Design is evolving faster than ever, powered by open source projects that fuse creativity with cutting-edge technology. In 2025, designers and developers are gravitating towards tools that not only make their workflow smoother but also push the boundaries of what’s possible online. Let’s dive into five trending open source projects making waves in design this year.
1. AI-Powered Web Builders and Design Tools Imagine having an assistant that can draft your web page layouts, rewrite your copy in different tones, or even integrate your Figma designs automatically. Tools like Framer, an AI-driven CMS and web builder, are doing just that. Its AI features help designers generate localised content and refresh sites effortlessly, turning hours of laborious coding into minutes. This isn’t just about speed; it’s about freeing creative energy for bigger ideas.
Similarly, Wix Studio leverages AI to build websites from scratch with no code, offering hundreds of templates and SEO analytics right at your fingertips. And then there’s Canva, the beloved drag-and-drop platform, which continues to innovate with real-time collaboration and an ever-expanding library of premium stock photos and design elements. These tools democratize design, placing powerful capabilities in the hands of amateurs and pros alike.
2. Interactive 3D Web Elements Websites are no longer flat canvases but vibrant, interactive spaces. Thanks to advances in technology and no-code platforms, creating 3D visuals has never been easier or more accessible. Projects are emerging that help designers add immersive 3D tilt, mouse effects, and even transform tools that breathe life into products or stories online.
Think of it like turning your typical e-commerce site into a virtual showroom where customers can rotate and explore items in real time or sweeping 3D storytelling experiences on landing pages. This trend marries the excitement of gaming visuals with practical design, captivating users in entirely new ways.
3. Scrapbook-Style Web Design For those craving charm and personality, the scrapbook-style design trend offers a playful, hand-crafted alternative to the often cold, grid-heavy minimalism dominating the web. This approach layers textures, doodles, washi tape effects, stickers, and asymmetrical layouts to mimic the feel of a physical scrapbook or moodboard.
This style resonates with brands and creators wanting to infuse authenticity and warmth into digital experiences. Open source projects and tools have embraced this trend by offering intuitive transform features and widgets that allow designers to create interactive hotspots or flipping effects reminiscent of real paper pages.
4. AI Agent Frameworks for Creative Collaboration Behind the scenes, open source AI agents are revolutionizing how design teams collaborate and automate tasks. Platforms like LangChain and AutoGen create virtual teams that help developers and designers break down projects into manageable pieces, assign roles to AI agents, and streamline complex workflows.
This means less tedious management and more focus on creative problem solving, as AI takes care of repetitive or research-heavy components. These frameworks bring a glimpse of tomorrow’s hybrid human-AI design studios where ideas flow faster and execution feels seamless.
5. Open Source 3D CAD Tools for Designers 3D design isn’t limited to web experiences but extends to computer-aided design (CAD) for product design and prototyping. Open source projects like Chili3D are rising in popularity, providing browser-based CAD solutions that break down barriers of expensive software or steep learning curves.
By hosting such tools openly, communities foster collaboration while empowering creators to visualize complex models from anywhere. Designers can iterate quickly, share progress, and merge engineering precision with artistic freedom.
These five open source projects and trends highlight how design in 2025 is a symphony of creative expression and technology innovation. Whether you’re a freelancer looking for AI-assisted tools or part of a startup crafting immersive web experiences, these projects offer real-world solutions that push design beyond traditional limits.
What’s exciting is that they’re not just about flashy tech—each project tells a story of making design more accessible, more human, and more responsive to cultural shifts. The future of design is here, and it’s powered by open source communities working smarter and dreaming bigger.
So next time you fire up your favorite design tool or brainstorm your website’s next look, remember: these trending projects are quietly reshaping how we create, collaborate, and connect online.
Which one will you explore or contribute to first?
References:
- https://www.upgrad.com/blog/open-source-projects-for-c/
- https://tecxity.com/top-open-source-projects-using-agentic-ai-in-2025/
- https://elementor.com/blog/2025-web-design-trends-best-practices/
- https://www.digital4design.com/blog/ai-tools-for-web-development-2025/
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BmNFGrY8Fp4
- https://svs.gsfc.nasa.gov
- https://www.outrightcrm.com/blog/web-design-tools/
- https://www.lattc.edu/sites/lattc.edu/files/2025-06/LAC_CAMERA%20Fall%202025%20Schedule%20of%20Classes%2006%2024%202025.pdf