The art department’s notable projects in 2025 covered a range of topics, including the DOGE phenomenon, narratives of the Vietnam War, online privacy challenges for trans individuals, and surveillance networks targeting Iranian military dissidents. Other creative endeavors involved constructing a kaleidoscope to highlight products from gift guides, dispatching an illustrator to capture live courtroom scenes of Luigi Mangione supporters, and delving into the complexities of News Daddy to illustrate how college students consume news. This retrospective examines some of the year’s artistic contributions.
Wikipedia is resilient because it is boring
Wikipedia stands as a reliable institution, maintained by its dispute resolution processes and a dedicated global community of editors. The visual design for this piece drew inspiration from vintage encyclopedias, neoclassical architecture, and DK children’s books, which feature a stream-of-consciousness layout reminiscent of Wikipedia’s hyperlink pathways, potentially leading to unexpected pages like that for Grouvellinus leonardodicaprioi.
American War
Commemorating the 50-year anniversary of the fall of Saigon, a split-screen hub was designed to compile related stories, highlighting the diverse narratives and myths surrounding the Vietnam War. Engineer Graham MacAree developed the interactive elements, complemented by illustrations from Tran Nguyen.
The future of being trans on the internet
Addressing the increasing challenges faced by trans individuals, the design for this package aimed to convey potential otherworldly and unforeseen futures, balancing hope and pessimism. The future remains uncertain, but trans people are expected to play a crucial role in shaping it positively. Taehee Yoonseul contributed a looping background animation, and Sasha Cherepanov’s font, Transgender Grotesk, was licensed for the design.
The long wait for a glimpse of Luigi
Molly Crabapple was commissioned to create art for Luigi Mangione’s pretrial hearing. Despite the chaotic nature of this trial installment and uncertainty about courtroom access, Crabapple utilized the waiting period to sketch numerous Mangione supporters and onlookers in the courthouse hallway.
How the creator economy destroyed the internet
For a series exploring the pervasive influence of the creator economy online, a vibrant and dynamic visual scheme was developed for each feature, with a central hub designed to evoke the scrolling experience of TikTok. Animated collages, each crafted by a different artist, provided distinct visual identities for individual stories while maintaining a cohesive overall aesthetic.
The Verge 2025 gift guides
To achieve a unique in-camera kaleidoscope effect for the annual gift guides, a mirrored structure was constructed and placed atop a large television. Selected items were arranged within the mirrored triangle, with photography capturing the effect while creative backgrounds were developed.
Wandering Souls
Matt Huynh’s compelling comic, “Wandering Souls,” explores a lesser-known US military psychological operation that used tape recordings of “ghosts” to intimidate Viet Cong soldiers. The comic combines historical insight with a powerful personal narrative, featuring emotive brushwork and strong storytelling.
The 100 day inferno
An illustration by Ariel Davis depicted Elon Musk, Donald Trump, and JD Vance as a DOGE Cerberus, effectively capturing the apocalyptic and absurd atmosphere of Trump’s initial 100 days in office.
The wild plots of Iranian dissident hunters
Jovana Mugosa created crime noir illustrations for a story detailing how a former Iranian military officer was targeted by kidnappers hired by the Iranian government. The artwork, featuring dark olive green and lavender hues with a grainy texture, immerses the viewer in the narrative’s intense predator-versus-prey dynamic.
The fantasy of playing Final Fantasy
Ian Woods crafted collaged portraits for an essay exploring fatherhood through the lens of Final Fantasy. The handmade aesthetic and organic shapes, incorporating game art, effectively frame the subjects and illustrate the interplay between real life and gaming.
The women who made America’s microchips and the children who paid for it
Early Silicon Valley fabrication factory workers endured hazardous conditions that severely impacted their health and, in many instances, their children’s lives. This project featured photographs of two women advocating for accountability from these companies, sharing their stories as a cautionary tale for future chip manufacturing, as detailed in Justine Calma’s report.
The rise of the infinite fringe
The concept of the “infinite fringe” proved challenging to articulate verbally, but the accompanying artwork effectively visualized it: a mesmerizing kaleidoscope of racist conspiracy memes that captivates viewers, drawing them into its content.
Is Elon Musk really getting the hell out of DOGE?
The headline and accompanying image for this piece were particularly impactful.
At the Bitcoin Conference, the Republicans were for sale
Benny Douet’s image for this story effectively captured the unusual dynamic between JD Vance and Mark Zuckerberg at the year’s Bitcoin Conference.
