The cultural shift toward real

Audiences now value storytelling that feels genuine and relatable. This trend rewards creators who embrace experimentation and let personality shine through, rather than trying to produce something flawless.

Analog nostalgia

Film grain, scratches, and vintage filters are back in style. Like vinyl records, these lo-fi visuals have a more human and authentic feel. For audiences, they bring a sense of comfort and familiarity, reminding people of old home movies and TV shows. This makes content feel warmer than polished digital video. From music videos shot on VHS to short films with 16mm overlays, the analog look gives viewers the sense they’re watching something timeless and authentic.

Social media fatigue

With 40% of videos on major social media platforms now made by AI, people are noticing content that feels real more than ever. A polished shot can feel more like an ad than a real moment. Imperfect clips with uneven lighting, shaky movement, or rough audio feel closer to everyday life and are easier to relate to. For filmmakers, this is good news too. Lower production value means less time on set and less money spent while still connecting better with audiences.

Early internet and home video influence

The grainy charm of early webcams, pixelated YouTube uploads, and awkward framing have grown into their own style. Many Gen Z creators copy these lo-fi quirks to give their content a nostalgic feel and connect with audiences who grew up online. For creators, this style is practical, too. Faster production enables them to stay ahead of social media trends.

How to get the aesthetic of imperfection

Creating the look of imperfection means intentionally using small flaws in camera work, lighting, texture, editing, and sound to make your content feel more authentic, relatable, and alive for viewers.

Camera work

When the camera shakes, zooms in suddenly, or frames something in a way that feels a little “off”, the video feels more real. These small “mistakes” copy the way people move in real life, which helps your viewers feel like they are there in the moment.

Lighting

Instead of using studio lights and softboxes, you can play around with sunlight, shadows, and even the lamps already in the room. The video will look less perfect, but feel more natural, making the scene feel more like a real place.

Texture

Adding film grain, noise, fuzz, blur, or overlays can change how your video feels, making the picture look less perfect and more human. These effects remind people of old movies and home videos, adding a sense of familiarity and warmth.

Editing and pacing

When a video uses jump cuts, small mistakes, or changes that don’t line up perfectly, it can feel messy but exciting. These editing choices break away from the smooth style and give your video energy and personality.

Sound design

Including ambient room tone, mic pops, or leaving in a laugh or stumble makes audio feel more alive. These sounds make the scene feel real and help people connect with what’s happening, as if they were there in person.

Why raw connects and how creators use it

From online influencers to filmmakers, both big and small brands are using raw, unpolished content to create a sense of trust, emotional connection, and authenticity that stands out in crowded feeds.

Trust and relatability

With raw content, viewers feel like they’re seeing the real you, not a curated façade. That trust translates into deeper loyalty and higher engagement. Small brands in particular are embracing this by filming behind-the-scenes clips on their phones, capturing team members, day-to-day processes, and products in progress. These lo-fi glimpses invite audiences into the room, creating a sense of authenticity that polished campaigns can rarely match.

Anti-advertising

In a crowded feed, polished content often screams “ad.” Unpolished content, by contrast, feels more like a friend’s post — and that makes people lean in instead of scrolling past. 

Larger brands have even begun experimenting with this approach, layering in shaky handheld footage or deliberately rough edits to bring a raw, organic feel to campaigns that would otherwise seem overly manufactured.

The Lululemon campaign featuring Joan MacDonald used splitscreen, fast edits, and lots of film grain to create an energetic and relatable feel. The video used photos and phone-filmed clips on a pale pink background, giving it a VHS-style vibe.

Emotional immediacy

Imperfections — a shaky laugh, a quick pan, a clipped breath — make a video feel alive in the moment. They create presence and immediacy that’s hard to replicate with heavily produced content. YouTubers play with this dynamic through jump cuts, unpolished B-roll, and off-the-cuff commentary. At the same time, TikTok creators sometimes go as far as to downgrade video quality on purpose to mimic the lo-fi, filmed-at-home aesthetic. Both platforms thrive on this sense of intimacy, making rawness part of the brand.

Algorithm advantage

Feed-based platforms are designed to reward content that feels native, and authentic-looking clips often perform better than glossy, overtly “produced” videos. Musicians have leaned into this by creating VHS-style lyric videos or stripped-back performance clips. The DIY aesthetic not only connects fans to a more intimate vibe but also accelerates the content cycle, as these formats require significantly less production time. That speed allows creators to stay present in the feed, which is exactly what the algorithms favor.

