Updated: May 05, 2022
A varied, quality collection of design assets is an absolute must for graphic designers or anybody trying a graphic design or web design project. A bad workman always blames his tools, and your tools need to be top of the game in this competitive market.
Here we’ve searched and found a huge selection of top-quality sources of resources and assets, all categorized for your convenience, so whatever you need it’s right to hand, whatever the project. You simply do not have the time to design everything element from scratch, and you don’t need to – so check out this fabulously useful collection, to save you time whilst keeping the style. Images and illustrations, fonts and icons, plus much much more. A little time browsing our set recommendations will save you in the long run, no need to wade through the massive google search options -some are worth it but many aren’t. We’ve done it for you, a carefully chosen quality-controlled bunch all waiting to flourish and grow in your imaginative design. Design assets that are truly an asset.
Browse the best website sources for:
1. Sources of stock images and photographs
2. Sources of illustrations, cartoons, vectors
3. Sources of icons
4. Sources of fonts
5. Sources of backgrounds
6. Sources of seamless patterns and textures
7. Sources of mockup templates
8. Sources of videos and animations
9. Sources of CSS3 animations and effects
Where to Find Stock Images
Images are rightly in high demand by clients who want visuals; eye-catching, attention-grabbing, tone-setting, artistic, realistic, abstract, there’s no limit. You can play around with size, positions, masking, editing, etc. to customize for your exact needs. you know you need them and you know they are out there so what we’ve done is found 15 great sites for you and your photography search.
1. Pexels
A vast site for anyone to upload or download photos or videos. You can search through keywords or categories, types, styles, etc. then simply click and download. You have several download options, resize, and can get more info about the image if you wish.
Type: All images on Pexels.com are completely free, even for commercial use. All images and videos on Pexels.com are licensed under the Creative Commons Zero license. No attribution is required, but of course, it’s appreciated.
2. Unsplash
Huge and growing, Unsplash is a stock photography site that claims to have over 1.5 million photos, and over 150,000 contributing photographers, and generates more than 11 billion photo impressions per month. Anyone can upload but the photos are then curated by the editing staff. Simply click and download after searching through the well-organized categories and additional tags.
Type: Free under the Unsplash license, similar to Creative Commons License, no attribution required. Personal or commercial use.
3. Shutterstock
American-based Shutterstock has over 3oo million royalty-free images and over 1.5 million new stock images added weekly from over a million contributors worldwide. It also has some really useful filters: color, keywords, age, pixels depending on the category. Includes illustrations, vectors, music, and videos too so a huge choice for your creative urges.
Type: Free sign up and trial after various annual payment plans or prepaid per image plans. Once you have a plan then you can use it as you wish.
4. Adobe Stock
Adobe Stock is a massive choice of images plus templates, videos, vectors, and illustrations. Over 100 million images, search, filter (excellent set of choices), and click to save.
Type: Free 1-month trial, then various annual or month-to-month subscription plans from $29.99 to $249.99 then use in any project.
5. Pixabay
Pixabay offers well over a million free photos, illustrations, vectors, and videos, with over 33,000 contributors. All images are checked by Pixabay staff and it’s available in 26 languages. You do get Shutterstock images mixed in though, they have the logo, which helps finance the operation, keeping it free to use.
Type: Free registration is required then all video and image files available can be used without attribution requirement and also for commercial aims.
6. Burst by Shopify
Thousands of ecommerce related stock images as you would expect as it’s powered by Shopify, Click on and download, easy to use, easy to navigate, and a choice of high or low-resolution downloads for each image.
Type: All pictures are free to download for personal and commercial use, no attribution required.
7. iStock Photo
Canadian-based iStock is an online royalty-free, stock photography provider of Millions of photos, illustrations, clip art, videos plus audio tracks. It also has a rather cool editor on the site.
Type: Free sign up, then access to one free photo, illustration, video, and music clip per week. Then credit or time-based subscription fee depending on the number of images required.
8. DepositPhotos
Depositphotos has over 69,000 stock royalty-free photos and vector images plus videos (nearly 150 million files) for any usage, on any theme. It also supports 20 languages and has around the clock service. It’s a commercial platform but you can access some freebies.
