Inspiration can strike in the most unexpected corners of our daily routines. For Phil Imbriano, a senior designer at Topps, a routine subway ride transformed into a moment of creative enlightenment. On this particular day, as the train’s rhythmic clatter eased into a predictable lull, a simple glance at a red-and-silver badge on the train car sparked an idea that would eventually ripple through the world of baseball card collecting.
With the signature of an artist coupled with the heart of a designer, Imbriano promptly snapped a photo of the badge that grabbed his attention. In a mere blink, the wheels of innovation were set into motion. By the time he reached his workspace, ideas were flowing faster than express trains hurtling through the winding tunnels beneath New York City.
Fast forward a year, those fledgling ideas birthed on a subway ride evolved into reality as the 2025 Topps Series 1 baseball cards launch to the public, showcasing their new base design, a testament to inspired creativity and design tenacity.
“I love drawing inspiration from everyday things,” Imbriano shared, with a glint of enthusiasm that mirrored his design ethos. “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.”
And big it has become. The new design features two bold lines sweeping gracefully upward along the left side, merging seamlessly across the top, offering a sense of movement and depth reminiscent of the fluidity observed in sports themselves. To a savvy collector, this may echo the familiar silhouette of the 1982 Topps set; however, the harmonizing of lines to match each team’s color palette offers a reinvention and modern resonance.
The nostalgia woven within these designs wasn’t planned. As serendipity would have it, Imbriano’s initial inspiration had roots in the woodgrain aesthetic of iconic sets like those of 1962 and 1987. “The ’82 connection was a happy accident,” he remarked with an air of joyful discovery. “But it works because it blends vintage style with a modern twist.”
The evolutionary path of this new design wasn’t just a solitary venture. It emerged victorious from a competitive internal selection at Topps, where creativity reigns supreme, subject to intense scrutiny. With over 20 submitted concepts vying for the spotlight, Imbriano’s subway-inspired rendition came out on top after a process embodying diligence, passion, and a commitment to crafting a legacy. The process, years in the making, even embraces elements from previously unsuccessful designs, a testament to continual evolution and learning. This year, meticulous attention to detail is showcased with the inclusion of a charming field graphic marking the player’s position in the card’s lower corner.
Translating these digital visions into tangible form is an endeavor in precision and tactility. Physical prototypes, a veritable testing ground to evaluate aesthetics and ergonomics, are crafted with care. “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. “It’s a long, competitive process, and it’s one of the biggest debates we have in the office all year.”
Besides the flagship design, the 2025 set boasts a medley of fresh additions promising to enamor collectors’ hearts. Popular subsets include Future Stars, a herald of rising talent, the All-Topps Team, and intriguing novelties like Training Grounds and Call to the Hall. The collectibles landscape further expands with City Connect Swatch Collection Autographs and Heavy Lumber Autographs, keeping the tradition of engaging fans with creative expressions alive.
For returning enthusiasts, the Signature Tunes pairs players with the artists behind their signature walk-up songs, a unique intersection of sports and musical storytelling. The First Pitch subset captures societal icons gracing the mound, adding a sprinkle of celebrity allure.
Tailored surprises await fans of specific teams, with Dodger devotees finding delight in celebratory moments immortalized in special base-card variations featuring none other than the charming “Freddie Dance,” a signature rhythm imprinted by Freddie Freeman’s on-field exploits.
In the backdrop of innovation, a sense of homage breathes through the set with a 35th-anniversary nod to the bold and vibrant taste of the 1990 Topps set. Yet, amidst all festivities and reverence, Imbriano’s subway-borne masterpiece stands as a pillar.
“My design philosophy is rooted in the belief that each card should stand out like a mini poster, resonating with collectors,” Imbriano elucidated, matching art’s intimacy with the passion of a longstanding tradition. This philosophy, seamlessly integrated with Topps’ legacy driven by Sy Berger’s humble yet revolutionary creation crafted at his kitchen table, now flourishes in a high-tech era.
Phil Imbriano’s journey of capturing inspiration from a mundane subway ride and distilling it into a fresh hallmark of sports collectibles is a testament to creativity’s mysterious yet bountiful nature. With the 2025 Topps Series 1 baseball cards now in collectors’ hands, they don’t just acquire a piece of history; they inherit the spirit of innovation transcending ordinary moments.
