Creative trends that will define 2026 according to Adobe
At a time when digital creativity is undergoing a radical transformation, Adobe has released its Creative Trends 2026 report, an essential compass for understanding where design, communication and creative processes as a whole are heading.
This report is far more than a simple list of visual fashions: it is a global synthesis based on Adobe Creative Cloud usage data, cultural patterns and contributions from the creative community, highlighting the forces that will shape creative work in the coming years.
At the heart of these trends lies a clear focus: creativity that connects with human emotion and celebrates authenticity, while making intelligent use of available technological tools, especially generative artificial intelligence, without losing sight of the value of craftsmanship and culture.
One of the most powerful trends identified in the report is what Adobe calls All the Feels: designs, brands and content that go beyond the visual to activate multiple senses. This is not just about seeing, but almost about touching, hearing and even “feeling” the message. Colour, texture, sound and composition come together to create pieces that evoke deep, immersive sensations.
In practice, this means committing to visual narratives that feel rich and complete, capable of conveying emotions beyond the obvious. Brands that achieve this are able to create truly memorable moments.
Connectioneering is another major trend highlighted by Adobe for 2026: the creation of experiences that establish genuine bonds between brands and their audiences, elevating creativity from aesthetics to shared emotional experiences.
This involves:
- Content with a strong human narrative
- The integration of emotional structures into campaigns and visual pieces
- Strategic use of moodboards to align ideas and emotions before execution
In a landscape saturated with stimuli, what resonates most is what is felt, not simply what is seen.
Adobe also points to a more exploratory and disruptive trend: Surreal Silliness. This approach encourages creatives to unleash their imagination and embrace the unexpected, the absurd and the surprising, with the help of tools such as Adobe Firefly and other generative AI platforms that make it possible to create striking, unconventional visuals from simple prompts.
Beyond its playful nature, this creative approach is a powerful way to stand out in saturated channels such as social media, where attention is scarce and the unexpected captures interest.
The fourth trend identified by Adobe for 2026 revolves around authenticity and connection to the local. In a hyperconnected world, many audiences, especially younger generations, are seeking real proximity to cultures, stories and roots.
This does not mean relying on cultural clichés, but rather collaborating with local creators and highlighting real communities within visual and strategic processes. Narratives become richer and more meaningful when they are born from diversity and genuine experiences.
As these trends gain momentum, other complementary reports point in a similar direction: creativity in 2026 does not reject technology, particularly AI, but places humanity, storytelling and emotion back at the centre.
Other industry forecasts, from Adobe Express and specialised publications, also highlight hybrid combinations of digital and handcrafted approaches, organic and deconstructed aesthetics, and the growing importance of authentic storytelling across all creative disciplines.
If you want to apply these trends to your creative projects or train professionally to lead the visual innovation, at LABASAD we offer Master’s programmes designed to prepare you for the future of creativity.
Discover our Online Master’s programmes at labasad.com or get in touch at [email protected]
¡The creative future is waiting for you!