Family photos: The search for a forgotten past

01 : 07 : 2014 Crowdsourcing : Nostalgia : Photography

New York – Like many people, art director Dave Tomkins loved his grandpa. He loved him so much that when he found a box of old slides taken by his grandfather, Stephen Clarke, he wanted to unravel the mystery of where they were taken so he decided to crowdsource the internet for answers.

Grandpa's Photos Grandpa's Photos
Grandpa's Photos Grandpa's Photos
Grandpa's Photos Grandpa's Photos
Grandpa's Photos Grandpa's Photos

Tomkins created a website, Grandpa's Photos, and asked people to identify where the photos were taken and also to take a picture of the space as it is now. The hope was to show his grandfather to help jog his memory, but sadly he died in 2013 before Tomkins could get the site up and running. 

'The plan was to get thousands of people looking at, and loving, his photos and to do an exhibition getting people to take the same photos today all over the world and present it to him as final proof that he was a great photographer,' Tomkins told Fast Co Design.

The honesty and emotion that comes through Grandpa's Photos is similar to what we have seen in Escapist E-Journals. Read the microtrend to see how multimedia platforms are exploring the far corners of the earth through hazy photography and emotional vignettes. 

Discover More Daily Signals
Clair introduces continuous monitoring wearable for hormone health

Daily Signals

Clair introduces continuous monitoring wearable for hormone health

Clair is a new start-up from Stanford University building what it calls ‘life-stage intelligence’: a non-invasive, continuous hormonal health monitor.
Women's Health : Technology : Hormonal Health
Stat: Why decarbonisation without finance is stalling fashion’s sustainability transition

Daily Signals

Stat: Why decarbonisation without finance is stalling fashion’s sustainability transition

As global temperatures breach the 1.5°C threshold, a new roadmap is urging fashion brands to pay a fair share for the energy transition in Banglade...
Sustainability : Fashion : Statistic
Arc’teryx embraces sensory restraint in brand storytelling

Daily Signals

Arc’teryx embraces sensory restraint in brand storytelling

In an increasingly noisy world, Arc’teryx is reframing mountain sports as a meditative form of presence, suspension and sensory quiet.
Sport : Fashion : Marketing
Greenpeace frames legacy giving as a final act of protest

Daily Signals

Greenpeace frames legacy giving as a final act of protest

Global environmental organisation Greenpeace is reimagining legacy giving with a darkly comic campaign that turns death into a stage for activism.
Sustainability : Marketing & Branding : Humour
The China Playbook: Why China’s demographics are reshaping the market

Daily Signals

The China Playbook: Why China’s demographics are reshaping the market

The China Playbook is a monthly briefing from Hot Pot, equipping businesses with the knowledge to navigate the complexities of the Asian premi...
China : Generations : Demographics
Stat: Millennials, Gen Z and generative AI are changing the future of US travel planning

Daily Signals

Stat: Millennials, Gen Z and generative AI are changing the future of US travel planning

According to Deloitte’s 2026 Travel Industry Outlook, Gen Z and Millennials now dominate US travel demand and they are leading the adoption of gene...
Travel : Technology : Statistic
How Maison Margiela is turning behind-the-scenes access into brand value

Daily Signals

How Maison Margiela is turning behind-the-scenes access into brand value

Maison Margiela has unveiled unprecedented access to its digital archives, releasing its internal Dropbox folders to the public for free alongside ...
Fashion : Luxury : Design
Stat: Global waste is projected to surge as circular design becomes critical

Daily Signals

Stat: Global waste is projected to surge as circular design becomes critical

Waste volumes are projected to rise more than 80% by 2050, according to a new report from the Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP)...
Sustainability : Climate Crisis : Waste Management
Foresight Friday: Alice Crossley, deputy foresight editor

Daily Signals

Foresight Friday: Alice Crossley, deputy foresight editor

Every Friday, we offer an end-of-week wrap-up of the topics, issues, ideas and virals we’re all talking about. This week, deputy foresight editor A...
Foresight Friday : Sport : Music
Ferrari Luce redefines electric performance through tactile design

Daily Signals

Ferrari Luce redefines electric performance through tactile design

Ferrari has unveiled the interior and interface of its first fully electric sports car, the Ferrari Luce.
Mobility : Luxury : Design
You have 2 free Daily Signals remaining. Sign up to LS:N Global to get unlimited access to all articles.
BECOME A MEMBER
SIGN IN