Finding and Using Images

Abertay-provided images – start here

As an Abertay student, you have free access to Adobe Express Premium, which includes a huge library of high-quality, copyright-safe images from Adobe Stock.

This is the easiest and safest source for images to use in coursework, posters, or presentations. These images are fully licensed for your use — no copyright concerns, and attribution is optional (but good practice).

You can access Adobe Express via AppsAnywhere or log in directly with your Abertay username.

For help using Adobe Express or Adobe Stock, see our Adobe Creative Campus guide.

Creative Commons and open access images

These are free-to-use images, usually under a Creative Commons licence. Some require attribution, and some restrict commercial use or modifications.

Common sources include:

• Openverse – Search for images with open licences.
• Pixabay – Free for most uses. No attribution required, but recommended.
• Unsplash – High-quality images. Attribution encouraged but not required.
• Pexels – Similar to Unsplash and Pixabay.
• Wikimedia Commons – Check the licence on each image.
• Flickr Commons – Use the Flickr Commons section only and check each licence.

Always check the licence information on each image.

Images from museums, archives, and cultural collections

For historical, scientific, or artistic images, try:we

• British Library – Flickr Collection – Public domain historical images.
• Wellcome Collection – Excellent for scientific, medical, and social history images. Most are under a Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) licence.
• Europeana – Cultural heritage images from across Europe. Licence details vary by item.
• Art UK – Artwork from UK public collections. Some are free to use for coursework, but check for restrictions on reuse beyond that.

Google Images – use with care

Google Images is not a source — it’s a search tool. Most images it shows are protected by copyright unless otherwise marked.

If you use Google Images:

• Click Tools below the search bar.
• Select Usage Rights → Creative Commons licences.
• Click through to the original website to check the licence.

Even when labelled Creative Commons, it’s important to check the source website to confirm the licence is correct.

If in doubt — don’t use it. Use Adobe Express or Openverse instead.

Is it informative or illustrative? Use images to support a point, explain something, or help the reader understand your message (for example, a diagram, map, or process image).

Is it decorative? Be cautious with purely decorative images. They can take up valuable space — especially on posters — and may distract from your main content. If you do include decorative images, make sure they are high quality and legally safe to use.

Use clear, high-quality images that won’t become blurry or pixelated when resized.

Check whether the image is appropriate for the tone of your work — avoid anything unprofessional or unclear.

Tip: For help with how to size, position, and format images in presentations or posters, see:

• Slide Design for Academic Presentations
• Building an Academic Poster in PowerPoint

Copyright applies to most images, including photos, diagrams, charts, icons, and graphics.

You can usually use an image if it is:

• Your own work (photo, diagram, or AI image you created)
• Provided under an open licence (such as Creative Commons)
• In the public domain
• Supplied by Abertay through a licensed platform, such as Adobe Express with Adobe Stock

Attribution vs referencing:

• If the image is illustrative or decorative, a caption with an attribution is usually enough.
• If you discuss the image in your text (for example, analysing a chart or figure), it needs both an in-text citation and a reference list entry — just like any other source.

AI-generated images:
If you create an image using an AI tool (such as Adobe Firefly, DALL·E, or Canva AI), check the terms of use. Most require you to follow their licence terms.
It is safest to treat AI-generated images like any other — add a caption with an attribution showing where it was created.

Important: Check first whether using AI-generated images is allowed on your programme or module. Some modules may not permit AI-generated content in assessed work, or may require you to declare it. Check your module handbook or ask your tutor if you are unsure.

Even when not required (for example, Adobe Stock or CC0 images), it is good practice to include an attribution.

A typical attribution includes:

• Title – Author – Source – Licence

Example:
"Sunset over mountains" by Jane Smith, via Unsplash licence.

For guidance and examples, see the Creative Commons page on Recommended practices for attribution.

Important: If the image is cited as part of your academic argument or analysis, it must also be referenced fully in your reference list.

For how to reference images correctly in Harvard, APA, or OSCOLA, see the Cite Them Right Online

Q: What do you mean by 'image'?
Any visual content — photos, diagrams, charts, screenshots, icons, AI-generated images, illustrations, or artwork.

Q: Can I adapt an image?
Check the licence:
• CC0 – Yes, freely.
• CC BY – Yes, with attribution.
• CC BY-NC or ND – Check carefully for restrictions.
Images from Adobe Stock can generally be edited freely for coursework.

Q: What’s the difference between attribution and referencing?
Attribution is a caption placed near the image showing the source (for illustrative or decorative images).
Reference is a full entry in your reference list when the image forms part of your academic discussion (for example, analysing a figure from an article).

Q: Do I need to reference images from Adobe Stock?
No, but it is good practice to add a caption such as:
"Template image from Adobe Stock via Adobe Express."