Use of stock images

[SRO]

I saw a Kickstarter recently in which a very talented artist stated that there was no use of AI or stock images in their deck. I certainly understand AI and wouldn't want to go near it when trying to design a deck. I'm looking for a general consensus on the use of stock images. I'll be honest here. If any of you have ever seen the movie Amadeus - a wonderful movie despite historical inaccuracies - the composer Salieri was depicted as someone with the intense desire to create beautiful music but was damned with mediocre talent. That's kind of how I feel. I have ideas about decks, but I don't have a lot of artistic talent.

I put together a deck recently in which I used a lot of stock images for the court cards. All of them were altered, some extensively. I am still learning Illustrator and Photoshop, so I mainly assemble cards in PowerPoint. I've used the "edit points" function extensively. So most of the time, I use stock images as a base and then alter them to fit what I'm looking for.

Is the use of stock images frowned on to a great extent? If it's OK, is it something I should always disclose? Please understand, I'm not advocating for or against stock image usage, I'm looking for a consensus. I wouldn't ever want someone to buy a deck of mine and then feel cheated about the images.

[Harvonsgard]

Only speaking for myself; I don't care for AI or stock images - valid tools in my book. As long as the result shows me some heart and soul and great design, I'm in for it. I do care for integrity though. Don't copy and paste images without consent of the OG creators and disclose AI use.

[GandalfPC]

It’s a small category - to be an artist that can work in such collage you need to be something that very few people are - you might be that, you might not - but it is a rare breed.

I think Salieri’s problem was not that he could not compose, it was that he could not accept it and find another medium to express himself.

I guess the way you find out - show people your work and see if they like it. Don’t seek out friendly or polite opinion - seek the tough sell crowd.

[CrystalDrug]

In terms of AI decks, they're rubbish. Not only there's barely any artistry or craftsmanship involved in their creation, but the designers also tend to go to great lengths to hide the GenAI involvement in their projects.

In terms of stock imagery, you have to be careful with the Licensing policies of microstock agencies. If you plan to print and sell large quantities of decks, such as 1,000+ or 10,000+, you might need to buy premium licenses to cover the use of stock imagery. I would generally advise against stock imagery unless you can alter it in a significant and unique way.

[Harvonsgard]

In terms of AI decks, they're rubbish. Not only there's barely any artistry or craftsmanship involved in their creation, but the designers also tend to go to great lengths to hide the GenAI involvement in their projects.

Great generalisation. May I ask which bot hurt you?

[CrystalDrug]

In terms of AI decks, they're rubbish. Not only there's barely any artistry or craftsmanship involved in their creation, but the designers also tend to go to great lengths to hide the GenAI involvement in their projects.

Great generalisation. May I ask which bot hurt you?

Yes, you may, although you'd have to elaborate as I don't understand your question.

[wonderfulfacts]

I'm looking for a general consensus on the use of stock images.
...
I have ideas about decks, but I don't have a lot of artistic talent.
...
I put together a deck recently in which I used a lot of stock images for the court cards.
...

It is perfectly fine to utilize stock images and graphics in any of your work.
The very purpose of their existence is to be picked up, used and implemented by artists, designers and other creatives.
It serves as an eco system for the creative industry that empowers big and small.

Do you have some design sketches to show or share with us at this point?

[JazzBaloo]

Artistic talent and creative talent aren't quite the same thing. Both can be successful or not. You can go the way of others who lack Artistic talent and just do standard faces or you could just hire an artist... or just do what you want and make it great.

[GandalfPC]

https://www.eden-gallery.com/news/collage-in-art