Artlist picks — Perfect is dead collection

Artlist has handpicked sets of footage, music, sound effects, and templates that embody the imperfect-but-powerful look.

Imperfect stock footage

This collection features handheld B-roll, gritty textures, and authentic moments that bring a natural, unpolished feel to your projects. It’s perfect for intros, transitions, or cutting raw sequences into a polished timeline.

Check out the Perfect Is Dead Footage collection now

Raw music 

This collection includes lo-fi beats, hazy synths, and rough acoustic takes that add an intimate, unpolished vibe to your videos. It’s great for vlogs, indie projects, or any video where “too polished” feels wrong.

Check out the Perfect Is Dead music collection now

Lo-fi sound effects

If you’re looking to enhance authenticity and bring more grit to your project, this is the perfect place to start. It features ambient noise, mic pops, static, and raw textures that make scenes feel more real and immersive, ready to layer into your footage.

Check out the Perfect Is Dead SFX collection now

Gritty templates

These gritty template packs give you everything you need to create a “perfectly imperfect” look with ease. 

Use Ink Stamp to add rugged stamped titles that give your text a raw, handcrafted feel, or try Ink Flow for messy transitions layered with analog texture that bring energy and unpredictability to your edits. 

Shapes Animation adds playful, imperfect shapes that work perfectly for retro-style sequences, while Bright Glitched Vaporwave Titles deliver nostalgic 90s lo-fi vibes that instantly set the mood.

For more dramatic effects, Time Machine applies analog distortion and time-warp effects to footage, giving your edits a tactile, vintage feel. Together, these templates let you quickly craft projects that feel alive, authentic, and visually striking, all while maintaining the flexibility to mix and match elements to suit your style.

Perfectly imperfect

The art of imperfection is here to stay. Unfiltered visuals connect on a deeper, more human level. For creators, that connection is priceless. This isn’t just a passing trend, it’s the future of authentic content.
The good news is that you don’t need to reinvent the wheel. With Artlist’s Perfect Is Dead collections, you can download ready-made footage, music, sound effects, and templates that embrace the raw aesthetic of today’s content culture.

FAQs

הפוסט Perfect is dead – why authentic content wins today הופיע לראשונה ב-Artlist Blog.

That’s why we created Artlist Original.

Artlist Original is a collection of exclusive, high-quality creative assets — royalty-free music, footage, sound effects, and templates — available only to Artlist subscribers. It’s built for creators who want more than just stock assets. It’s for artists and brands who want to make something that feels unique, authentic, and truly their own. 

Created with purpose, guided by insight

Artlist Original isn’t just about creating beautiful content. It’s about creating the right content.

We start by listening to our community and global industry trends. The Artlist Original team uses platform data and industry insights to determine what’s relevant, what’s missing, and what’s coming next. The team follows trends and innovation in video making and spots artists with a unique style they want to work with, all with the video creator in mind. This results in a library that reflects the real needs of modern creators and creative teams. 

Original content is curated into collections, playlists, and categories designed to help you discover the right asset quickly. Whether you need a dreamy montage sequence, a punchy intro template, or an ambient track to set the mood, we make it easy to find exactly what fits your project.

See Artlist Original in action

Everything in Artlist Original is designed to meet real creators’ needs. Here are just a few favorites, made exclusively for Artlist subscribers.

Featured music: Sounds that drive emotion

Whether you’re editing a heartfelt short film or a high-energy sports montage, Music Original Music has tracks made to move your audience.

Check out these exclusive tracks from our Artlist Original playlists:

Cinematic footage, shot worldwide

Artlist Original Footage is captured on location across the globe, giving creators access to scenes they’d never get on traditional stock sites.

Underwater Cinematography 

Alfredo Barroso’s journey from a resourceful Cuban dreamer to a world-renowned underwater cinematographer is a testament to passion and perseverance. Overcoming early fears and limited resources, he taught himself to dive and film, eventually capturing breathtaking marine life for the BBC, National Geographic, and more. His Artlist collection — Beautiful Ocean Life — showcases the ocean’s raw beauty, inviting creators to dive into his vivid underwater world. 

Templates designed to save time and elevate quality

With Artlist Original Templates, you get access to easy drag-and-drop designs for intros, lower thirds, transitions, and more — built by motion design pros.

Try these Original Template favorites:

Captured around the world, crafted by experts

We don’t stay in one place. Our teams travel across the globe to capture visuals, sounds, and stories that feel fresh and different. From gritty cityscapes to epic nature shots, from quiet moments to high-energy action — everything is shot, recorded, or designed by the Artlist Original team and our talented artists.

