From gothic to grunge: why ‘dark’ ’90s aesthetics are set to dominate 2025 [Video]

Dark aesthetics are back. From Gothic to Dark Baroque, Noir, and Grunge, retro styles that can be described as gloomy, mysterious, and a little pessimistic are increasingly becoming favorites for social media users of all ages. Millennials perceive them through the prism of nostalgia, while Gen Z values their potential to express uncertainty about the future.

The annual flagship report by Depositphotos, Creative Trends 2025, also noted dark aesthetics as a trend that will dominate visual communications and marketing in the coming months. To help you select an aesthetic that will resonate with your audience and wisely combine it with your existing branding, we’ve collected some data- and expert-driven tips below. For more inspiration, take a look at Creative Bloq’s roundup of 2025 design trends.

The dark aesthetics set to dominate 2025

01. Gothic

This …