Innovation and authenticity — Adobe’s 2026 Creative Trends forecast.

Imagination meets limitless possibility.

Technology is moving faster than ever, reshaping how ideas are made, shared, and experienced. At the same time, audiences are craving work that feels more human. Adobe’s 2026 Creative Trends report explores the styles and stories that define this new balance. From authentic, emotional design to delightfully strange AI-driven visuals, visionaries everywhere are using technology not as a replacement for creativity, but as an amplifier for it.

Discover four creative trends for 2026 that inspire real emotion, deeper connection, and the imagination necessary to craft moments that truly resonate. The possibilities are limitless and deeply personal.

Visuals alone aren’t enough anymore. Brands are turning up the volume on other sensations to create work that feels, sounds, and almost smells alive.

It’s the hum of a neon sign, the texture of fabric on your fingers, the crisp fizz of an open can that triggers a memory of taking a sip. After years of staring at screens, people want to be transported. It’s no surprise that brands across all sectors are going deeper than what meets the eye to deliver multisensory experiences. When a brand message is stimulating and engaging, it’s impossible to ignore — and a whole lot of fun.

A recent study by The Drum showed 82% of global consumers expect as many of their senses to be engaged as possible when experiencing something new. This explains why experiential advertising and live events are especially effective at building brand reputation and loyalty. Even if people only give a brand three seconds of their time, they want to be surrounded and immersed in an experience that awakens something deeper and leaves a lasting imprint. Explore it for yourself by browsing the All the Feels collection, then try the All the Feels templates and discover the All the Feels moodboard.

We live in a time when people are seeking common ground, and shared emotions bring people together. Connectioneering celebrates this with storytelling that reminds us of what it means to be human.

It’s stories like the ones told by images that move us without saying a word — the moments of joy between friends, the collective awe when seeing something beautiful, the laughter that bridges generations. It’s imagery that stirs emotions. When brands capture that kind of authenticity, audiences stop seeing the marketing and start feeling the message at first glance.

When the work reflects how we feel, even briefly, it connects us to something universal. You can find examples of visuals that speak to emotional bonds by exploring our Connectioneering collection, testing out the Connectioneering templates, and browsing the Connectioneering moodboard.

Does the world feel strange? Then lean into it. Surreal Silliness is the joyful chaos of creativity unleashed and unhinged. It’s the wild side of imagination, where logic takes a back seat and humor takes the wheel.

The magic lies in not overthinking it. The best surreal work feels spontaneous, alive, and just self-aware enough to make you smile. That said, capturing the imagination isn’t always as easy as it sounds. If you need a few tips before jumping into Adobe Firefly or a partner model, read the new guide, Mastering text-to-image prompts, for how to generate on-brand AI.

AI is fueling this new wave of absurd, entertaining visuals that are dreamlike and funny, but oddly human. These moments of delightful weirdness slash through fatigue and stop the scroll in its tracks. Because when everything feels predictable, nothing stands out like the unexpected. Dive into the vibrant world of our Surreal Silliness collection, take some Surreal Silliness templates on a ride, and get inspired by our Surreal Silliness moodboard.

As global as our lives have become, rarely do we get to fully experience the beauty of other cultures — the colors, textures, and voices of specific places. Local Flavor is about rediscovering that authenticity.

This trend celebrates the beauty of everyday life around the world. From streets in Tokyo, Japan, to intricate fashion in Dhali, India, it shows cultures through its people’s own eyes, not through a distant lens. The imagery feels lived-in and spontaneous, not staged.

It’s also surprisingly accessible. Many generative AI products now include drag-and-drop localization kits to cater to language and visuals regionally. Brands that embrace Local Flavor understand the insatiable appetite for discovering and celebrating diverse cultural identities.

Collaborating with local creators or highlighting authentic regional moments brings an honesty that audiences instantly recognize, which also humanizes the brand hosting the content. When a constant stream of content can affect how we perceive reality, the most powerful creative work might simply tap into what’s true. Travel through our Local Flavor collection, try the Local Flavor templates, and discover our Local Flavor moodboard.

The canvas is wide open.

Creativity has always been evolving — but rarely this quickly or this purposefully. What we’re seeing now is a convergence of technology and humanity, where innovation meets authenticity. Some creators are building new worlds with AI. Others are telling real stories that move us. But at the center of it all are people leading what comes next.

Not every trend will fit your brand. The key is finding the ones that capture your voice, your audience, your values, and then leaning into it.

For a full picture of what’s next, get the Adobe 2026 Creative Trends report. Wherever you take it from here, we hope it helps you make something unforgettable.

Brenda Milis is the Principal of Consumer and Creative Insights at Adobe, where she leads research identifying content growing in commercial relevance and consumer appeal. Brenda’s work tracking developments in culture, technology, creativity, and the visual landscape supports content development and campaign marketing programs at Adobe.