs, making it feel like a blend of traditional and digital artistry. The design follows Adam G’s distinctive style—minimal yet quirky, with each element purposefully crafted to show off Adobe’s creative potential.

The splash screen, as Adobe intended, isn’t just a loading screen. It’s a reminder of what Illustrator users can “Dream Up.” As Alex Fernald and Gleren Meneghin, Adobe’s staff designers, emphasized, the splash screens are not only entry points into the app but connections to Adobe’s creative community. They bring in commissioned art, linking Illustrator users to other creators while inviting exploration of the software’s capabilities.

Balancing Art and Function in the Design

This splash screen’s journey began the old-fashioned way—on paper. This initial sketching phase gave TRÜF the freedom to experiment with the composition, exploring the balance of shapes and lines. Once refined, the concept moved into Illustrator, where TRÜF fully explored the software’s features to enhance the digital version. In a brief, 90-second process video, TRÜF showcased their workflow from sketch to the finished splash screen, a rare peek into how minimalist, impactful design comes together.

A User-Centric Approach to Illustration

Adobe’s splash screens, including “Weird Fishes,” are a result of ongoing feedback from users. Through surveys sent to product teams, Adobe designers Alex and Gleren learned the nuances that users valued in the loading screen—like minimal launch delays and artist recognition. This feedback shaped the design, ensuring the new splash screens would spotlight the artist while maintaining the program’s efficiency.

To make the splash screen visually immersive, Adobe made adjustments based on past feedback. The artwork was enlarged, and the artist’s name appears in a larger, bold typeface, creating a clearer hierarchy that celebrates both the art and artist. As the Adobe Spectrum design system evolved, so did the splash screens, aligning with modern standards while preserving Adobe’s commitment to showcasing diverse creative voices.

Reflecting Adobe’s Evolution with Modern Minimalism

Historically, Illustrator splash screens have evolved alongside the Adobe brand. From early versions in the 1980s, featuring iconic art references, to today’s community-focused pieces, these screens highlight a shift from static visuals to dynamic creative introductions. Adobe’s recent redesign, led by Fernald and Meneghin, reimagined this format to center both the artist and the Adobe brand, using clean type and colors while expanding the visual space for the artwork. This shift reaffirms Adobe’s mission to foster connections within its creative ecosystem.

The splash screens across Adobe products are meant to offer a consistent brand experience, but each one also tells a unique story, showcasing the latest in illustration and design through collaboration with Studio team artists. Adobe’s team expanded the artwork’s size, adjusting its specs back to 2019 dimensions to create a more immersive user experience. The Adobe wordmark in red stands beside the product name in black, emphasizing the connection between Adobe and its creative community.

The Legacy and Future of Adobe Splash Screens

“What’s next?” is a question Adobe’s designers are always answering. With the 2025 Illustrator splash screen’s debut at Adobe MAX 2024, Adobe introduced the latest evolution in Creative Cloud. These splash screens remain essential touchpoints, showcasing new work, enhancing user experience, and connecting each user to Adobe’s creative network.

TRÜF’s “Weird Fishes” invites Illustrator users to think beyond the ordinary. It’s a nod to the creative possibilities the software enables, a tribute to digital and analog techniques, and a reminder that every creative journey begins with opening Adobe Illustrator.

This splash screen illustration is a subtle invitation for creatives to make the most of Illustrator’s tools and capabilities, setting the stage for inspired design from the moment they open the app.

Illustration artifacts

Pillow manufactured by Adobe. Photo courtesy of Adobe

Explore how Graphic Hunters’ visual identity redefines sports branding through innovative design inspired by fashion and art.

Graphic Hunters, a Dutch studio dedicated to sports branding, isn’t playing by the typical design rulebook. Instead, their newly crafted visual identity steps outside the confines of traditional sports aesthetics, introducing elements drawn from fashion and high design. The result is a high-impact, versatile identity that positions Graphic Hunters as a creative club worth joining—whether as a client or a collaborator.

A New Playbook for Sports Branding

At the heart of Graphic Hunters’ approach is the idea that the sports industry deserves a more refined and exclusive visual experience. This belief is woven into every part of their branding, which Monga Design and Vogau led with a clear vision. The goal was to create a system that balances functionality with creative exploration, breaking conventions while still delivering practical, adaptable solutions for various applications.

