The ‘90s are back
Kids born in the ‘90s are suddenly major consumers. And like their parents who fixated on ‘60s nostalgia, ‘90s kids love the era they were born in. That means Polaroid-style images, color, and candid shots will all be big.
Emotions and movement
We’re all tired of the insincerity of staged stock photos. Over the next year, honest, candid shots of real life—with all its mishaps and randomness—will grow in popularity. When you need to make a connection, go for a shot that’s a little less polished.
Connected World
Tech is, literally, everywhere. The genie’s out of the bottle and it’s only going to get stronger. From wearables to VR, brands will want to ride the wave of technological innovation, and featuring tech in your imagery is a great way to reinforce that message.
Challenging stereotypes
2016 lead to a few political surprises, but despite the fact that society may seem to have taken a step backwards, the passion for diversity, equality, and freedom will remain strong in 2017. More diverse stock photography, will shine a light of the real-world diversity in communities.
Video is taking over
You may not have noticed, but video is everywhere. According to Syndacast, by 2017, 74% of all web content will be video. You can shoot your own, but video is a lot more expensive to produce than still images; stock video will be huge in 2017.
Looking to the stars
OK, so life on earth has taken a decidedly backwards step. Maybe that’s why we’re all looking out to the heavens. In the 2nd half of 2016 Depositphotos noticed a huge interest in space photography. We expect that trend to continue into 2017 as photographers learn to capture the best views of the galaxy planet earth has to offer.
Colorful still lifes
It all started with Instagram: colorful snapshots of life, from food to toys. The best thing about this kind of shot is that it’s super flexible. You can use it for almost anything, and they’re great for responsive design because they crop easily.
Moody landscapes
We don’t seem to be able to get enough of moody, minimal photos. According to Depositphotos they’ve been trending for a couple of years, and the next 12 months look like focusing on landscape. Could it all be thanks to Nordic Noir?
Drone photography
Technology always influences art, and photography is no different. Once in a while, a technology comes along that revolutionises an artform, and for photography in 2017, that means Drones. Drones gives photographers a unique ability to take shots from hitherto impossible angles. The newness is exciting to look at, and filled with possibilities.
Minimal patterns and textures
Simple shots of blocks of color, with intriguing textures will be huge in 2017. The combination of real-world and flat design aesthetic will be irresistible to designers, and is sure to be a key trend over the next 12 months.
Generation Z
Technology combined with young people is particularly powerful. Generation Z grew up with tech, and it’s an integral part of their lives. Look for shots of tech fitting in naturally in 2017.
Craft
As technology marches on, we’ll also see a greater appreciation of handmade products and craft-based products. Expect to see a new admiration for traditional products, and a focus on the associated images, in 2017.
WDD Staff
WDD staff are proud to be able to bring you this daily blog about web design and development. If there's something you think we should be talking about let us know @DesignerDepot.
Read Next
3 Essential Design Trends, December 2023
While we love the holidays, too much of a seasonal theme can get overwhelming. Thankfully, these design trends strike a…
10 Easy Ways to Make Money as a Web Designer
When you’re a web designer, the logical way to make money is designing websites; you can apply for a job at an agency,…
By Louise North
The 10 Most Hated Fonts of All Time
Remember when Comic Sans wasn’t the butt of the jokes? Long for the days when we actually enjoyed using the Impact…
15 Best New Fonts, November 2023
2023 is almost over, and the new fonts are still coming thick and fast. This month, we’ve found some awesome variable…
By Ben Moss
Old School Web Techniques Best Forgotten
When the web first entered the public consciousness back in the 90s, it was primarily text-based with minimal design…
By Simon Sterne
20 Best New Websites, November 2023
As the nights draw in for the Northern hemisphere, what better way to brighten your day than by soaking up some design…
30 Amazing Chrome Extensions for Designers and Developers
Searching for a tool to make cross-platform design a breeze? Desperate for an extension that helps you figure out the…
By Robert Reeve
Exciting New Tools for Designers, November 2023
We’ve got a mix of handy image helpers, useful design assets, and clever productivity tools, amongst other treats. Some…
The Dangers of Doomscrolling for Designers and How to Break Free
As a creative professional, navigating the digital realm is second nature to you. It’s normal to follow an endless…
By Louise North
From Image Adjustments to AI: Photoshop Through the Years
Remember when Merriam-Webster added Photoshop to the dictionary back in 2008? Want to learn how AI is changing design…
By Max Walton
3 Essential Design Trends, November 2023
In the season of giving thanks, we often think of comfort and tradition. These are common themes with each of our three…
30 Obsolete Technologies that will Perplex Post-2000s Kids
Remember the screech of dial-up internet? Hold fond memories of arcade machines? In this list, we’re condensing down 30…