The visual language for a world at home: Unsplash April 2020 Insights Report
When COVID-19 hit, we started to see a new visual language develop.
When connecting in person was not possible, people connected through creativity.
Search topics with the most growth
Unsplash traffic has grown over 40% in the last month to 18 billion image views and 100 million image downloads. We’ve received more image submissions than any other time in our history.
We’re seeing a general increase across the entire site along with specific topics (Work From Home) seeing surges in interest.
Excluding COVID-19 related topics, here’s the topics with the most growth:
People are searching for these images to communicate and understand our new normal.
At Home is the new authentic
- At Home is the new authentic. People are looking for visuals to tell stories around beauty, cleanliness, cook, workout, play, create, and happiness. But what’s different now is they are looking for visuals that show them at home.
- People are looking for more imagery around self-development, inspiration, self-care and creative expression.
- A new normal for cleanliness. We’re seeing significant increases in images to help communicate hygiene and cleanliness. COVID-19 may have ushered in a new era for how we think about cleanliness as a society.
- Unsplash: the source for backgrounds. Unsplash became one of the main sources for Zoom backgrounds (+706%), iPhone, desktop wallpapers. When you’re looking at the same walls, screens become a way to “get outside.”
- With schools and creation transitioning online, there’s never been more young creators accessing Unsplash.
- Solving image production. Brands are working with Unsplash contributors to create images that reflect our new reality by commissioning Unsplash photographers on shoots they can do from home or commissioning existing Unsplash photography.
- Campaign highlight. Last week, Microsoft launched an Unsplash campaign providing images around studying and creativity. Microsoft commissioned Unsplash photographers who shot all the images from home. Surface / Windows
A new visual language for Working From Home
Much of the work from home imagery previously available for use is not a reflection of our current situation. We’ve seen a new kind of image that shows what’s it’s really like to work from home when everyone is home — burnt toast, kids, pets, and all.
It’s a challenging time. As humans, we can’t predict the future but it’s times like these where we shine by leaning on our most unique trait — creativity.
Stay safe,