This innovative take on visual identity isn’t just about aesthetics; it’s a strategy aimed at redefining the brand’s place in the market. Graphic Hunters has always described itself as a team hungry for new challenges, and now, their brand identity reflects that spirit. The new look aims to make the studio stand out in the sports arena and beyond, appealing to clients and team members who value originality and impact.

Graphic Hunters’ identity combines familiar elements from the sports world—like motion and heat—with unexpected treatments. The design team drew inspiration from fashion and abstract art to create a visual language that transcends typical sports branding. This cross-pollination of ideas manifests in several core elements:

1. Typographic Experimentation: Instead of relying on traditional sports typefaces, the team played with a variety of fonts that feel bold and contemporary. Typography serves as both structure and disruption, bringing energy to each layout.

2. Photographic Treatments: The identity includes photographs that have been creatively manipulated, breaking up the grid and adding an element of surprise. This technique turns static images into dynamic design features, echoing the constant motion of sports.

3. Grid System and Stickers: To keep the brand’s applications cohesive yet flexible, a structured grid underpins the design. However, this is cleverly offset by playful elements like stickers and graphical interventions, which keep the brand feeling fresh and exciting.

One of the biggest challenges was making the visual system adaptable yet creatively open. Sports branding often leans into themes of power and motion, but Graphic Hunters wanted to do more. The result is a brand that’s equally at home on a team jersey or a digital campaign, seamlessly moving between refined, impactful moments and bold, playful expressions. This adaptability speaks to the studio’s ethos of being a “creative club,” where everyone is encouraged to push the boundaries.

Another essential aspect was research. The design team explored references beyond the sports realm, looking at high fashion and experimental graphic design. This broader inspiration palette allowed Graphic Hunters to create something genuinely unique for the industry. The identity’s experimental typography and abstract motifs capture the feeling of heat and energy—core elements of sports—while grounding them in a sophisticated design language.

Elevating Sports Design Beyond the Field

By combining these unexpected references with a strong foundation of sports elements, Graphic Hunters has crafted a visual identity that is both striking and functional. It stands as a testament to the idea that sports design can be more than bold fonts and action shots. It can be a narrative of innovation and exclusivity, appealing to an audience that appreciates both the adrenaline of sports and the sophistication of high design.

Graphic Hunters’ reimagined branding proves that sports-focused design can be just as experimental and refined as any high-fashion brand. It’s a visual identity that elevates the sports studio into a space where design meets performance, art meets action, and innovation becomes the new norm. As the brand continues to grow, this identity will serve as a powerful statement of their ambition: to bring high-impact, original design to the world of sports, one project at a time.

Branding and visual identity artifacts

Credits

• Authors: Monga Design, Vogau and Clint Studio
• Visual identity: Monga Design (Mateus Yuzo, Michel Refatti) and Vogau (Carlos Eduardo Marin, Gabriela Colebrusco Peres)
• Motion: Clint Studio (Bruno Vitalino, Danilo Coelho, Gustavo Brazzalle, Lucas José Galego, Luciano Burger

Discover Anthony Lam’s captivating illustration work for the HART Curatorship Incubation Programme 2024, blending art with purpose.

HART Collective Limited’s 2024 Curatorship Incubation Programme comes alive through a series of vibrant visuals and social media collaterals designed by Anthony Lam. This illustration project, aimed at amplifying the HART initiative’s reach, seamlessly combines creativity and purpose. Let’s dive into the thought process, design elements, and impact of these compelling illustrations.

Bringing Artful Storytelling to HART

The HART Curatorship Incubation Programme is more than just an event; it’s a platform that nurtures emerging curators and fosters artistic engagement in Hong Kong. For this initiative, HART Haus collaborated with Anthony Lam to create visuals that encapsulate the spirit of innovation and community central to the programme. With a focus on vibrant, eye-catching design, Lam’s illustrations breathe life into the promotional material, making the programme’s message resonate visually.

One of the striking features of this project is the careful choice of typography. The primary typeface used is Degular Display by James Edmondson from OH no Type Co. This choice lends a contemporary and approachable vibe to the design, complementing the modern and energetic illustrations. The type’s bold and clean lines create a sense of structure amidst the dynamic visuals.

Lam’s illustrations use a playful yet sophisticated color palette, striking a balance between the avant-garde and the accessible. The design approach draws heavily from art movements that emphasize form and rhythm, mirroring the essence of a programme that curates art as an experience. Each piece incorporates abstract shapes and flowing patterns that evoke a sense of motion, representing the evolving journey of curatorship and the fluid nature of artistic collaboration.

