Creative assets are crucial in marketing, graphic design, and content production. Without them, there is no doubt it would not be easy to sell or launch a product online.
All kinds of content would just be… boring.
In this article, we’ll break it down for you in simple terms, explaining what creative assets are, the different types, their importance, and where you can find them.
Table of Contents
Creative Assets Meaning
Creative assets are digital files that act as the building blocks for any product or brand. The most common asset formats include images, videos, logos, graphics, audio clips, fonts, and other media files. They help to build trust, spread awareness, and market your product.
These assets often include a wide range of elements that contribute to the visual and aesthetic aspects of a project, product, or brand. To do successful marketing, you will need to have different types and formats of creative assets.
What are Creative Asset types?
Creative assets come in numerous forms, each with its own purpose and message. Some common types include:
- Images: High-resolution photographs, typically edited and containing extra graphic elements to visually convey a message or enhance the design of a project.
- Graphics & Illustrations: Source files, templates, and vector graphics are used by designers to create visuals for print and digital media.
- Videos: Video clips, animations, and motion graphics that add dynamic and engaging elements to multimedia projects.
- Audio: Sound effects, music, voiceovers, and other audio elements that enhance the auditory experience of a project, such as in videos or podcasts.
- Fonts: Various typefaces and font files that contribute to the typography and branding.
- Logos and Branding Assets: Logos, brand guidelines, slogans, and other assets that define a company or brand’s visual identity.
- Text and Copy: Written content, including articles, blog posts, social media copy, and marketing materials.
Examples of use
Here are some examples of creative assets in everyday use:
Social media ads
If you have a product or service that you plan to advertise online, you will need creative assets. The most common creative assets used in social media advertising are images and video content.
Engaging visuals, videos, and catchy text make social media ads stand out and drive traffic to your website.
Newsletter
One of my favorite newsletters is MorningBrew (didn’t sponsor me here, I just simply enjoy their newsletter:)
Everything including their logo, visuals, fonts, and colors make a bunch of creative assets that help to create a visual consistency for their newsletters, while also making it enjoyable and easier for subscribers to read.
Overall, creative assets enhance the look and feel of email marketing, improve engagement time, and increase open and click-through rates.
This Blog
This blog contains digital assets too. You can find them on the homepage as well as on some pages/posts.
You will quickly notice our color palette and visuals that strengthen our blog content.
Images, graphics, and fonts come together to create a visually appealing and informative website.
Why creative assets are important
Creative assets play a pivotal role in the success of creative projects for several reasons:
- Visual Appeal: They enhance the visual appeal of a project, making it more engaging and attractive to the audience.
- Consistency: Creative assets help maintain brand consistency, ensuring that all materials reflect a cohesive and recognizable identity.
- Efficiency: Reusable assets save time and effort, especially when designing marketing campaigns or websites.
- Communication: Visual and audio assets can convey complex messages quickly and effectively.
- Emotion and Engagement: They evoke emotions and encourage audience engagement, critical for marketing and storytelling.
Best places to find assets
Now that you know what creative assets are, the other question might be on your mind:
Where and how to get them?
Here are 3 popular ways to get digital assets that will help you build your brand identity:
Envato Elements
Envato Elements is a versatile platform that offers a vast library of creative assets for designers, marketers, and content creators. The platform is subscription-based, starting from $16.50 per month, and offering unlimited downloads.
Benefits
Envato Elements is an ‘all-inclusive’ place for creative professionals. Subscribers can download as many assets as they need without worrying about individual costs, making it a cost-effective choice for those working on multiple projects.
I would say Envato Elements is one of the best platforms in terms of the quantity of assets you can choose from for a fixed monthly fee.m
Shutterstock
Shutterstock is a leading stock photo and multimedia platform trusted by professionals worldwide.
This platform is best known for its high-quality stock photos but also offers other digital assets, such as vectors, AI-generated images, videos, music, graphic design templates, and much more.
However, this platform can get pricey.
Benefits
Shutterstock’s extensive collection ensures that you’ll find assets for nearly any project. The platform also provides customizable plans, allowing users to purchase assets individually or subscribe for ongoing access.
Pixabay
Pixabay is a popular platform that provides a vast collection of high-quality, royalty-free images and multimedia assets contributed by a global community of creators.
The best thing – it’s free.
Benefits
As I just mentioned, Pixabay offers royalty-free assets. A shoutout to the author is always appreciated.
Overall, the platform offers a wide range of assets available for both personal and commercial use, making it an excellent choice for creators on a budget.
FAQ
What are creative assets used for?
Creative assets are used to enhance visual and auditory elements in various creative projects, such as marketing campaigns, web design, filmmaking, and more. They make content engaging, convey messages effectively, and maintain brand consistency.
What are the most common types of creative assets?
The most common types of creative assets include images (photos and graphics), videos, audio, graphic design elements, fonts, logos, 3D models, written content, icons, and UI elements.