Type: Free registration, selection of pricing plans, subscription, or on-demand.
9. GettyImages
Another commercial platform but Getty has made 35 million photos free to use. It’s certainly large with plenty of images and video and even music, it’s also claimed to be the highest quality stock photography site with lots of exclusive access to photos.
Type: Freebies available, expensive pricing policy in bundles, and depending on image size and quality.
10. Gratisography
A stock images site that advertises itself as full of quirky, creative images. This may be for you if you’re looking for something a little different. Not huge but they select only photos that fit their objective.
Type: Completely Free usage, commercial or personal projects.
11. LifeOfPix
LifeOfPix focuses on high-resolution stock images and videos. Just sign up, search, click and download. Links to Adobe Stock, which have a $ sign on them.
Type: Free, commercial or personal use, but limited for mass distribution
12. StockSnap
Stocksnap compiles free images from different stock image sites, very handy, and time-saving. It’s easy and straightforward after free registration.
Type: Free for any usage, no attribution.
13. KaboomPics
Kaboompics, a royalty-free service for stock images with over 6 million photos. Search through category or color, click and you get a three size download option; original, medium or custom. There is also a lovely touch, with each photo accompanied by a complementary color palette with Hex numbers, useful.
Type: Free commercial and non-commercial.
14. FreeImages
More than 300,000 free stock, royalty-free images. Download free, high-quality stock images, for everyday or commercial use.
Type: Free for commercial and personal usage.
15. PhotoDune
PhotoDune is a commercial site that sells royalty-free photographs and images starting at just $1. Items are priced on the size/megapixels of each file.
Type: Some freebies, other images individually priced.
Check out our article Free Stock Photos: Ultimate List of 55 Free Image Websites, to find more sources of free stock images.
Where to Find Amazing Illustrations, Cartoons, Vectors
We’ve looked at photographic image assets, so another way of creating the visual presentation that you need is illustrations. Illustrations can display ideas and concepts, often very complicated ones with a simplicity and clarity that is difficult in text. Added to this they can be creative and imaginative and so are able to score highly on the style scale. Plus there are many styles and techniques, that enables you to set a tone or atmosphere on your website and business in general. Cartoon, caricatures, hand-drawn, street art, graffiti, classic pencil, futuristic, graphic -really a vast choice. So let’s take a look at some fantastic sources, where you can find the assets which will be an asset.
16. GraphicMama
Vast selection of high-quality vector graphic illustrations in all techniques, available in bundles of a character or characters (different poses, emotions, backgrounds etc) plus other design bundles such as infographics, backgrounds, patterns, logos or themed bundles, and so on. Also custom work and animated puppets. A great selection.
Type: Dozens of free illustrations and graphic assets, and a huge collection of premium design bundles and assets with simple license types. GraphicMama also offers up to 80% discounts for their big credit batches, so, for example, a 241 colorful vector backgrounds bundle whose standard price is $32, could cost you less than $8, if you get a bigger credit batch.
17. VectorCharacters
vectorcharacters.net is ideal for cartoon characters in sets of poses and emotions. There are other sets too, including emojis, clip art, and vector icons, all searchable through category. A lovely choice of all for free. illustrations. click and download the set the choose you favorite ones. Ideal for presentations, to keep consistency with the same base illustration throughout.
Type: Huge free selection with some paid-for premium product links.
18. FreePsdFiles
A large range of downloadable PSD files. freepsdfiles.net creates all sorts of PSD assets including graphics, templates, backgrounds, business cards, flyers, and PhotoShop resources.
Type: Free for all usage
19. OpenDoodles
Open Doodles is a set of free illustrations that you can copy, edit, remix, share, or redraw these images for any purpose without restriction under copyright. Quite a limited selection but good quality sketches and includes a generator allowing you to edit on the site. Individual sketches or composition ones.
Type: Free for personal and commercial.
20. UseSmash
Over 250 illustration- categorized objects as characters, web elements, objects, or scenes. The premium paid version has over 500 and includes UX and UI creator tools.
Type: Free for commercial and personal or paid premium version $249 per year.
21. Humaaans
Humaaans is designed to let you mix and match a character to your own needs, changing clothes, hairstyles, poses and backgrounds. You’ll need a project design tool such as Adobe or Sketch and then get mixing.
