A Practical Software Directory for Solo Builders
by Lindsey Marshall & Lester Meachem
Fundamental to the study of graphic design is the creative use of images in a design context. This book teaches you how to select and use images for a range of applications, including: magazines and newspapers, posters, booklets, books, leaflets, stationery, book and CD covers, advertising and promotional material, packaging, point of purchase, web pages and digital advertisements. The book explores methodologies for choosing, placing, combining, manipulating and montaging imagery and the relationship of image to text. It has chapters on selection, structure and layout, composition, communication, colour, image potential, and production Using fully illustrated case studies from leading graphic designers and practical exercises, the book provides professional insights and tips into ways of using pictures and will be invaluable for graphic design students.
LEARN MORE →Finding ready-made resources for creative projects
Projects often need ready-made images, graphics, video or music to support a design, campaign or published piece.
Tools in this category will help you to...
Find downloadable resources such as photographs, illustrations, icons, video, music and design templates. Some services focus on particular types of media, while others offer broad libraries through a subscription. Consider the formats you need, how often you will download assets and whether the licence covers your intended project. Check individual files for software requirements before buying or subscribing.
New to using stock assets? Read our short planning guide →
The directory is developing incrementally. We’ll add research and first-hand testing as we carry them out, while keeping straightforward listings useful for discovery.
Artlist supplies music, sound effects, stock footage and video templates for videos, adverts and other creative projects. Find supporting clips or a soundtrack, then download files to use in your editing software. Its subscriptions include Music & SFX and broader access through Max, with AI tools available alongside the stock libraries. A free account lets you browse, save favourites and try watermarked music and footage. Unwatermarked stock downloads and use in published projects require a paid subscription. Choose a plan around where you will publish, including any client work or advertising, and check its licence.
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Creative Market is a marketplace for design resources from independent creators, including fonts, graphics, photographs, templates, mockups and brushes. Buy individual products when you need a particular style or resource, rather than taking out a subscription to a whole library. Product pages show previews, included files and software requirements, helping you check whether an asset will work with your existing tools. Four featured assets are offered free each week, while paid membership provides a larger monthly collection and shopping benefits. Prices and licence options vary by product, so select the licence that matches your intended use.
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Envato Elements brings together stock photographs, graphics, fonts, music, sound effects, video and editable templates in a subscription library. Find resources for presentations, social posts, websites and video projects, then download them for use in compatible software. Paid subscriptions include unlimited stock downloads under the service’s licence and fair-use terms, with AI tools and allowances depending on the plan. A selected collection of free files is also available. Before downloading a template, check its required application, version and any additional fonts or plugins. Compare the subscription cost with how regularly you expect to need new assets.
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IconScout provides icons, vector illustrations, 3D graphics and Lottie animations for websites, apps, presentations and marketing materials. Browse matching packs to keep your designs consistent, then customise supported assets using its online editors. Options include changing colours, resizing graphics and adapting illustrations before download. Available formats include SVG, PNG and animation or 3D files, depending on the asset. Free resources are available under their individual licence terms, while paid subscriptions unlock premium downloads and additional features. AI tools have plan-dependent allowances. Check the file format and licence before choosing an asset for your project.
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Shutterstock offers a broad stock library of photographs, illustrations, vectors, video, music and sound effects for websites, publications and marketing projects. Browse and preview content before choosing files to license, with editing and AI tools also available. Paid options include image packs for occasional projects, subscriptions with a monthly download allowance and unlimited plans covering selected content types. Check what each package includes, its billing commitment and the licence required for your intended use. The variety of purchase options lets you compare occasional downloads with an ongoing subscription, rather than paying for more access than you need.
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Decide what your project needs before browsing a library. A relevant photograph, a matching set of icons or a short music track can save time. Keep your audience, message and existing style in mind when choosing.
Read the terms for the particular asset and plan. Check whether they cover your intended business use, client work, advertising or products you will sell. Look for attribution requirements, project registration and any restrictions on editing or redistribution. Check what happens to your usage rights if a subscription ends.
Make sure the download includes a format your software can open and edit. Check image dimensions, video resolution or audio length before buying. Templates may require particular software, fonts or additional assets that are sold separately. Use previews to check suitability before committing.
Save the source, creator, download date, licence information and any receipt or project registration. Organise these alongside the finished project so you can find them again when updating the work or answering a client's question. A small collection of suitable, well-organised assets is often more useful than a large folder of unused downloads.