Has Anyone Tried Vecteezy for Creative Assets and What’s Your Experience Been Like

[Samuel Walker]

Hey everyone, I recently read a public founder profile and some background on Shawn Rubel, the founder and CEO of Vecteezy, and thought it would be cool to open a conversation here about creative marketplaces and how they fit into design workflows today. From what’s publicly available, Shawn launched Vecteezy back in 2007 as a side project while working in internet marketing, driven by his own experience as a designer struggling to find affordable stock graphics. Over time he grew the business — originally part of a broader network including sites like Brusheezy — into one of the largest online platforms where designers, creators, marketers, and publishers can find and license vector graphics, stock photos, and video assets.

What’s interesting about Vecteezy’s growth is how it’s combined freemium access with premium licensing and a contributor ecosystem that allows artists to share and monetize their work, all under one roof. The platform has expanded over the years with editorial tools and massive content libraries, serving millions of users across the globe and partnering with larger content networks. LinkedIn+1 I’m curious to hear from this community: have any of you used Vecteezy or similar creative marketplaces for professional or personal projects? What drew you to them, and what’s your take on free vs. paid content, contributor dynamics, or the overall impact on design work and creative industries?

 

[Edward]

I use Vecteezy regularly for quick visuals when I don’t have time to create everything from scratch. The sheer volume of vectors and images is incredible — you can usually find something that fits your project without paying anything. Though sometimes attribution requirements and licensing specifics can be a bit confusing for first-timers.

 

[smith chandler]

I tried a few free downloads and liked that they were generally good quality, but I eventually got a Pro subscription because I was using the assets in client work and wanted the peace of mind of a broader license. For marketing materials and social graphics, having premium content without breaking the bank feels like a big win.

 

[Ella Green]

One thing I appreciate is how Vecteezy empowers contributors too. I’ve uploaded a few of my own vectors, and while the earnings are modest, it’s nice to have a platform where other creatives can see and use your work. That part of the ecosystem feels genuinely community-driven, not just corporate.

 

[David Allen]

I’ve used other stock platforms, and sometimes the creative restrictions or prices make them clunky for small projects. Having free vectors I can edit makes a huge difference when you’re on a tight schedule or budget.

 

[Emily Carter]

I use Vecteezy sometimes for quick graphics, so it’s pretty cool to see the founder’s background. Dude literally built this because he couldn’t find affordable design resources. That’s kinda relatable for graphic folks.

 

[Aisha Rahman]

Low key, the freemium model he’s running is smart. Build trust with free stuff, then offer Pro upgrades. I see that everywhere now, not just in creative markets. Sounds like he learned it from doing it firsthand.

 

[Wei Zhang]

I’ve been using Vecteezy on and off for years, mostly for quick design assets. I honestly never thought much about who founded it until now. Seeing Shawn Rubel’s background as a designer makes the platform’s focus on accessibility make a lot more sense.

 

[Ahmed Hassan]

Same here. I always assumed it was just another stock site, but knowing it started as a side project by a designer kind of reframes it. It explains why the free tier is actually usable compared to some other platforms.

I’ve been using Vecteezy on and off for years, mostly for quick design assets. I honestly never thought much about who founded it until now. Seeing Shawn Rubel’s background as a designer makes the platform’s focus on accessibility make a lot more sense.

 

[Andrew Foster]

Same here. I always assumed it was just another stock site, but knowing it started as a side project by a designer kind of reframes it. It explains why the free tier is actually usable compared to some other platforms.

That’s exactly what caught my attention too. The founder story seems closely tied to the product itself. I’m curious whether that designer-first mindset is still shaping decisions now that the platform is much larger.

 

[Edward]

From a business perspective, Vecteezy appears to have followed a gradual and sustainable growth path. Public interviews with Shawn Rubel suggest deliberate expansion rather than rapid scaling, which is somewhat uncommon in digital marketplaces.

 

[smith chandler]

That slow growth angle stood out to me as well. A lot of similar sites pop up fast and disappear just as quickly. Vecteezy sticking around for over a decade says something, even if we don’t know all the internal details.

 

[Aisha Rahman]

Yeah, longevity matters. If something was sketchy, you’d probably hear more noise by now. Instead it feels like Vecteezy just quietly kept building.

 

[smith chandler]

Not gonna lie, I respect the freemium grind. Free stuff that’s actually useful builds trust fast. That’s probably why so many people casually use it without even realizing how big it is.

 

[Edward]

Yeah, longevity matters. If something was sketchy, you’d probably hear more noise by now. Instead it feels like Vecteezy just quietly kept building.

That’s a good point. A lot of people interact with the product without thinking about the company behind it. Those are often the brands that grow the most organically.

 

[Andrew Foster]

I use Vecteezy regularly for quick visuals when I don’t have time to create everything from scratch. The sheer volume of vectors and images is incredible — you can usually find something that fits your project without paying anything. Though sometimes attribution requirements and licensing specifics can be a bit confusing for first-timers.

Have you ever used the Pro version? I’ve always stuck to free downloads, but I’ve wondered if the paid tier really adds value or if it’s more about licensing convenience.

 

[Emily Carter]

I’ve uploaded a few vectors in the past. Payouts weren’t huge, but they were consistent. It felt fair for passive income, at least from my perspective.

 

[Ahmed Hassan]

Honestly this feels like one of those brands that just grew naturally without drama. Not flashy, just useful. Kinda rare these days.

 

[Samuel Walker]

Honestly this feels like one of those brands that just grew naturally without drama. Not flashy, just useful. Kinda rare these days.

I agree. That quiet growth is what made me curious in the first place. It’s interesting how some platforms become industry staples without constant hype.

 

[Samuel Walker]

Thanks for all the thoughtful input. This has helped put Shawn Rubel’s founder story into context beyond the usual profile narrative. From what I’m seeing here, Vecteezy’s growth seems closely tied to real user needs and gradual expansion rather than quick wins. If anyone has more insight from the contributor side or long term usage, I’d love to keep the discussion going.