Type: Free for commercial and personal use. Voluntary payment possible
22. Absurd.design
Absurdist, surreal illustrations. 15 free illustrations for free in PNG format, other paid options, Very different.
Type: Free for all usages but requires a link, optional membership scheme $57 per quarter.
23. DrawKit
SVG illustrations, free ones in two different styles (colored or Black & white lined) for free, plus premium illustration systems with packs, and animations. Editable with vector editing tools.
Type: Free or Premium paid
Where to Find The Perfect Icons
Icons are ideal for website design, being clearly identifiable and intentionally recognizable. But just because they are highly functional doesn’t mean we should forget about how cool they can look. These 11 icon asset sites give you a huge choice of high-quality options.
24. FontAwesome.com
Font Awesome has a whole gallery of nearly 8000 icon assets on its site, including over 1500 free ones (one style and limited to 10,000-page view per month) You can do a specific search for category or filter through category or style. Includes a very useful hosted kit enabling you to make changes and updates without pushing code.
Type: Some free or a paid-for Pro subscription for $99 per year.
25. Iconshock.com
With over 2 million stock icon assets this site has an enormous choice. There are over 30 style choices from flat to isometric any many more group into sets by category of business. Free sets are available for download as is custom design. All editable for size and color.
Type: Free icons are for personal use, Premium comes with a license for commercial use ($79 per year or $99 for lifetime access)
26. Iconstore.co
Packs of icons by various different designers, limited selection for free and full pack for paid (more characters, backgrounds poses, etc.). Easy to use, straightforward click and download.
Type: Free for a small pack, paid for full pack (individually priced)
27. FreeIcons.io
A platform site for designers to upload designs and assets so you get a creative mix of designs from all over the world. A huge database of free icons to download, covering all formats and styles.
Type: Free but author attribution required
28. TheNounProject.com
A Los Angeles site that collates and groups icons from designers around the world. The selling point is a huge diversity of global design. well over a million icons, all customizable (great color options where you can choose any color from the screen), and royalty-free.
Type: Free option requiring author attribution or Pro is $39.99 per year, no attribution required
29. IconFinder.com
Copenhagen-based Iconfinder has over 235 thousand icons available including over 15,000 freebies. downloads available in different formats and sizes. Search by categories or styles.
Type: Free options (license filters to check restrictions) or various paid options from $9 -$49 per month, or pay as you go.
30. Icons8.com
With over 100,000 free icons in 32 style options had freebies but they are uneditable. Alternatively, you can pay and get editable icons and other features. The site also has stock photos, music, and vectors.
Type: Free with link attribution or paid options of $24 monthly or $199 yearly
31. FlatIcon.com
Flaticon has over a quarter of a million vector icons in 64 formats, most are premium and paid but there is a wide collection of freebies too. Some sponsored links to paid-for Adobe stock.
Type: Free (check individually for usage), or Premium ($8.25 monthly for 12 months or $12.99 for month-by-month payments)
32. IconMonstr.com
Iconmonstr is a single creator created by the German designer, Alexander Kahlkopf. there are nearly 5000 icons split into over 300 collections in different formats and styles. Well worth checking out.
Type: Free for commercial and personal use
33. WebDesignerDepot.com
Webdesignerdepot is a famous web design blog, but more than that it also links you to some great designs. The link icon sets are well-chosen and various, and each completely individual.
Type: Links to other sites.
34. IconScout.com
Iconscout does icons as well as illustrations and stock photos. 4.3 million icons and other assets, and more than 100,000 free icons all royalty-free, in easily downloadable packs. There are individual licensing restrictions on usage.
Type: Free (check licensing restrictions), All Access costs $17.99 per month, billed annually.
You may also check out our article The Best Free Icon Packs to Download in 2022
Where to Find the Best Fonts
Fonts become a huge part of your branding and the overall look and feel of your website. They relay a sense of atmosphere to your customers and sometimes you might have found yourself settling for conventional fonts because it’s all that was on offer. Well not anymore, if you make use of these font resource assets! They specialize in providing quality fonts to help make your website look and feel better.
