Image Bank: FAQ

What images can I download?
Medium resolution and high resolution images can be downloaded for free from this site. See the downloading instructions for more information.

When do I need permission to use your images?
The Metropolitan Design Center welcomes use of images and grants limited permission for their use without request; except for publications with circulation over 1,000 copies, publications that include over six images, and uses where royalties are received, and for such uses, we ask that our office be contacted for permission terms. In general, we will gladly grant it.

Common uses include; PowerPoint Presentations, Conferences, Student Projects, Installations, Brochures, Websites, and Publications.

As we always grant permission to newspapers using the images, there is no need to ask permission, but please send us a copy.

May I use your images in an installation with a separate credit wall?
You may do so if the credit wall is adjacent to the installation and clearly visible.

How do I credit your images?
All uses must include a credit placed on the same page as the image. For images with a Design Center copyright use: “© Regents of the University of Minnesota. Used with permission" For images in the Special Collections whose copyright is held by others use: "©[name of copyright holder]. Used with permission.” When images are used in digital presentations, such as PowerPoint, this credit must appear on the same slide as the image. For all use as part of printed materials, the Design Center requests two copies of any materials thus produced. For all non-printed uses, please e-mail the Design Center imgbank@umn.edu to inform us of the use.

On all of the downloadable images, there is a reminder to use the credit line and it is easily cropped using Photoshop, or any other image editing software you prefer.

May I overlay graphics over your images?
Yes, as long as the image is credited appropriately, you may overlay graphics as needed.

I can’t find images of the area I am looking for, please help!
Try looking for adjacent areas, or using different search terms. Helpful information on how to search the Image Bank effectively is found here.

When Design Center staff are searching for images, here are their favorite tips for successful searches:

  • Search for images in 2004
  • Search for aerial photographs, at the block scale, in addition to a major land use, or keyword
  • Search for nearby roads
  • Visit the slideshows for similar images

How can I print High Resolution Images?
To print high-resolution images, you have two options:

  1. Arrange to have the image printed by a service:  If you choose this option, your main task is to choose a reputable company that offers the options that you want.  There are many online and local companies that offer this service.  Be sure to choose one that will print from a file. You may have to FTP the file to them, or send it on a CD-ROM due to its large size.
  2. Print the image yourself: If you choose this option, you are limited by the software and hardware that you have at your disposal. For high quality images, make sure that you have a photo printer or plotter and photo quality paper, and follow the manufacturer's instructions.

What questions should I ask an image printing service?

  1. Will the printed photo be archival quality and is this important? Archival quality suggests that the prints will be durable and stable over time and with appropriate use.
  2. What size print can you produce?  Most high-resolution images from the Image Bank are 18MB TIFF files, with a resolution of 3072 x 2048. Most printing services require a resolution of 1600 x 1200 for 20" by 30" prints, so you should be able to get very large images from these files.
  3. Are the images water miscible?  Some printing techniques result in images that will bleed or run if they get a drop of water on them.

Is there any other information on digital images?
For further discussions on how to print and process digital images, please visit The Imaging Resource.

Can I arrange for the Design Center to print images for me?
The Design Center does not sell or provide printed copies of
high-resolution images.

 





1 Ralph Rapson Hall, 89 Church Street S.E., Minneapolis, MN 55455,
Email mdc@umn.edu, Tel. (612) 625-9000, Fax. (612) 626-0600
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Copyright Metropolitan Design Center, 2007. All rights reserved.