It’s exclusive. It’s original. And you won’t find it anywhere else.

The Tuvalu Collection 

This rare collection was created by creators who travelled across the world to capture this special, remote, sinking island. Artists captured the creative spirit of remarkable people and places, and we then curated all the sights and sounds into exclusive collections, available only on the Artlist catalog. 

Meet the Artlist Original team

Artlist Original is led by creators who understand what it takes to bring a vision to life.

• Artlist Original Music & SFX is led by Ori Winokur, producing tracks that span genres, moods, and moments, always original, always royalty-free. 

With a background in music from a young age, Ori has been a composer, writer, sound engineer, manager, studio owner, and even performed with his band Coolooloosh. Ori established himself as one of Israel’s leading indie producers, and joined Artlist early on, in 2017, to help establish what later became Artlist Original. 

• Artlist Original Footage is headed by Sharon Thales Refael, who leads global productions to capture cinematic, high-quality visuals.

Known to all as Thales, Sharon is the Content Creative Director at Artlist. With a background at leading ad agencies and a trophy shelf featuring Cannes Lions, Clio, Eurobest, and more, he brings serious creative firepower to the Artlist catalog. Outside the office, he’s a dad, muralist, illustrator, and occasional surfer.

• Artlist Original Templates, led by Itamar Leopold, creates easy-to-use, exclusive motion design-based assets in collaboration with top global designers and animators.

As Content Creative Director at Motion Array and Artlist, Itamar brings many years of experience in the industry. Specializing in motion design, he has worked with some of the greatest in the industry, including Ariel Costa, PES Motion Studio, and Tina Touli. 

These teams work closely with artists and collaborators to make sure everything we release is polished, professional, and purpose-built for creators like you.

Supporting artists. Empowering creators.

Artlist Original is about more than just content. It’s about community.

By working with musicians, filmmakers, and designers, we support the people behind the assets, helping them grow their careers while giving creators access to the best work out there.

When you use Artlist Original, you’re not just leveling up your content, you’re also joining a movement of creators supporting creators.

Check out this interview with Duce Williams, one of our most popular Artlist Original musicians. 

These artists create from experience, not algorithms, bringing raw emotion and real stories to every Artlist Original asset and exclusive collection they create. 

Make your next project original

With exclusive access for Artlist subscribers, Artlist Original gives you the tools to elevate your work, save time, and unlock creative freedom, without the worry of licensing headaches or generic results.

Explore Artlist Original today, and see what’s possible when content is truly original.

הפוסט Artlist Original: Exclusive royalty-free content made for creators, by creators הופיע לראשונה ב-Artlist Blog.

Today, we’re diving into what bokeh is, how it works, and how you can use it in your work to create a more immersive, cinematic experience.

Bokeh isn’t just eye candy either — it sets the mood. It helps isolate your subject, making them pop while the rest of the frame fades into a soft, cinematic backdrop. That dreamy look can add emotion, warmth, or a sense of intimacy to your video. Whether you’re shooting a romantic close-up, a moody night scene, or just trying to add a bit of polish, bokeh brings a visual style that feels intentional, professional, and seriously engaging.

Why are bokeh effects used in video editing and cinematography?

The bokeh effect is a go-to tool in cinematography for creating mood, guiding focus, and adding visual depth. Directors and DPs use it to isolate subjects, soften backgrounds, and draw the viewer’s eye exactly where they want it. In editing, while you can’t “add” true bokeh if it wasn’t captured in-camera, editors can enhance it with color grading, vignettes, or subtle blur effects to push that dreamy, immersive feel even further.

You see bokeh everywhere in classic and modern cinema. In Her (2013), director Spike Jonze uses bokeh to create an intimate, futuristic softness that mirrors the emotional tone of the film, especially in the night scenes filled with glowing city lights. 

Meanwhile, La La Land (2016) uses it like a visual signature, turning LA’s cityscape into a blurred sea of color and light during romantic moments. 

Another standout example is In the Mood for Love (2000) by Wong Kar-wai, where soft focus, shadows, and blurred lights are used to evoke longing, mystery, and emotional distance — proof that bokeh isn’t just beautiful, it’s storytelling in disguise.

How to capture bokeh footage

The trick to capturing great bokeh effects is to understand the various factors that all play a key role in creating that dreamy blur. Here’s what you need to know. 

