Look from Above: A Creative Trend for Spectacular Visual Stories

Searching for ways to grab your audience’s attention in a flash? Search no more, as we have something special for you. Welcome the Look from Above trend, which takes visual storytelling to a new level (in every sense) and leaves an everlasting impression.

It’s time to lift your customers above the mundane and invite them to see familiar things differently. From breathtaking drone shots to meticulous map-like illustrations—discover the power of elevated imagery to create captivating experiences.

Want to catch up on all the hottest aesthetics and concepts in visual communication? Check out our inspiring “Creative Trends 2025” project filled with insights from industry experts and content collections that will keep your campaigns on the cutting edge.

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Creative Design Trends 2025 trend 7

The power of perspective: elevated imagery dominates visual storytelling in 2025

Imagine a mesmerizing bird’s-eye shot of a mountain landscape, an aerial view of an urban jungle, or a striking Super Bowl scene captured from a drone. This stunning aerial imagery instantly hypnotizes and takes your breath away. There is something irresistibly appealing and fascinating about images that invite us to go beyond usual perception and see a more comprehensive picture of the world, as if we were Olympic gods.

The power of aerial images is more than just spectacular. In a world where everything seems to be known and it’s rare to spot something unfamiliar, the perspective from above offers a fresh experience. That’s why even things that look rather ordinary from the ground can reveal themselves in a completely new and exciting way from the air.

Elevated imagery not only captivates viewers, but also resonates deeply with their strive for a more conscious perception. Modern audiences are very selective about visual content. Just a flashy picture is not enough to really engage them. Consumers are looking for authenticity, meaning, and more conteхt. And this is where elevated imagery comes in!

Why elevated imagery is taking over

Eye-popping drone photos, footage shot from the air, and flat lays are nothing new. So why is elevated imagery so popular now? It’s because the Look from Above offers a strong cocktail of fresh perspectives, thrilling experiences, and immersive stories that hardly anyone can resist.

✅ Transparency and openness

A view from above allows spectators to see a subject with unmatched clarity and depth without any distractions. Whether it’s an overhead view of a product or behind-the-scenes shots for brand storytelling, users can observe everything in detail, which builds trust.

✅ Contextual storytelling

With elevated imagery, you can provide a full-picture narrative. Just think of a campaign that shows relationships between a product and lifestyle. A broader perspective brings context that tells stories with no words and engages on a more personal level.

✅ Emotional appeal

Observing the world from above is an experience that brings on a host of emotions, from wonder and excitement to uplift and inspiration. The opportunity to see things that were previously out of reach sparks curiosity and a desire to explore everything thoroughly, whether it’s a jaw-dropping drone shot of a city landscape or a styled top-down image.

✅ Creative versatility

Another absolute advantage of elevated imagery is that it fits perfectly into any style. You can create a minimalist flat lay for a product ad or dramatic aerial storytelling for a video campaign. Moreover, the trend is applicable to brands from literally all industries, from construction and agriculture to fashion and events.

✅ Technological accessibility

Today, thanks to the rapid development and reduced cost of technology, elevated imagery is more accessible than ever. We mean both the spread of consumer drones and innovative tools like the AI Image Generator that produces unique visuals from text prompts in seconds. With technology democratizing, even small businesses can maintain trendy visual communication without much expense.

Get inspired and find ready-to-use images for your next eye-catching campaigns in the Look from Above thematic collection.

Browse the Look from Above Collection

How to upgrade communication with the Look from Above trend

1. Create ambient top shots and flat lays

Remember when Instagram and Pinterest feeds were filled with perfectly arranged flat lays? Top-down shots are making a big comeback as a powerful technique of visual storytelling. Use them to showcase your product in the most captivating way possible and convey the right mood.

Start with the central theme and the hero product. Then, include props to highlight the key element and create a cohesive story. Be sure not to clutter the composition so the product doesn’t get lost. Still, feel free to play with textures and colors to add visual interest. You can take a different approach and fill the entire frame with only products, arranging them in a catchy pattern or symbol as Nike did.

patagonia-provisions

Image source: Patagonia Provisions website

2. Try striking aerial and drone photography

Aerial photography thrills viewers and evokes emotions in a way that traditional shots from the ground cannot. It’s a proven way to stand out, whether you’re working on a banner, print ad, or website hero image. Think about a dynamic brand video shot in a cinematic style—it will leave no one indifferent.

Want to boost social media engagement? Use breathtaking aerial footage in Reels and TikTok to make your content more memorable to users. Create dynamic clips and experiment with slow-motion or hyper-lapse drone videos. Check out how to showcase your products in high-impact aerial shots using the examples of Porsche and Columbia.

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Допис, поширений Porsche (@porsche)

3. Bring new perspectives to graphic design

Although the Look from Above trend manifests itself mainly through photos and videos, it also has a place in graphic design and UI. From isometric illustrations in website layouts to flat-lay-styled elements in app design—elevated compositions create depth and visual hierarchy, guiding viewers through content.

If you’re working on a presentation or infographic, consider offering your audience a fresh perspective from above. An overhead view is particularly helpful when you aim to illustrate complex concepts with many elements in an easy-to-understand way and keep your viewers captivated. The Expedia report is an excellent example of such an approach.

4. Imitate aerial views with 3D and AI

3D and AI tools offer another way to implement the trendy creative concept in brand communication. With the AI Image Generator, you can quickly create hyperrealistic or dreamlike aerial compositions for highly detailed visualizations or immersive gaming experiences. Want to maximize user engagement? Offer your audience top-down interactive content such as puzzles or hidden-object challenges.

Find inspiration in creative projects of well-known brands. For instance, look at Dolce & Gabbana’s digital campaign dedicated to their latest launch. The immersive 3D-mapped design that blends dimensional visuals with flat illustrations wows and drives users to explore new environments. Such a mixed-media approach is perfect for layered storytelling.

5. Share compelling elevated stories

One of the most fascinating features of elevated imagery is its ability to convey a sense of scale and magnificence. You can not only amuse your audiences with mesmerizing views, but also bring them into the atmosphere of a bustling city, an exciting event, or a serene nature scene. Use this technique to showcase your brand’s personality and values.

Let your audience see who’s driving your brand by sharing behind-the-scenes shots from a top angle. Ready to take your visual stories a step further? Try creating exciting elevated videos with multiple subject lines, like Jacquemus did with the help of an iPhone.

To sum up

In the constant search for new ways to effectively engage audiences, you don’t have to reinvent the wheel. Sometimes, it’s enough to just offer a new angle. This is exactly what our creative trend Look from Above is about.

By integrating elevated imagery in visual communication, brands and creators can enhance transparency and trust, maximize user engagement, and take storytelling to the next level. Whether through drone footage, flat lays, high-angle POVs, or AI-generated views—Look from Above offers impactful and memorable experiences that make a difference. So get ready to elevate your branding in 2025 and discover other must-try creative trends for stand-out campaigns.

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