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Nano Banana emerged as one of the most widely used AI image tools in 2025, helping users experiment creatively without relying on traditional design software. Through simple text prompts, the platform enabled people to edit, reimagine and restore images with minimal technical effort. Its growing popularity reflected a broader shift towards prompt-led visual creation, allowing everyday users to achieve results that once required professional tools. Over the year, several distinct trends stood out in how people used Nano Banana to edit and transform images.
General edits:
One of the most common trends involved general photo edits becoming routine, with users relying on Nano Banana for everyday fixes such as adjusting lighting, switching scenes from day to night, correcting exposure issues and adding realistic shadows. These edits were carried out through basic text instructions, reducing dependence on complex photo-editing software and making image correction faster and more accessible.
3D figurines:
Figurine-style transformations also went mainstream, with users converting photos of people, pets or objects into realistic miniature 3D-style figurines. These were often placed digitally on desks, shelves or gift boxes, with the AI accurately recreating textures and proportions, making the outputs resemble physical collectibles rather than stylised digital art.
Photos with self:
Another widely shared trend saw users editing photos with their younger selves by blending childhood images with current photographs. People used Nano Banana to generate scenes where they appeared hugging or standing alongside their younger versions, with prompts focused on maintaining facial consistency and creating emotionally believable moments.
Comics:
Nano Banana also became a tool for visual storytelling, particularly in the creation of comics and short visual narratives. Users generated multi-panel comic strips from single prompts, complete with characters, expressions and narrative flow, demonstrating how image models could support storytelling without the need for drawing skills or specialised design software.
Paintings:
Artistic style transformations gained traction as users generated watercolour paintings, sketches and stylised illustrations by describing moods, textures and colour palettes. Nano Banana translated photos or ideas into finished artworks, blurring the line between photo editing and digital illustration and replacing manual illustration processes for many users.
Hair and fashion experimentation:
Hairstyle and fashion experimentation emerged as a practical use case, with people testing new haircuts, hair colours and outfits without making physical changes. Users visualised bangs, blonde hair or themed clothing while the AI preserved facial accuracy, making it useful for personal style decisions.
Old photo restoration:
Old photo restoration rounded out the key trends of 2025, with users asking Nano Banana to remove scratches, sharpen blurred faces and add realistic colour to black-and-white images. This made professional-style photo restoration accessible to everyday users and helped preserve personal and family memories through AI-assisted enhancement.
From purpose-driven work and narrative-rich brand films to AI-enabled ideas and creator-led collaborations, the awards reflect the full spectrum of modern creativity.
Read MoreLooking ahead to the close of 2025 and into 2026, Sorrell sees technology platforms as the clear winners. He described them as “nation states in their own right”, with market capitalisations that exceed the GDPs of many countries.