Illustration isn’t just about static visuals; it’s about telling a story that connects with an audience. For this project, Lam crafted designs meant to adapt seamlessly across multiple platforms, from print to digital media. The social media assets, in particular, utilize animations and interactive elements to capture the attention of a fast-scrolling audience. These designs ensure that the HART Curatorship Incubation Programme stands out in the crowded digital space.

The use of illustration as a core element of the visual identity allows for more flexibility and engagement. It provides a canvas where abstract concepts about art and curatorship can be expressed in a way that feels both authentic and exciting. Whether seen on a poster, a website, or a social post, each visual invites viewers to explore and learn more about the programme.

Illustration plays a crucial role in making art initiatives accessible to a broader audience. By employing a visually striking yet relatable design language, Anthony Lam’s work for HART bridges the gap between curators and the community. The visuals don’t just inform; they inspire curiosity and engagement, which is essential for an incubation programme that seeks to elevate emerging curators.

This collaboration also highlights the impact of thoughtful design in the arts sector. By leveraging illustration, HART Collective can convey complex ideas in a way that is immediately understandable and appealing. The choice of colors, the movement within the compositions, and the bold typography all work together to create a cohesive narrative that draws people in.

The HART Curatorship Incubation Programme’s visual identity showcases how illustration can elevate an arts initiative, making it more engaging and impactful. Anthony Lam’s designs prove that illustration, when done thoughtfully, can serve as a bridge between art and the public, turning viewers into participants and supporters.

This project is a reminder that effective visual identity goes beyond aesthetics; it tells a story that connects and captivates. As HART continues to grow its curatorship programme, the illustrations created for this year’s campaign will undoubtedly leave a lasting impression, drawing more people into the world of art and collaboration.

Graphic design and illustration artifacts

Credits

• Client: HART Haus, HART Collective Limited
• Typeface in use: Degular Display designed by James Edmondson. From OH no Type Co.
• Author: Anthony Lam

Discover FLIPPO Pet Food’s playful branding and clean packaging design, making waves in the pet food industry.

FLIPPO Pet Food is more than just a brand; it’s a lively celebration of real, natural nutrition for pets. Developed in Spain, FLIPPO takes a bold stand against traditional pet kibble, ushering in a wave of wholesome, fresh ingredients for our loyal companions. This design-centric approach comes to life through FLIPPO’s unique branding and eye-catching packaging, crafted by the talented team at invade design, Colombia.

A Visual Feast for Pet Lovers

FLIPPO’s brand identity is anything but conventional. It combines playful illustrations, vibrant colors, and friendly typography to create an experience that instantly captures attention. The visual storytelling here is intentional, aimed at communicating the brand’s commitment to quality and its promise of real food for pets. The design invites pet owners to rethink what they feed their furry friends, making every interaction with the packaging memorable.

One of the standout features of FLIPPO’s design is its use of clean lines and engaging illustrations. Each packaging element feels like an invitation to a healthier, happier lifestyle for pets. The color palette bursts with energy, reflecting the brand’s fun and light-hearted personality while reinforcing its serious commitment to pet health.

Thoughtful Typography and Brand Messaging

Typography in FLIPPO’s design strikes a fine balance between playful and practical. The brand uses bold, easy-to-read fonts that ensure key messages are clear, whether they’re displayed in store aisles or in a social media feed. This typographic choice complements the visuals, making the overall design both appealing and accessible.

Brand messaging leans into humor and relatability. FLIPPO’s playful copy engages pet owners with a tone that’s both fun and genuine. It’s a reminder that feeding our pets shouldn’t be a chore but a joyful experience, one that prioritizes their well-being.

From Concept to Reality: Behind the Scenes

The team at invade design worked meticulously to craft an identity that stands out in the competitive pet food market. Photography by Serena.Studio captures the freshness and quality of the ingredients, enhancing the appeal of the design. Together, these elements create a brand ecosystem that feels cohesive and authentic.

For those interested in design inspiration, FLIPPO offers a masterclass in branding and packaging that balances fun with function. Check out the full project and more by invade design on Behance at https://www.behance.net/madebyinvade.

Branding and packaging design artifacts

Credits

• Identidad de Marca:
• invade, Colombia
• Team:
• María Vélez
• Agustin Hoyos
• Mariana Castrillón
• Tania Flórez
• Tomás Saldarriaga
• Mateo Ríos
• ​​​​​​​Fotografía:
• Serena.Studio