VisualGPS Creative Trends Technology Tokyo Create Event: Living With Technology

Getty Images' VisualGPS research has shown our customer searches on and related to technology have significantly increased over the last five years, making it the number one searched for topic by brands. This makes technology related visuals being one of our most high in demand.

With this in mind, we asked 13 Japanese creators a simple question: How do you use technology in your daily life? Their answers ranged from asking AI quick questions, to tracking healthcare through apps, to communicating with smart speakers and even using facial recognition to enter their homes. With such varied insights, we set a goal to update existing content and represent how people genuinely live and work with technology today, in a positive and authentic way.

We found the perfect location: A modern space in a quiet Tokyo laneway, designed to resemble both a home and a workspace, filled with natural light and minimal, subtle settings. Across three floors, and available for two days, our 13 creators (ranging from experienced to new talent) gathered for the project.

Our Tokyo Create by Getty Images event began with presentations from our Creative team on approaching the topic of technology, and specifically how to do this through video. As a warm‑up, we held a video portrait session that focused on neutral or even negative expressions, to fill a visual gap and provide alternatives to the traditional overly positive, happy and smiling portraits. We also encouraged creators to step in front of one another’s cameras, giving them a chance to experience being directed themselves and to better understand how to guide models.

Diversity among the models was essential for this event. We cast 15 individuals, including Gen Z, seniors, families, d/Deaf and transgender models. Creators were invited to bring fresh ideas and creative approaches, making it a valuable opportunity to test techniques they had not tried before.

Working in a group setting like this is not the norm for many of our creators. So, this Tokyo Create event was a unique opportunity that inspired collaboration, encouraged experimentation and gave us the chance to learn from one another. True creativity does not exist in isolation. It grows through connection, exchange and the energy of a shared journey.