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I am a large proponent of creating all designs, whether it be print or web, from my own code and image resources. However, I also have to be realistic with business deadlines becoming increasingly strained both in full-time office environments and the freelance world.
As a designer, is it right to purchase images or code to use in your own projects? After dealing with many different types of clients and designing a vast variety of projects, I have to say, “yes, but…”. And it is a very important “but”. If you are going to purchase code or stock resources, do so for the right reasons. Use the functionality that you need and then make it your own.
I’ve had some recent conversations specifically about Flashden. The site allows users to sell and buy stock flash, video, audio and font files. There are some extremely high-quality files and some not-quite-so-good files, but all are priced accordingly by Flashden. Have I ever downloaded anything from Flashden? Yes, I have, but…I also have made sure that I only use the code if it complements my own existing files and that I have left all credits to the coder intact. In no way, should these downloaded files replace your own work. Passing someone else’s work off as your own, even if you paid for it, is deceiving and is not representative of your personal work.
I liken the use of stock flash files to stock photography and Drupal/Dot Net Nuke modules, but the main difference is that while some stock photography and Drupal modules are allowed to be used as is, I highly recommend using your own design for the face of your flash projects. Your designs will only be better if you alter your photos or actionscript specifically for your project and put your personal design stamp on it.
Designers are encouraged to use all of their own code and image resources for their projects, but Flashden is a great resource for learning actionscript and for pleasing that one client that only wants it one way. I have found their forums and blog to be helpful at times as well. There is only one catch with using Flashden…you have to be honest about it.
Stock.xchng and Stockxpert are sister stock photography sites and both are subsidiaries of Jupiterimages. So what are the main differences between the two? Let’s take a look:
Stock.xchng (www.sxc.hu)
Pros
- Free
- Over 350,000 images
- Exposure for photographers and designers
- Tutorials
- Image contributor blogs
- Member forum
- Did I mention images were free?
Cons
- Restrictions on use
- Some images require the photographer to be notified and credited when used for any public use
- Some images are of lower quality and/or resolution
