Citations and reference images

This dictionary shows design styles and techniques through real works, and never presents self-made or AI-generated images as reference works. Reference images fall into three legal categories; clearly labeled AI interpretation images are a separate, fourth kind.

1. Public domain and CC0

Practice
Works whose copyright has expired, or whose rights were waived. No attribution is legally required, but we credit the source and the work as scholarly practice.

2. Creative Commons (CC BY / CC BY-SA and similar)

Practice
Used under their license terms. These images carry the license name at the end of the credit and link to the page of record.

3. Quotation (Article 32, Japanese Copyright Act)

Purpose
This site is operated from Japan. For criticism, study and education of design styles, we quote works under Article 32 of the Japanese Copyright Act. The written entry is the principal subject; the image is subordinate material identifying what is discussed.
Method
Quoted images are kept at low resolution (640px or less on the long edge), unmodified, credited with “quoted from …” and linked to the page of record.
Scope
Used only where no freely licensed material exists — contemporary UI design languages, works still in copyright.

AI interpretation images

Practice
Where no lawful reference image exists, an entry may show an AI-generated interpretation for browsing convenience. These images are always labeled “AI-generated interpretation — not a reference work”, never mixed with reference credits, never used as the entry’s representative image, and excluded from reference listings and sitemaps. They depict a generic reading of the style and imitate no specific artist, brand or work.

Removal and correction requests

Contact
Rights holders and their representatives can reach us at hello@indexstyle.org. We will promptly remove, replace or correct upon verification.

Back to the dictionary