Searching in databases is a great way to ensure you're getting the best possible search results. Try these visual art and design databases to find resources that are most relevant to your discipline.
The five sites listed below are all safe to use for non-attribution images. These sites also offer a choice in the size of the image to download. There are many other sites available; however, you must provide appropriate credit for images. If you cannot find the owner of the image, please do not use the images. Please be aware that gallery site images are not free sites for images.
It can be valuable to build your career prospects and networks by connecting with professional associations. You might like to engage with these visual arts and design groups as a student, or even throughout your career.
Is there anything more you would like us to include in this guide? Let us know by going to our Feedback page and we will do our very best to add the resources you want.
Did you know that there are many great textbooks and resources that are available for free?
Open Educational Resources (OER) are defined by UNESCO as
“… teaching, learning and research materials in any medium – digital or otherwise – that reside in the public domain or have been released under an open license that permits no-cost access, use, adaptation and redistribution by others with no or limited restrictions....”
The following textbooks are examples of resources that are 100% free and available for you to use during your degree and beyond!
For information about OER's, please see our guide.
Useful resources for understanding your topic and finding the right keywords to use in your searching.
A Dictionary of Modern Design (2 ed.) by 
A Dictionary of Modern and Contemporary Art by 
The Oxford Dictionary of Art and Artists by This guide has been created by University of Newcastle Librarians who work with your schools to make sure you have access to the resources you need. The Librarians supporting visual art and design are:
