Graphics Reference
In-Depth Information
You can download a comp
from a stock site that will be
exactly what you see in the
preview: a low-resolution JPG
with the stock company logo
watermark imprinted on the
image. But the cost of
replacing the comp with a
usable and legal photo is
usually very modest from all
but the most prestigious sites.
In this case, a good-sized
image for a portfolio—about
1200 pixels at its longest
dimension—would cost less
than $10. Some images and
smaller sizes are even less
expensive.
artwork wasn't licensed, you can't show the ad concept in most digital ways. If you
feel the idea was fabulous and shows your creativity well, you can contact the artist
directly for their permission to use it in for the limited purpose of your portfolio. You
can also search for a similar image through a stock-licensing site. Prices for low-reso-
lution versions of images are often extremely cost effective.
Clip art and stock sites
Most download sites state their usage policy explicitly, but not necessarily in
big bold print. Usually there is a link to the fine print on usage. Read this material
before you get your heart set on using a piece. There are some sites that offer com-
pletely copyright-free art. However, with a couple of notable exceptions (see the side-
bar “License to share”), most provide small images meant for web page backgrounds
and clickable buttons. This is low-quality art, and it shouldn't find its way into a cre-
ative professional's work. The general rule for a stock image: If it's good enough for
you to want to use it, it's probably someone's licensed work.
Usually, your license-free rights on a stock image are limited to low-resolution
versions of the work. Otherwise, there is a payment structure based on the size and
resolution quality. What if the downloaded work is presented on a project that was
clearly just a comp? If the work came from a stock site and you are only using the
comp-sized version, there is no reason not to use it in your portfolio. Of course, that
