Shutterstock’s 2021 Design Trends – Good Content Marketing in Action

Shutterstock knows design trends.

The stock image site is one of the most popular on the internet. More than six images are downloaded from its platform every second.

The company recently released its annual Creative Trends Report, which highlights “both global and local trends that will inspire creative expression and ingenuity in 2021.”

The report reveals creative trends based on popular search terms and the events of the last year, from COVID-19 and natural disasters to the SpaceX launch.

Shutterstock’s 2021 design trends lean into the abstract, with surreal faces, inkscapes and tie dye putting a more imperfect spin on digital art.

It’s worth checking out the whole report for more trends in photography, animation, footage and music.

Finding smart ways to incorporate these trends into existing brand guidelines is critical to maintaining a modern feel. As these trends gain traction, audiences absorb them and start to have positive associations with companies focused on innovative design.

Designing Thought Leadership

Shutterstock’s report is chock full of design insights. But the true marketing inspiration lies in the report itself.

With a branded report, Shutterstock gets to showcase its own design chops and elevate its role from provider to tastemaker. In a sea of stock image providers, the report sets Shutterstock apart. Shutterstock has enhanced its insights by including data on top searches and other customer insights.

Shutterstock isn’t the only company to use this tactic, but its annual report is well-executed and has the added authority of being published for the last decade. It’s good thought leadership in action.

Reports like these can be a great lead-gen opportunity. Most people are willing to share a little info in exchange for something that will help them do their jobs better. It’s a broad canvas that can be applied in any industry.