Adobe Stock data reveals bestselling stock imagery of 2016

As 2016 draws to a close, new data from Adobe Stock reveals the top five most downloaded images across the UK over the course of the year.

From bright blue skies to different takes on emojis, take a look at the key imagery that creatives across the UK were licensing and including in their design work this year.

5) Blue sky thinking: Symbolising freedom, inspiration and openness, including shots of sunny blue skies in your work is a great way to convey creativity and innovation. This simple yet effective shot was the fifth most downloaded image on Adobe Stock in the UK this year.

4) This means business: A universal business gesture for greeting colleagues and closing those all-important deals, this shot of people sitting around a table shaking hands symbolises progress and a productive work environment.

3) One Direction: An effective way of visualising different routes or paths to take when approaching problem solving is using road signs. So it perhaps comes as no surprise that this image was the third most downloaded on Adobe Stock this year.

2) Healthy living: Our growing obsession with health and wellbeing looks as though it’s here to stay if this stunning shot of bitesize portions of fruit and veg is anything to go by. As the second most downloaded image of 2016, it suggests creatives were craving Instagram-style shots of immaculately presented food in their work this year.

1) Universally Speaking: 2016 was a big year on the emoji scene. Only last month, Kanye West was quoted saying they are the future of communication. Universally understood and a great way to simplify the user experience in your design work, it’s no surprise that this pack of 280 illustrated icons took the crown for the most downloaded image on Adobe Stock this year.

If you’re on the lookout for the perfect creative asset for your next project, with Adobe Stock, it’s possible to search for over 60 million photos, illustrations and vectors, as well as 2 million HD and 4K videos from directly within your Creative Cloud apps, helping creatives to spend less time hunting and more time creating.