Where creatives find inspiration

The most inspiring brands, public figures, and looks of the year

What's inspiring creators right now? A mix of iconic brands, cultural tastemakers, and timeless design styles.

Apple leads the way as the most creatively inspiring brand, according to creatives. With its clean designs and consistent innovation, Apple continues to influence content across categories. Adidas and Google followed, showing how branding, tech, and lifestyle brands all shape visual culture today.

When it comes to individual creatives, Beyoncé topped the list, followed closely by Rihanna, Taylor Swift, Billie Eilish, and Bad Bunny. These artists' appeal, from music to fashion to brand building, makes them powerful creative reference points across generations. The top creative inspiration for baby boomers was Kylie Jenner. Both Gen X and millennials said Rihanna is their creative muse, while Gen Z creatives were most inspired by Drake.

As for visual styles, minimalism and nostalgia/retro styles tied as the top design inspirations, with 25% of creators embracing each. Whether it's a clean, modern look or a vintage callback, both styles offer ways to create content that stands out.

Where creators go to spark new ideas

From short-form videos to brand visuals, creatives today draw inspiration from the same places they share their work.

TikTok leads as the most influential platform for creative inspiration in 2025, with 29% of creators citing it as their go-to source. Instagram followed at 25% and YouTube at 20%. These platforms' constant churn of visual content and emerging trends make them powerful tools for sparking new ideas.

When asked which content types most often inspired them, 56% of creatives pointed to short-form video, followed by memes and pop culture references (35%) and long-form video (33%). Quick, visual storytelling continues to dominate, offering a rich playground for design and content experimentation.

Many creatives aren't just inspired by content. They’re also actively deconstructing it. Social media posts (50%), branding and visuals (42%), and videos (35%) are the most commonly reverse-engineered content types. This shows how creators study what works, then remix it with their own twist.

Nearly half of creatives (47%) estimated spending 11 to 30 minutes gathering inspiration before they start creating content, while 22% said they dedicate over an hour to research and ideation. The right creative spark takes time, but the right tools also speed things up.

Balancing originality with trend awareness

Inspiration is everywhere, but so is pressure. Here's how creators are navigating the need to be original while staying on trend.

Over half of creatives (56%) reported feeling pressure to follow visual trends to stay relevant. Another 57% also felt pressure to publish more quickly because of their competition. Add in that 30% said they feel overwhelmed by the sheer number of trends, and it's clear that creators are juggling a lot to stay competitive.

Despite all that, most creatives are striving for balance. Half of those surveyed said the key to creative success is blending originality with trends. Just 11% said trend-following should take priority, while 39% preferred originality above all.

Looking ahead, nearly half of all creatives (48%) had plans to refresh their brand identity in 2026. That includes 11% planning a full rebrand. With visual trends evolving rapidly and consumer expectations increasing, more creators are preparing to adapt how they present their work or brand online.

Tools for creating original content

Creative inspiration is everywhere, and with the right tools, it's easier than ever to turn those ideas into standout content. Adobe Express makes it simple to design, plan, and share visuals that reflect your unique style while staying on trend.

Try these tools to bring your creative ideas to life even faster:

• Short-form video creator: Create TikTok, Instagram Reel, or YouTube video content using customizable, on-trend templates.
• Brand kits: Refresh your visual identity with custom logos, fonts, and color palettes that you can apply across all your content.
• Content Scheduler: Plan and publish posts across your channels while staying consistent with brand visuals and voice.
• Mood board maker: Collect and organize your creative inspiration into one visual board before starting a new project.
• Social media graphics: Design shareable graphics that follow popular styles like minimalism or retro with easy-to-use templates.