4 minute read
Free media resources for your projects
When you’re working on online projects, adding a bit of visual and auditory flair can really up the game. But not everyone’s rolling in mountains of dosh to build their own fancy media library - that’s where stock photo websites come to the rescue. Even then, the cost of some of these sites can mount up with subscriptions and per-item fees. Sometimes, you just want a free image of a seagull chilling on a pier, right?
Quick reminder: snagging images from Google without permission is a no-no; most images benefit from a basic form of copyright, so using them could land you in hot legal water. If you’re delievering online learning and training, you want a squeaky-clean reputation to ensure your audience trusts you, so it’s probably best to stay on the right side of the copyright laws.
And here’s another wrinkle: quality. Borrowing someone else’s low-res, web-optimized 200x200 image might seem like a good idea, but it’ll turn into a pixelated mess when you try to size it up for your course header. Not pretty.
So, you need a source where you can grab high-quality images, resize them, and even do a bit of tweaking without shelling out a penny. If you’re scratching your head wondering where to find such a unicorn, well, you’re in luck because we’ve got the scoop right here.
Check out these websites where you can score top-notch images, video clips, sound effects, and music for free.
Images
Freepik: This site offers a subscription model, but they have a free plan too. Sign up, and you can download up to 10 images every day. Just remember to give proper credit when you use an image.
Flat Icon: It’s from the same folks as Freepik and follows the subscription model. But as a free user, you can snag 100 professionally designed icons daily. Perfect for spicing up infographics, diagrams, and buttons.
Pixabay: This is a go-to for free stock photos with no need for attribution. But hey, they appreciate it if you want to throw a little love their way with a donation.
Unsplash: Similar to Pixabay, it’s totally free, and you don’t have to worry about attribution, although it’s a nice touch.
Pexels: Another place to score free images without the need for attribution. Simple and sweet.
Sounds
YouTube Studio: Did you know that YouTube has a library of free music and sound effects? Well, now you do. Some of them ask for attribution, and some don’t. They’ve got nifty filters to help you sort it out.
Pixabay: Yep, Pixabay does more than just photos. They’ve got music too, and nope, you don’t have to credit anyone, but hey, a little donation love never hurt.
BBC: The BBC has a massive library of sound effects, and guess what? It’s free to use! There are some rules about giving credit and copyright, so be sure to read up on those. But you’ll find some seriously cool and unique sounds here.
Video
Pexels: Besides offering awesome photos, Pexels also hooks you up with free video clips. No attribution needed, but if you feel like showing some appreciation, it’s always welcome.
Pixabay: Yep, Pixabay’s on a roll. They’ve got video clips too, and just like their other goodies, no attribution required. You can always drop a few bucks in the donation jar if you want to.
AI-Generated Art
Now, while those are some rock-solid resources, there’s also a wild world of AI tools popping up all over the place. These AI tools can whip up custom images that match your vibe, which can be hard to find on regular stock sites with their cookiecutter stuff.
If the idea of crafting your own images sounds intriguing, check out tools like Fotor, Midjourney, and Adobe Firefly. Fair warning, though: you’ll need some practice and patience to get the hang of making AI understand and churn out your creative vision.
So, armed with these resources, go ahead and jazz up your online content. Your audience will thank you for it!
