How Surface Pattern Designers Can Use the Pinterest 2025 Fall Trend Report to Get Seen
Most seasons, Pinterest releases a trend report packed with insights into what people are searching for most. And this year’s 2025 Fall Trend Report is clear: Gen Z is driving a powerful shift toward thrifting, sustainability, and one-of-a-kind style.
So, what does this mean for you as a surface pattern designer who wants to get noticed and licensed? A lot, actually. Because these trends show us what buyers, brands, and art directors are already tuned into, and you can position your work to align with them.
Here’s how to use the trend report to boost your visibility and licensing potential.
1. Design into the demand for secondhand style
Gen Z is leading a massive surge in thrifting and sustainable shopping. Searches for “dream thrift finds” have skyrocketed by 550%, and “vintage autumn aesthetic” is up over 1,000%.
As a designer, this is your green light to:
Experiment with vintage-inspired patterns (think preppy stripes, patchwork, or Art Deco revival).
Showcase how your designs could give pre-loved products a modern twist.
Use language like “vintage,” “secondhand,” or “retro-inspired” in your pin descriptions so your work matches the searches buyers are already making.
2. Highlight versatile colourways and pattern stories
From caffeine-inspired clothing (espresso, vanilla, latte tones) to classic preppy outfits in navy and stripes, colour stories are a big part of this season’s search trends.
Your move?
Pin multiple colourways of each design to show flexibility.
Build mini collections around trending palettes (coffee tones, preppy blues, polka dots).
Pitch to brands with a note on how your designs align with current consumer searches.
3. Think beyond fashion — interiors matter too
This year’s trend report isn’t just about clothes. Pinterest searches for secondhand kitchens (+1,012%), Art Deco decor (+805%), and statement tiles (+1,107%) are surging.
For surface pattern designers, this opens the door to:
Creating patterns with homewares or interiors in mind.
Mocking up your work on tiles, cushions, or kitchen products to show art directors its potential.
Using keywords like “Art Deco,” “statement tile,” and “cubicle decor” to reach buyers outside the fashion space.
4. Optimise your Pinterest pins with trend keywords
Pinterest is a search engine first, social media second. That means the exact wording you use in your pins matters.
When you’re uploading your designs, weave in the same terms that are trending in this report:
“Vintage autumn aesthetic”
“Patchwork pieces”
“Polka dot aesthetic”
“Art Deco decor”
This way, your work can ride the wave of existing search traffic, and land directly in front of art directors while you sleep.
Why this matters for licensing
Art directors aren’t scrolling Instagram hoping to stumble on new talent. They’re searching platforms like Pinterest with specific styles in mind. When your work speaks the same language as their searches, you make it 10x easier for them to find (and license) your designs.
Want step-by-step guidance?
I’ve put together a free guide on how to use Pinterest strategically as a designer, the same strategy I used to start waking up to new eyes on my work.
And if you’d like to dive into the full Pinterest 2025 Autumn Trend Report yourself, you can find it here: Pinterest Trend Report.
Want to learn more about leveraging Pinterest as a surface pattern designer? I dive even deeper into strategies that actually get your work seen (and licensed) inside my workshop.
