Summer of Love: Adobe Stock Data Reveals Surge in Downloads of Hippie Imagery

Born in San Francisco during the summer of 1967, the Summer of Love was a social movement which saw hundreds of thousands of young hippies unite to celebrate peace, love and harmony across the globe.

The summer of 1967 also saw the release of the critically acclaimed Beatles album “Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band”. The album was praised around the world for its innovations in music, songwriting and graphic design, and in the years that followed, psychedelic art soared in popularity, with artists including Andy Warhol and Yayoi Kusama experimenting with bright colours, ‘flower power’ florals, 70’s flared type and eye-catching illusions.

Fifty years later, and these themes of love and peace are still very pertinent around the world. Global data from Adobe Stock reveals that in the last six months alone, the number of licensed images containing the keyword “love” soared by 83%, while downloads for “peace” and “flower power” related imagery soared by 55% and 16% respectively.

To celebrate the 50th anniversary of the summer of love, Adobe commissioned illustrator Mariana Rodrigues to create a piece of artwork that pays homage to the summer of love, using assets from Adobe Stock.

Originally from Portugal, Mariana studied communication design at ESAD College of Art and Design Matosinhos, and worked as a graphic designer before becoming a full-time illustrator in London, creating amazing work for the likes of Bombay Sapphire, Vogue Japan and Original Source.

With a flair for intricate patterns and symmetry, Mariana’s signature style is based on deconstructing things — often nature — and reassembling them into a new, imaginary whole. Her summer of love inspired creation epitomises this, centred around a colourful, intricate peace sign.

Are you incorporating summer of love inspired imagery in your latest design projects? Drop us a line in the comment section below.