Lighting tricks

Bokeh loves lights. Point light sources — like string lights, car headlights, candles, or neon signs — work best. Place them in the background and slightly out of focus to create those signature soft orbs. For extra pop, shoot during golden hour or use practical lights (lamps, bulbs, etc.) in the scene. Backlighting or side-lighting your subject can help separate them from the background, making the bokeh stand out even more.

Best bokeh lenses

Fast prime lenses are your best friend here. You want to look for lenses with wide apertures like f/1.2, f/1.4, or f/1.8 — these let in more light and create a much shallower depth of field, which is key for bokeh. Popular options include the 50mm f/1.8 (aka the “nifty fifty”) or an 85mm f/1.4 for portraits. Also, lenses with more aperture blades will tend to produce smoother, rounder bokeh.

Shutter speed

Shutter speed doesn’t directly affect bokeh, but it does play a role in your overall exposure. You want to keep it balanced with your ISO and aperture. If you’re filming video, aim for the 180-degree shutter rule (shutter speed = double your frame rate). For photos, just make sure it’s not too slow, unless you want some motion blur.

Aperture

This is the big one, as you may have guessed from the advice on lenses. The wider the aperture (lower the f-number), the shallower the depth of field, and the creamier the bokeh. Stick to f/2.8 or lower to really see the effect. Just remember to be careful with focus — when the depth of field is that shallow, even a slight shift can throw your subject out of focus.

Positioning

The key to good bokeh in photography and cinematography is to keep your subject far from the background and close to the camera. The more distance between your subject and those lights or background elements, the stronger the blur. Also, frame your shot so background light sources are visible, but not overpowering. It’s always good to play with your angles — you’d be surprised how much a small shift can change the quality of the bokeh.

Editing tips to enhance the bokeh effect

In post-production, you can’t create real bokeh from scratch, but you can crank up the “bokeh vibe”. For example, you can boost contrast slightly to make light sources pop. Or use selective blur or depth-of-field filters to soften the background more. You can even add subtle glow or light bloom effects in tools like Adobe Premiere Pro, DaVinci Resolve, or Lightroom for your photos. Just don’t overdo it — bokeh should feel natural, not forced.

How to create a bokeh effect with a smartphone

Yep, you can still get great bokeh footage with your phone. Use portrait mode on your camera, and you’ll find that it’ll simulate a shallow depth of field using software. For the best results, shoot in low light with small light sources in the background. Some apps (like Halide or ProCamera) can also give you more manual control if your phone supports it. And for editing? Apps like Snapseed or Lightroom Mobile can help soften backgrounds or enhance glow around lights to push that bokeh look further.

Creative ways to use bokeh effects in your videos

There are a number of ways you may want to utilize bokeh stock footage and templates in your video projects.

As a background 

You can use bokeh footage behind titles, logos, or motion graphics to add depth without distraction. It keeps things dynamic without stealing the spotlight.

For transitions

Use pre-made bokeh transition templates to add a smooth, professional touch between scenes. They’re perfect for wedding videos, promos, or anything that needs a soft, elegant flow — no heavy editing required. Just drag, drop, and done.

To set the mood

If you drop in some slow-moving bokeh lights into your edit, then you can instantly bring warmth, romance, mystery, or a dreamy vibe to a scene. This could be perfect for seasonal videos around the holiday season.

As a texture layer

Bokeh can also be used as a texture layer. You can blend it over footage with low opacity to create a rich, atmospheric feel, especially in music videos, wedding films, or emotional montages.

In social content

Bokeh is always great for intros, reels, and background loops that need a touch of elegance or visual interest without getting too busy or distracting.

Bokeh: both art and tool

Bokeh isn’t just a technical trick — it’s a creative choice. Whether you’re capturing it in-camera with the right lens and lighting, or enhancing it in post with subtle edits, bokeh helps you shape the mood and focus of your scene. It’s one of those rare effects that’s both simple and powerful — easy to experiment with, and endlessly customizable.

So, go play. Try different lenses, play with distance, mess around with light. Don’t be afraid to push your edits a little further to find a look that feels right for your project. And if you’re looking for inspiration or ready-made assets, check out Artlist — you’ll find cinematic footage with gorgeous bokeh and editable overlays that’ll take your visuals to the next level.

הפוסט Understanding the bokeh effect הופיע לראשונה ב-Artlist Blog.

