I remember when I was a newbie in the web design and development world. That was the time when for me, there were no standards, no sense of design, no copyright violation worries, no law what so ever for me to design a website! I will agree I was naïve, right to the hilt! And this was the point where I used to search and cruise websites for making my own web graphics, that was what inspiration was for me when I started web designing, Finding beautiful websites and downloading their graphics and images, to make a web design of my own.

Time went by and I became aware of something known as “stock graphics”. I would spend more time browsing and collecting these stock images and graphics for use later. Most of the time was spent searching for free web graphics or stocks.

Today, after over a decade of designing websites, I realized my flaws, my mistakes and if I may, my naïveness where the world of web graphics is concerned. The way I see it, those years were more so for learning than designing.

Today, when I design websites, CSS and XHTML play a more important role than stocks or web graphics. I use Photoshop, CorelDraw and my camera, if I have to, to design websites and, again, if I may, I do, do a pretty darn job designing them.

This article is not meant to be one that is full of my rant. But more so, sharing an experience of web design with fellow newbie’s in the world of web design.

I do not know how you guys start designing, but I, coming from a creative background, require pictures for inspiration still and yes, even today, before I start on the CSS and XHTML, I usually get my web graphics stocks out and start playing with them.

Getting Stock Images for Web Graphics

Out here on the web, there many websites that give away free web graphics stocks. Most of them may be used mostly as inspiration. Why? Because, rest assured most of these would have been used a gazillion times already. But, You can definitely make them your own by using some, any compatible, graphic editor.

I have mentioned some free graphic editing software’s in the resource subheading below.
If you don’t mind spending some dough, there are plenty of websites that offer some amazing web graphics stock images for a small fee. These web graphics stock images are not used often since; yes you guessed it right; these have a price tag to complement them

Creating your own Stock Images for Web Graphics

Well, after all those years of downloading stocks and stealing inspirations, I finally learned making my own! Not the easy way out, I know and Hence this article.

Whilst creating your own stocks for web graphics, I would advise to always keep on thing in mind, Keep It Simple Stupid or simply put remember KISS!

No matter what your niche, or inspiration of business plan is. Your web design graphics should be simple, short and should convey all it has too. It can be fun, snazzy and it can be anything you like or would want, but at the same time keep an eye out for size optimization and color depth or Web colors adaptability.

While creating your own stock for your web design, I would advise starting with a camera and some idea or inspiration on your web design. The best way to get motivated, for a web layout, or design is to start clicking and collecting stock. What this does is motivates you, inspires you both design wise and development wise. After you have clicked a bunch of chic photos, discuss these with your clients, friends, peers, anyone and everyone. Listen to them; they are your best critics. Creating your own stocks for designing your websites is a long and slow process. Be patient.

Web Graphics Stocks Resources

Here are some free stock repositories to hit when you need to ?

Free Web Graphics Stocks at MorgueFile@ www.morguefile.com
Free Web Graphics Stocks @ http://www.killersites.com/photoStock/indexPhotoStock.htm
Free Web Graphics Stocks@ http://www.elated.com/imagekits/
Paid Web Graphics Stocks Repository@ http://www.ablestock.com/en/
Paid Web Graphics Stocks Repository@ http://www.istockphoto.com/index.php
Free Web Graphics Stocks or Extremely Low Prices@ http://www.istockphoto.com/index.php

Graphic Editor Software Resources

Here are some free and paid graphic editor software resources

Freeware Serif Photoplus@ http://www.freeserifsoftware.com/software/photoplus/default.asp
Freeware The GIMP@ http://www.gimp.org/
Freeware PhotoFiltre@ http://photofiltre.free.fr/
Freeware Pixia@ http://park18.wakwak.com/~pixia/
Adobe Photoshop@ www.adobe.com/products/photoshop/
For more Mac and PC Graphic editors@ http://www.ironspider.ca/freetools/grfxeditors.htm