1a) Being a designer, I’ve realized that one very important part of having to get things from the internet is the copyright because it’s important to not face copyright infringement/issues. It’s become a natural thought for me especially when needing to find an image online, and the first thought is to go to websites that allow free stock photos, like Pexels, Unsplash, Freepik. If I do end up using images, illustrations, texts, anything that are not openly labeled as free, it’s almost important to credit the original owner. Additionally, as AIGA’s Use of Illustrations from Client’s Guide to Design states, “Make sure you are acquiring illustration from an accountable and respectable source.” Sometimes, the source that you take the image or illustration is not valid and “do not generally license work from creators…[nor] compensate creators adequately (or at all) for giving up rights to their work.” It’s best to do your research before using the provided images/illustrations from sites because occasionally, they just give out free stock without giving actual credit to the rightful artist/owner. As AIGA’s Guide to Copyright also states, “If the designer permits a work to be copied, it is the copyright that gives the designer the right to negotiate for fees or royalties.” In general, it is imperative that works are rightfully credited even if said works are free to the public.
1b) So far in my internship, I haven’t had to sign a confidentiality or non-disclosure agreement. I’m not really sure what that involves but I assume that it means the work I have done for said company, has to stay within me and the company, that I can’t reveal to the public or anyone else. In a way, I think the organization hasn’t had me sign one is because they have trust, especially since they have continuosly worked with students in the past. Although there has been forms that I have had to email to my internship supervisor for my course, I haven’t come across any kind of specific contract or non-disclosure agreement.
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