iStockphoto - Stock Illustration Training Manual

7.0 - Needed Files

Take a quick look through the illustrations we have on our site. We have a lot of certain types of images. There is nothing wrong with these files – we just have an awful lot of them. Provide something more unusual - or sought after - and it might make the most downloaded page.

Here are some of the files that we do and don't need. Please note that this is not a definitive list, and our inspectors may reject illustrations at any time if they feel we have enough of a particular subject.

Illustrations that iStock needs:

Original Concepts

Leave it to others to illustrate the obvious.

Represented Professions

Librarian, plumber, mechanic, even illustrator, our 'needed' list for professions list goes on and on.

Lifestyle

Day-to-day activities, bar scenes, special occasions: lifestyle illustration is a niche market begging to be filled.

Hand Drawn Artwork

Dust off that sketch pad: hand drawn artwork translates very well into vector formats and has a unique, personal feel.

Original Holiday and Seasonal Concepts

Try putting your own personal spin on a holiday theme.

Family Themes

We've got lots of cute couples on dates, take it to the next level by drawing them 10 years in the future: with their kids.

Illustrations that iStock does NOT need:

Simple Icon Sets

We've got boring, geometric and simple covered: many, many times over.

Maps, Globes and Flags

Unless your map or flag illustration is presented in a unique and creative way, chances are it's probably in our library already.

Silhouettes

It may have started as a simple trace; try taking it to the next level.

Overly Simplistic Compositions (squares, circles, stars, etc)

We all have to start somewhere, it doesn't mean we need to share it.

Floral Ornaments and Swirly Lines

We’ve got ‘em… Lots of ‘em. Try putting your talents towards drawing something unique instead.

Basic Patterns, Backgrounds and Borders

Fun to experiment, but they're not quite stock.

Simple Text Effects

We all have fonts of our own. Try creating something a designer would want to put their own message on.

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