Stock Image Policy

Logo, Icon, Illustration Design Contests

For logo, icon, illustration design contests or any other contest categories that require completely original artwork, we prohibit designers from using:

• Stock images or vectors, regardless of whether it is free, free for commercial use, or paid through a licensing agreement.
• Modified stock images or vectors.
• Traced photos (unless you or the client have exclusive rights to the photo).
• Traced designs or parts of a design from any source.
• Fonts that contain graphical symbols, like Wingdings or Dingbats.
• Universal symbols (example: peace symbol, recycle symbol) as the main element of the design as they are public domain and cannot be trademarked.

Examples of practices you should avoid:

1. Modifying a stock image or vector and pass it as yours

2. Tracing photos that are not exclusively yours

3. Using universal symbols as the main element of your design

Using any artwork that has not been exclusively created by you will result in your account being permanently closed.

Guidelines for Websites, Brochures, Flyers and Banners

Use of stock images are common in these design categories. In these instances, designers should:

• Be Completely transparent about the use of any stock components.
• Be able to demonstrate that you own the rights to any stock images used.
• Inform clients appropriate licences should be acquired to make use of the image.

See "Submit Design" portal screenshots for reference:

These stock images are bound to certain limitations based on the acquired license (standard or extended). It is always best to check these to make sure you are not violating any copyright laws.

And while we allow stock / licensed images to be used where they are appropriate, ultimately, DesignCrowd requires all designers to provide an original artwork as described in the Design Standards.

Only submit original work. Your design must be entirely your own work. Do not copy another design. Never use stock images, clip-art or purchased vectors in a logo design, illustration design or icon design contest. Use of stock images in any other contest must be declared. You must also be able to demonstrate that you own the rights to any stock images used. If you are reported for using stock or copying designs your account will be deactivated without prospect of reactivation.