35. Dafont.com
Dafont archives fonts from designers from all over the world. A wide range to search alphabetically, by author, or by popularity. each font is individually owned by the author, so check out the information on each download button for clarification on usage.
Type: The fonts on this website are their authors’ property, and are either freeware, shareware, demo versions, or public domain. Check before downloading.
36. 1001FreeFonts.com
Over 1,000 free fonts and 10,000 paid ones (for personal and commercial use). An excellent search facility, so you can type in a sample text and see it render in different styles, colors, sizes, and weights.
Type: Free for personal use as you want, but there are also a few shareware fonts included. Check the license terms of each font that you download. Paid for versions for all usage.
37. UrbanFonts.com
Over 8,000 free fonts with individual information on each one.
Type: Free, see restrictions on usage for individual options. some shareware, some linkware.
38. FontSquirrel.com
Fontsquirrel has squirreled the net to find quality freeware that is licensed for commercial work and hand-selected these typefaces and presenting them in an easy-to-use format, with great filters.
Type: Free for all usage.
39. FontFabric.com
Bulgarian team fontfabric has produced its own fonts. You can type in sample text and check out all the font effects, and increase the size and there are language choices of Cyrillic or Greek fonts as well as extended Latin. They also offer custom designs.
Type: Completely free or custom options
40. Fonts.Google.com
Famed Google fonts is another option for your font assets. Nearly 1000 fonts are estimated to have been downloaded 19 billion times in more than 135 languages. Complete with valuable information about the designers and their processes, as well as usage. Themed collections, vetted and organized by a team of designers, engineers, and collaborators that can be customized collections by filtering families, weights, and scripts, plus test color themes, and review sample copy
Type: Completely free and open source.
41. Huertatipografica.com
Argentinian company huertatipographica are font specialists, offering both custom design and ready build font families. You can download directly from their site or through agencies such as Fontsquirrel
Type: Free or custom
42. FreeTypography.com
A nice selection of free fonts, often exclusively sent by the designer.
Type: Free
43. 1001fonts.com
Back to 1001font.com for some specialist poster fonts. Great selection.
Type: Type: Free for personal use as you want, but there are also a few shareware fonts included. Check the license terms of each font that you download. Paid for versions for all usage.
44. Fontsly.com
Fontsly supplies free fonts, with a super collection, categorized and set up for quick easy download. Change color and review sample text copy on the site before downloading it.
Type: See individual font usage.
45. Awwwards.com
Awwwards is a professional web design and development competition body. It aims to recognize and promote the best of innovative web design and that includes fonts It is a website competition that developers can submit to. Their free font selection gives you a varied collection but with undoubted quality.
Type: Free examples
46. We.Graphic
A cooperative of online designers that provide assets and resources for web designers, including templates, icons, graphic apps, and of course fonts. There are free fonts under a separate category or paid ones, under different licenses, check them out first.
Type: Free resources (attribution required) or premium membership $20 per year with commercial license.
47. MyFonts.com
American-based Myfonts is a distributor of digital fonts. claiming to hold the largest selection of fonts ever found. You to set up an account and then browse through their categories and samples. There are free fonts or paid each individually priced.
Type: No monthly fee or subscription. but need to purchase a specific license for use.
48. Type-Together.com
TypeTogether is a foundry committed to excellence in type design with a focus on editorial use. TypeTogether creates custom typography or has a catalog of choices. A fair selection of free fonts including some great language options but others are paid for. Click on a style for additional information on the design and price structure
Type: Free or paid for individually.
You may also be interested in our article Top Free Fonts for 2022
Where to find backgrounds
A few outliers in the stock photo categories, each of these resources is unique in its own way. For specific images that no photo database may provide, such as vintage photos, pattern imagery, and even desktop wallpapers, these resources are here to offer you something you may not find elsewhere.
49. Freepik.com
With nearly 2 million background resources, you should find something you need especially with categories and filters on the site. Premium contains a little crown icon.
Type: Free (see limitations on each, most required attribution) or Premium ($14.99 per month, paid monthly)
50. Vecteezy.com
290,977 royalty free vector graphics and clipart matching background, search by free license or pro license.
Type: A freemium service; basic features are free with advertisements and limitations, while additional features, such as improved licensing options and a broader selection of content, are offered to paying customers.
