Media Usage

Caution!

Some projects in this course allow you to use media that has not been created by you, there are some projects that allow you to use a mix of your own work with portions of work created by others, and some projects require you to create all media yourself. Read the assignment/project requirements carefully, and seek additional clarification from your instructor when needed. Never assume that media created by others can be used in your projects.

Using Tutorials

Using tutorials is great for supplementary learning, but following a tutorial step-by-step and turning it in as your own work will be considered cheating. Utilize tutorials in the following way:

  1. Watch/follow the tutorial
  2. Learn the principles being taught
  3. Delete the work created by following the tutorial
  4. Create your original work by applying the principles you learned

Fair Use

The only time in this class that we will utilize Fair Use is when adding commentary to existing designs or when specifically outlined in the project minimum expectations. For all other instances of media use in projects you will need to obtain/create these assets legally.

Self-Created Media

Self-created media is media that is 100% original work, created by you. This would not include any portion of work created by others, and would not include work that was created solely by watching a tutorial.

Public Domain

Media that are not, or no longer protected by copyright are deemed to be in the public domain. This media can be freely used freely. 

Here are a few free image websites (Public Domain):

Creative Commons Zero (CC0)

“The person who associated a work with this deed has dedicated the work to the public domain by waiving all of his or her rights to the work worldwide under copyright law, including all related and neighboring rights, to the extent allowed by law. You can copy, modify, distribute and perform the work, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission.”

See more information at CreativeCommons.org

Here are a few free image websites (Creative Commons Zero):

Creative Commons

There are other creative commons licenses that require various rules and/or regulations. These include things like attribution, non-commercial use, no derivatives, etc. Read more about some of the most used creative commons licenses at CreativeCommons.org. If using media marked with one of these licenses you need to be careful to follow the associated rules and/or regulations.

Find images on the following websites, but make sure you understand the usage requirements:

Purchased

There are many inexpensive places to purchase high-quality media. Be aware of any usage terms before purchasing media. When purchasing media you still can be limited on what you can legally do with that media.

Here are a few paid stock photography sites:

Written Permission

Acquiring written permission from a media creator, for instance a photographer, will permit you to use their content.