The method
- Define a project and criteria such as colours, materials, shapes or atmosphere. For each reference, note the feature that interests you rather than adding it simply because it looks attractive.
- Find the original page and record author, title or description, address and stated rights. An image in a collection or search engine is not, by itself, permission to reuse it.
- Before sharing, examine each image’s conditions. Use a source link where reproduction rights remain uncertain; add required credits to reproductions you retain.
Fictional worked example
A fictional decorating board contains one photo for its blue palette and another for a furniture shape. Each note explains that choice. A third image with no identifiable origin stays a research link rather than being inserted as a freely reusable visual in the published version.
The record to keep
Keep source, selection reason, rights statement and sharing decision for each item. Retain rejected references when they explain a limitation.
Your record, step by step
For your own situation, record the following information. Check a field when it is documented; missing information still needs verification. The boxes are a reminder within this page.
This checklist does not validate your project. No entries are sent or saved.
Fictional worked case. A fictional inspiration board has three visuals. Keep their statuses separate even when they share a theme.
| Element | Observation in the case | Interpretation or next check |
|---|---|---|
| Image A | Creator and original page found | Keep the description-page link |
| Image B | Copy found on an account naming another creator | Find the original file or permission |
| Image C | Reuse conditions not found | Keep as a lead; do not assume publication permission |
| Transformation | One image cropped in the mock-up | Keep the original and record the crop |
What this method can establish
The board establishes neither product effectiveness nor general permission to copy images. Examine rights for the reproduction and intended use.
Useful questions before you start
How can inspiration be distinguished from a publication-ready file?
Give each entry an explicit status. A reference useful for explaining a visual direction is not automatically a file with documented reuse conditions.
Supporting documentation
These references support the method. Each source shows its language and consultation date; an available directory record explains its purpose.
- Wikimedia Commons — réutiliser un contenu EN ↗
Documentation consulted on · Resource record : Wikimedia Commons
An editorial method, a fictional example and references for further reading.