Top Visual Trends for 2017

3 min readDec 6, 2016

Every year, some visual trends emerge while others disappear. At Depositphotos, we analysed our data to bring you the trends that are going to define visual culture in 2017. All of them are fresh, unexpected and exciting trends that have deserved their place in the spotlight.

To further explore the implications of the trends, we spoke to industry professionals to see what they have to say about the trends they expect to emerge. Here’s a sneak preview to our in-depth research and predictions:

1. Video domination

The value of video content is going to increase drastically. This is partially due to the fact that YouTube has become the third most visited website in the world and the second most popular search engine. Video is booming as companies look for ways to integrate business into their stories.

2. Emotions and movement

We’re seeing a definite shift in the market towards more candid, authentic and close-to-life images and photographs. This is a pivoting point for stock photography where photographs of posing, smiling and staged events are simply losing their popularity.

3. Connected world

The future of technology is already here. In the past, we’ve seen lots of vague representations of AI and VR. Today, photographers are more concerned with documenting our interactions with technologies, the influence of technologies in our lives and how it changes our daily lives.

4. Bold and bright still life

Eye catching, bold photographs of the colorful moments in everyday life are extremely trendy. We’re seeing a rise in demand for simplified compositions with a focus on the bold and the bright. From patterns to sceneries, it’s a trend that translates an artistic vibe.