Inspiration is a peculiar beast; it often lurks in the shadows, waiting patiently to spring upon unsuspecting souls in the most mundane of moments. For Phil Imbriano, an esteemed designer at Topps, inspiration struck not in the throes of artistic agony or amid the uplifting symphony of creative enlightenment, but rather while ensconced in the everyday banality of a New York City subway ride.
As the train clattered along its well-worn tracks, jostling passengers like grains in a giant urban maraca, Imbriano’s eyes settled on a seemingly inconsequential detail in the rail car’s decor. A red-and-silver badge, adorned with sleek lines and curves—a tribute to streamlined efficiency—was where his attention lingered. With the speed of a true creative mind, he snapped a quick photo, storing it in his digital treasure chest. By the time he reached his desk at Topps, this brush with urban artistry had germinated into the first tendrils of an idea—an idea that would eventually bloom into the dazzling design for the 2025 Topps Series 1 baseball cards.
“I love drawing inspiration from everyday things,” Imbriano shared, exuding the kind of humbleness that belies a creative genius. “A building, a sign—anything that catches my eye could be the seed of something bigger.” This sentiment wasn’t just a handy catchphrase; his process involved meticulously capturing moments of curiosity and wonder through the lens of his camera, only to revisit them when the creative muse demanded it.
Initially, the train-inspired design conjured echoes of the woodgrain aesthetic found in Topps sets from 1962 and 1987. But in a twist as delightful as an unexpected plot point, what emerged bore a striking resemblance to the 1982 Topps set. “The ’82 connection was a happy accident,” Imbriano admitted with a smile. “But it works because it harmonizes vintage flair with a chic, contemporary twist.”
This design was not plucked from the ether without a rigorous selection process. Imbriano’s concept navigated a labyrinth of assessments and evaluations within Topps, facing off against a formidable 20 other submissions. His design eventually triumphed, embodying a sense of energy and nostalgia that captured Topps aficionados’ imaginations.
From inception on the subway to a realized vision printed on cardboard, Imbriano carved out no fewer than ten conceptual iterations. Each design was a step in an evolutionary journey, selected and refined with care before reaching the hands of baseball card enthusiasts.
The leap from digital to physical is not a mere hop—it’s a grand jete. When Imbriano’s design made it to the final five, Topps orchestrated an elaborate review process. Clay Luraschi, Topps’ senior vice president of product, describes this adjudication ritual as a sacred rite. “When down to the final five designs, we print them and simulate opening a pack,” Luraschi explained with evident enthusiasm. For Topps, steeped in its august 74-year history, these debates are both a resolute responsibility and a joyful tradition.
Sporting the new design, the 2025 Topps Series 1 transcends its base aesthetic, unveiling a trove of sub-series destined to excite collectors and fans alike. The dynamic subsets include favorites such as Future Stars and the All-Topps Team, alongside innovative additions like Training Grounds, Call to the Hall, and various autograph collections. Meanwhile, creativity runs wild in Signature Tunes, pairing players with the artists who’ve scored their memorable walk-up tunes, and First Pitch, capturing celebrities’ ceremonial pitches.
This year, a nod to nostalgia graces the release in the shape of a 35th-anniversary tribute to the 1990 Topps set, renowned for its vibrant designs—it’s a radiant celebration of the past, framed by today’s technological prowess.
Topps has always approached its cards with a level of reverence typically reserved for high art. “I approach designing cards like I would a movie poster,” Imbriano revealed. His objective is to create distinct, standalone mini-posters that collectors can hold, admire, and cherish—a philosophy that aligns seamlessly with Topps’ enduring legacy and innovation.
Luraschi offered the highest commendation, summing up the endeavor as one destined to be timelocked in the annals of baseball card history. “Fifty years from now, people should look at a card and instantly recognize the year it’s from. This design nails that.”
Thus, a serendipitous subway moment sparked a splash of inspiration, leading to a cascading kaleidoscope of creative expression that culminated in the 2025 Topps Series 1. In the world of collectors, fans await with bated breath, eager to clasp the past and the present in the palm of their hands. In the bustling rhythm of a commuter train, a snapshot snapshot planted the seeds of another chapter in the storied saga of baseball card history.