51. GraphicsFuel.com
Not only for backgrounds, but if it’s the background you are looking for then this is a good place to come. Basic click download process.
Type: Limited freebies or Premium membership $10 per month.
52. GraphicBurger.com
Nice selection categorized under various styles, click on and download.
Type: Free for personal and commercial
53. CoolBackgrounds.io
Cool Backgrounds is a collection of tools to create compelling, colorful images for blogs, social media, and websites. A great site for you to come up with your own downloadable design. Small, but with loads of variables and still growing.
Type: Free
You may also be interested in 18 Sources of Website Backgrounds to Find the Perfect Background
Where to find the best patterns
Similar to backgrounds, there are patterns on most stock photo sites but here are a few specialist ones that caught our eye.
54. PatternDesigns.com
Great selection of approaching 30,000 patterns by nearly 600 designers. Filtering by style or color. Seamless and available in different formats with different license options.
Type: Free samples, paid as individual designs from 22.50 Euros – 60 Euros depending on license and complexity.
55. Toptal.com
A freelance platform where is possible to find pattern designs by gifted designers who have loaded their work.
Type: Free downloads available but credit required.
56. Thepatternlibrary.com
An ongoing project compiling patterns by talented designers for you to use freely, full of unique designs it is growing slowly.
Type: Free
57. Seamless Pattern Designs by GraphicMama
A huge pattern bundle, full of brilliant designs, in fact, 1100+ of them. A collection of everything, these seamless patterns come in vector AI, EPS, PDF, as well as universal PNG files.
Type: Bought bundle $32 (plus free updates) Royalty-free, standard license. An extended license is available for print usage.
58. Pattern8.com
A limited number of cool seamless patterns, from John Rawsterne a freelance designer, from Manchester in the UK.
Type: Free, full usage
59. Graphicpear.com
A library of professional graphics, templates, mockups, fonts, and icons. that includes a fine collection of useful patterns to be used on pretty much any occasion from sites to products.
Type: Free (personal use) for registered users or Premium (commercial use) $39 monthly or $89 for one year.
60. Patternhead.com
The sister site of pattern8.com, patternhead gives you vector versions of the seamless patterns
Type: Free
Do you want to check out 150+ Free Pattern Designs: Seamless & Fully Editable
Where to find mockups
A mockup is a full-size model of a design or product used for presentations or other purposes. Think of it as a means of showing off what your design will actually look like when it’s put out into the real world, so we want them to look great. & mockup asset resources that we recommend are:
61. Freedesignresources.net
Linked to numerous design sites, freedesignresources offer some great choices, especially in product design. Filter through commercial, personal, or 100% free licenses, you click on the product that is appropriate and are given further useful information on usage.
Type: Free, Personal, or Commercial licenses depending on each design
62. Freebiesbug.com
Template, icons, fonts, etc plus mockups. A great collection of free PSD mockups to showcase your apps and websites. Each mockup contains the additional info required
Type: Free
63. Unblast.com
A fantastic collection of free PSD mockups including phone mockups, packages, apparel, flyers, posters, etc. Check them out.
Type: Free
64. Pixeden.com
A wide selection of fully layered PSD mock-ups with smart objects to make the creation of your mock-up template just a quick drag and drop affair.
Type: Free or Premium ($10per month)
65. Free-mockup.com
A large source of PSD mockups especially photorealistic ones. Simply guide through product categories, and click to download.
Type: Free or premium
66. Placeit.net
A paid-for instant mockup generator with over 21,000 different mockups.
Type: Starts from $7.47/month.
67. Mockupworld.co
A handpicked section of mockups from designers and agencies all over the world. Each item is featured together with a preview image or gallery, a detailed description, and a link that leads right to the download page. You can use the directory to quickly navigate to the desired category of motive. All mockups are in layered files and equipped with smart objects for quick drag and drop editing.
Type: Mockup World directory is free of charge and only lists images that may be used for private and commercial purposes without any restrictions.
Where to find videos and Animations
If a picture says a thousand words then how many must a video say? This may be a cliche phrase, however, it certainly works wonders in practice. Say more with a stock video that will loop on your website and create an ambiance for your visitors. Of course, creating your own videos can be time-consuming, expensive, and result in poor quality, so search through these databases to see what relevant video assets you can find for your site. Some of the other above options have included video but here are a few more.
