This is mainly gonna cover the most important aspect of designing : choosing the right resources and application of those.

looks very breathtaking isn't? but the only drawback is, it's AI generated. Which means, it's basically using a defined artstyle to create the desired pic we need. It could range from "underwater hypothetical photoshoots" to "non-existent couple photoshoot." In short, it's fantasising coming to reality through AI.

But then again, a lot of these are being used for making covers, and for designing. With these, it's actually pretty much very easy to make anything we want. But practically speaking, don't consider yourself a designer if you do this.

1) LEARN.

Before you ever take up graphic designing, learn the basics first. It's not about execution of your creativity, but rather, also using your brains prior to that.

Don't use pinterest for pictures until and unless they belong to a photoshoot you're allowed to use. I mean, you know your idols, don't you?

Never use pinterest for backgrounds. It's because most of you can't differentiate an edited one and a plain photo.

Let me show you an example of what you're gonna use, and what you're not gonna use.

You obviously can't use them. But I've seen majority of the population use these as the backgrounds (in case of fantasy fictions).

And of course, the infamous "bar" backgrounds used in Mafia fanfictions/ action ones.

I'm pretty sure you would have used these at least once, if not, at least seen others using these. (i myself have, before i knew that they could actually not be used)

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We can go on with the overlays too. Now, this is especially for the theme designers who use PicsArt or sometimes even ibispaintx.

I've not really opened my perspective to "theme designing" but I've seen a lot of accounts follow a similar theme using these designs as their main base. Because definitely, a non-graphic designer can't generate such good works.

2) Now, WHAT SHOULD YOU USE?

Always use trustworthy apps. One of the best apps, I would say, to hunt for resources is deviantart.

with proper credits, you can definitely download and use them. and you won't get into trouble at all. now, what's the difference between pinterest and deviantart? it's all about using it from an unknown source or using it from the owner itself. The unknown source is pinterest and the known source is deviantart.

In a nutshell, deviantart is like being a carat and pinterest is like being a blink/army (no hate to the non-toxic fans.)

And most importantly, if you're an ibispaintx user, you're prone to work with brushes. And I'm sure more than half of us use custom brushes. But do you download them from pinterest? If yes, then don't. Just don't. You're basically stealing the brushes without the owner's permission that way.

You can also trust other platforms like pixabay, etc. But deviantart, according to me, has the best resources including cosplays.

3) MY OWN MISTAKES ::

Of course, it's not like I've been a god given designer. Just like everyone else, I've had my own share of mistakes too. I'm just sharing them so you don't repeat it.

this was an edit I had done back in 2022, when i was a baby to graphic designing. It was basically a face swap, but a "real with fanart" face swap.

Once again, this was made in 2022, five or six months into designing, for a contest. But my entry was not accepted. Any idea why? Because I've used unsafe resources. The man I've face swapped baekhyun with, the skull, the balloons, and literally everything. It may not seem like it, but delving deeper, it is.

But who even cares these days? I've seen my own share of people who host graphic contests with AI generated art.

I hope this was useful! Do let me know if you have any doubts <3