How Unsplash Started and Changed Web Design
TL;DR:
- Unsplash launched in 2013 as a side project by Mikael Cho and his team at Crew, a Montreal creative agency
- Started with just 10 photos and grew into the largest free stock photo platform
- Revolutionised web design by making high-quality images accessible without licensing fees
- Became essential for designers who needed professional photos without the budget for stock photography
- Now hosts millions of images used across websites worldwide
Back in 2013, finding decent free images for websites was a nightmare. You'd either pay hefty fees for stock photos or settle for grainy, amateur shots that made your site look unprofessional.
That's when Mikael Cho and his colleagues at Crew, a creative agency in Montreal, decided to fix this problem. They started Unsplash as a simple side project, launching with just 10 high-resolution photos they'd taken themselves.
The Problem Unsplash Solved
Before Unsplash, web designers faced a constant dilemma. Professional stock photos cost hundreds of pounds, especially for commercial use. Free alternatives were either terrible quality or came with complicated licensing restrictions that could land you in legal trouble.
Crew experienced this frustration firsthand when working on client projects. They'd spend hours searching for decent images, often settling for mediocre photos that didn't match their design vision.
From Side Project to Game Changer
What started as 10 photos shared on a simple webpage quickly gained traction. The original Unsplash photos were downloaded 25,000 times in the first month. Word spread through design communities, and photographers started submitting their own work.
By 2014, Unsplash had become too big for Crew to handle as a side project. The platform was processing millions of downloads and attracting professional photographers who wanted to share their work with a global audience.
How Unsplash Changed Web Design
Unsplash didn't just provide free photos. It fundamentally changed how designers approach visual content. Before 2013, many websites used the same recycled stock photos because affordable options were limited. Unsplash introduced variety and quality that was previously only available through expensive licensing deals.
The platform also popularised the concept of "lifestyle" photography in web design. Instead of corporate headshots and staged business scenarios, websites started featuring authentic moments and natural settings that felt more relatable to users.
The Business Model Behind Free Photos
You might wonder how Unsplash makes money by giving away photos for free. The platform uses several revenue streams:
- Unsplash for Brands allows companies to upload photos and track their usage
- Premium partnerships with design tools and platforms
- Data insights about trending visual content
- Enterprise solutions for large organisations
This model works because it creates value for everyone involved. Photographers get exposure, designers get free resources, and businesses get authentic visual content.
Impact on Modern Web Design
Today, Unsplash hosts over 4 million photos and serves billions of views annually. Its influence extends beyond just providing images. The platform has shaped design trends, with certain photography styles becoming synonymous with modern web design.
The "Unsplash aesthetic" – clean, bright, and minimalist photography – has become a hallmark of contemporary websites. This consistency helps maintain professional standards across the web, even for projects with minimal budgets.
FAQs
Can I use Unsplash images on commercial websites without attribution?
Yes, all Unsplash images are free for commercial use with no attribution required, though crediting photographers is appreciated.
Are there any size or download limits on Unsplash?
No, you can download images in their full resolution without creating an account, though signing up helps track your downloads.
Can I edit Unsplash photos for my website?
Absolutely. You can crop, filter, and modify Unsplash images to fit your design needs.
What happens if an image gets removed from Unsplash after I've used it?
Once downloaded, you can continue using the image even if it's later removed from the platform, as long as you downloaded it legally.
Jargon Buster
Stock photography – Professional photos licensed for specific uses, traditionally expensive and restrictive
Commercial use – Using images for business purposes, including websites that generate revenue
Attribution – Crediting the original photographer or source of an image
Resolution – The quality and size of an image, measured in pixels
Licensing – Legal terms that govern how you can use copyrighted material
Wrap-up
Unsplash transformed web design by democratising access to professional photography. What began as a Montreal creative agency's side project became the solution to one of design's most persistent problems: finding quality images without breaking the budget.
The platform's success lies in creating a win-win situation for everyone involved. Photographers gain exposure, designers access professional images, and websites look better as a result. This simple concept has influenced millions of websites and changed expectations about what free resources can achieve.
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