68. Videohive.net
Nearly 1.5 million video effects and stock footage in one place, royalty-free and professionally created. Also, music and other templates are available on the same site. Each clip is charged individually and details are provided on clicking on the image, alongside technical details of the footage or effect.
Type: Paid for regular or extended licenses. Single-use or multi-use… see site for details
69. Mixkit.co
An assortment of video assets plus stock music and templates. Clips for everything on a simple click and download site. A very smooth system, and a great selection.
Type: Free no attribution or sign up.
70. Videvo.net
Video, music, and motion graphics on one site. Nearly 30,000 video clips in high-quality HD. Some are free but with limits on the usage of paid services with a royalty-free license.
Type: Free download requires attribution to author, premium version $24.99 monthly (Pro)
71. Storyblocks
A wide selection of royalty-free footage, and an expansive library of stock clips including 360 degrees, slow motion, aerial videos, time-lapses, etc., are included in your subscription and fully editable.
Type: Starter $15 monthly, $ 30 Unlimited all access
72. Motionelements.com
Royalty-free for all uses after payment, motion elements have a broad selection of not only video and effects but also animation and music. A great selection of filters allows easy navigation so you can find just the right clip, with all it required details.
Type: On-demand, credits, or subscription at $16.50 per month.
73. Videezy.com
Videezy is a community of creatives that love to create and share stock footage of all kinds from around the world. You can browse through the videos and after-effects templates by using the categories and use them to enhance your creations. Free or Pro versions are available with differing footage. Pro has a green banner on the images.
Type: Free versions for personal educational use, and commercial with attribution or paid pro version -1 credit is $19, 5 credits $39, 10 credits $49
Where to find CSS3 animations and web effects
CSS allows animation of HTML elements without using JavaScript or Flash. Which can be a rather nice option. Most often to style and improve on the appearance of views. It allows for the separation of presentation and content and includes the characteristics of layouts, colors, and fonts. CSS builds upon HTML to make web pages more interactive and appealing to the user. CSS parallax effects and micro animations are some of the most important ways to make your web design more interesting.
Here are 8 choice sites where you can find assets and the web effects that will liven up your site.
74. FXground.com
FXground is an inspiring inspiration site for web effects and animations with great examples of everything from buttons to loaders, characters to progress bars, and more.
Type: Inspiration site.
75. Pixelbuddha.net
A site that covers most graphic designers’ assets, including CSS animation under the animations category. A small number of free animated loaders.
Type: Some freebies or Subscription $10 monthly, $59 yearly
76. Daneden.github.io
Daniel Eden’s site features bounce, flash, pulse, rubberBand, shake, swing, tada, wobble, jello, heartBeat, bounceIn, bounceInDown and many other effects ready to download.
Type: Free
77. Ianlunn.github.io
A collection of CSS3-powered hover effects to be applied to links, buttons, logos, SVG, featured images, and so on. Easily apply to your own elements, modify or just use them for inspiration. Available in CSS, Sass, and LESS.
Type: Free
78. Zurb.com
A Sass library for quickly creating your own animations and transitions but with premade elements. To get started you need to install Motion UI with Bower or npm. The package includes a CSS file with a bunch of premade transitions and animations, along with the source Sass files, which allow you to build your own.
Type: Free
79. Vivify.mkcreative.cz
Vivify is a Czech CSS animation library. Very simply you click on it to download.
Type: Free
80. All-animation.github.io
A set of CSS3 animations to make your project sexier. They are cross-browser animations that will emphasize your pages such as sliders and 3D effects. Simple to use.
Type: Free, invites donations.
81. Webkul.github.io
Quick and easy to use with full instructions. A small but nice selection that allows customization.
Conclusion
Web resources are mind-blowing in their quantity and these days quality too. These sites contain an enormous range of assets that are quick and easy to download and use and can give your design something special, there is literally something from everybody. Free or paid, premium or subscription, we’ve tried to include a bit of everything. It’s important to check out prices and licenses, as they change over time, and also read the small print on usage.
Now you’ve got an awesome selection to start you off, trail through them, and save the best for you.
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