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Shutterstock users from around the world search for images, videos, and music tracks every day—by the millions. The keywords they use allow us to uncover what trends are on the horizon and will define creativity in 2021.

DESIGN

Trends

Free-flowing inkspaces, one-of-a-kind tie dye patterns, and twisting, surreal line portraiture show the embrace of individuality—and the imperfection—in digital art. Hang loose with this misfit crowd of textures, backgrounds, and illustrations.

Design Trends

Inkscapes

Currents of translucent hues, snaking metallic swirls, and foamy sprays of color shape the landscape of these free-flowing textures. The marbling techniques at play leave room for beautiful imperfections amidst the chaos.

Make a move

Alcohol ink 381%
Fluid art 247%
Kintsugi 140%
Liquid marble New search term

Astonishingly adaptable—it's not set in stone, it's set in motion.

Stir things up

Design

Design Trends

Tie Dye

The DIY breakout hit of at-home fashion is now claiming new territory in digital design. Tie dye patterns are an instant pick-me-up of '70s nostalgia with a distinctive flair. With hundreds of dyeing techniques available, this trend is the perfect foundation for your unique point of view.

Get groovy

Pastel tie dye 2,404%
Tie dye 287%
Shibori pattern 250%
Pastel swirl New search term

Once seen as an emblem of camp culture, tie dye is making its way toward the mainstream as a staple of creative campaigns.

Get stylin'

PHOTO GRAPHY

Trends

Photographers, more and more, are ditching the studio and focusing their lenses on a new scenario: reality. Out with the staged and in with the real—we're talking real people, real situations, real life.

Photography Trends

Inner Life

We're rife with information overload, and it's compelled many of us to shift towards more tangible things—like ourselves. This makes for a new breed of lifestyle photography capturing the moments we spend on hobbies, play, and self-care.

Capture the moment Images

Self-care 177%
Home hobbies 102%
The arts New search term

Visual storytelling that examines a wide spectrum of the human experience.

Look inward Images

Footage Trends

Eccentric Animation

As the software behind VFX and animation gets more advanced, artists are developing unique approaches, giving content creators new ways to express their ideas. We've seen a rise in searches for playful animation styles and motion graphics in a time when new live action footage is harder to come by.

Toy around

Whimsical animation 13,572%
Liquid abstract New search term

FOOTAGE

Animation lands on a light note, as new tech allows for some seriously fun design breakthroughs.

Play on

FOOTAGE

Footage Trends

The Sublime

We see an increase in searches for intense and intimidating scenes in nature. Waves crashing on cliffs, dunes bathed in sunlight, mountains shrouded in fog—these clips jolt viewers awake with the capacity to transport them elsewhere.

Be amazed

Mountain aerials 1,396%
Stormy beach 480%
Cliffs aerials 450%
Dunes 394%

B-Roll has always been a stock specialty, but the in-between moments are primed for something bigger.

Adventure awaits

MUSIC

Trends

Uplifting music always holds a special place in creative projects, but looking with guarded optimism towards the year ahead, it's climbing the ranks faster than ever.

MUSIC

Music Trends

Strings

A sweeping strings section can make a song float on air. With tracks that feature string instruments seeing an uptick, there's a clear trend towards music that moves people. Both classic and modern, these tracks elevate and lift our spirits.

Get swept away

Shelter From the Rain

Elliot Middleton
Sentimental Moment

Artlss
Beyond the Star

LATG Music

MUSIC

Music Trends

Uplifting & Playful

The "confident" genre wins another year, but we are seeing some interesting changes this time around. We're moving full speed ahead to the sounds of brisk BPM, plucky instruments, and sweeping crescendos. It's playful, it's uplifting, and it's here to inspire all the feels.

Hear happiness

All Summer Long

Black Rhomb
Swing Me the Groove

Pavlo Butorin
Happy Colors

Ricky Bombino

Trend

TO WATCH

2020 was questionable. And now we're bravely seeking out information, demanding some form of greater understanding.

Trend To Watch

The Unexplored

When the answer to your every question is at your fingertips, what's left to discover? A lot, it turns out. Creatives are on the hunt for something new, from wonders in the natural world to the uncharted phenomena of our mind-body connection.

Images Footage Music

Unknown.

Undiscovered.

Unbelievable.

KEYWORDS

Biodiversity 70.45%

Just when we think we have our world figured out, nature finds a way to surprise us. And while concerns about our climate and the ongoing impact of humanity on our ecosystem continue, there's still a lot of wonder to be found in the interconnectedness of our ecosphere.

Information overload New search term

We've gone digital, and with news and messaging being 24/7, we've hit our max capacity for processing. Are we alone in feeling this way? How can we cope better?

Mind and body New search term

We're starting to realize that the relationship between our mental and physical health is much closer than we'd originally thought. This year, we're turning to tech for techniques that promote balance.

Space HDRI 92%

We've been staring at the night sky and dreamimg since time immemorial. Suddenly, the notion of exploring beyond our horizons seems less science fiction, and more a fact of life. Whether we're alone or not out there is still anyone's guess, but in times of isolation, it's comforting to imagine.

Experience a collection inspired by the creatively curious.

GLOBAL

Trends

Big data means big possibilities. We've collected the top search terms from 26 countries around the world to show you what 2021 will look like both near and far.