Make it Move

This spring, street artist Luke Smile will transform a wall in Shoreditch, London, into a street artwork. The UK-based artist has teamed up with Artlist to turn his work into a digitized typography template available exclusively in their catalog. Together, the collaboration will blur the lines between the physical and digital and offer Artlist users an unprecedented opportunity to integrate authentic street art into their video projects. The collaboration is called Make it Move. 

Head to the Great Eastern Street Gallery from March 11th to March 16th to catch the artist in action. That’s where you’ll find Luke Smile armed with spray cans, transforming a wall from a blank canvas into a captivating typographic artwork. Luke’s work highlights the importance of street art as a vehicle for creativity and innovation, and a tool for social commentary and public engagement. By turning his work into downloadable templates, Artlist hopes to encourage video creators to use the highest-quality templates made by leading artists and push the boundaries of their imagination. 

Becoming an artist

Luke Smile is no stranger to pushing the boundaries of innovation. Since he first put pen to paper, he hasn’t stopped drawing. While at school, he’d draw in his notepads, sketching out characters or landscapes and then moving onto big, bold lettering in a range of typographies.

As a teen, he’d head into London, watching in awe as local street artists transformed a boring old wall into a kaleidoscope of color and meaning. “Back then, it was so hard to paint murals in London,” Luke says. “People would always tell you not to do it.”

Nevertheless, he started graffitiing around his local neighborhood, drawn to big, bold lettering that took up space and caught the eye. Art felt more like a compulsion than anything, so he immersed himself in his art lessons in high school. He then studied graphic design at college, followed by a degree at Ravensbourne University in London.

When he graduated, he took on graphic design roles in agencies in London but couldn’t ignore the urge to get outside and create on larger canvases. He started painting murals on the streets of London using a font he’d created called Smile Sans, which soon caught the eye of Karl Lagerfeld’s design team. They asked Luke to use his skills to hand-paint names of European cities on their tote bags, which is when the penny dropped, and Luke realized he could do this as a full-time job. After he painted 650 of Karl’s tote bags, the commissions started rolling in from a range of clients across various industries, including Amazon, Barbour International, Beefeater Gin, Paypal, Vans, and Virgin.

But through it all, Luke never lost sight of his first love: street art. “The culture’s completely changed since 12 years ago,” he says. “Now, everywhere you look, there’s color, there’s paint everywhere.”

The creative process

Luke has spent years perfecting his technique and applies his tried-and-tested formula to every wall he paints. 

“If I’m painting a mural, I’ll check out the shape and think about what word or phrase would fit best on to this size canvas,” he says. “Once I choose a phrase I can work with, I have the whole alphabet of Smile Sans 3D printed, so I can trace the compositions exactly as I want, whether they overlap or fit tight together.”

Luke will bring studio lights with him to form shadows on the wall, and then he’ll use his iPad to test out color palettes, using mock-ups to see what works. He’s ready to get to work once he has his stencils and color palette. 

Even by Luke’s standards, this collaboration with Artlist is unique. “I haven’t really done anything like this,” he says. “I’m painting this mural three times to get different images and make it into an animation. I’m excited because I’ve always wanted to do more moving images, and I’ve never painted over something I’ve already painted, so it’s going to be really interesting to see how this pans out. I know it’s going to be great.”

Liran Friedman, Head of Brand Marketing at Artlist, added, “Artlist is dedicated to empowering brands and creators by providing them with the highest quality creative assets, made by real artists, to bring their visions to life. Partnering with Luke Smile is a natural extension of our mission, enabling us to bring the raw, unfiltered art of the streets into the digital realm, for our users to explore, create, and make it their own.”

Luke will also have the added buzz of seeing the entire Artlist community use his templates within their own creative work. His mural will be reused and recreated hundreds of times in various ways, which will be a totally new use of his art and inspiring for both the artist and the creators. “This collaboration with Artlist allows my art to exceed physical boundaries and reach a global audience. It’s about empowering all creators to experiment and express themselves in new ways”. 

Blurring the lines

Street art used to be for outsiders. Back in the ‘80s and ‘90s, street artists created a counter-culture that deviated from what they’d find in art galleries around the world. Impressionism, expressionism, neoclassicism; that was for the indoor galleries. Outdoors, there was free rein. Here, the only constraint was time, and as long as the artists could get through their paintings without getting arrested, their mission was a success.

In terms of access, street art was a leveler. Anyone and everyone could see it, whether they wanted to or not, and it was free. Indoor art in fancy museums was reserved for those who could afford to go and see it. However, over the last two decades, that has completely changed. Now, thanks to the likes of Banksy, Cornbread, and Daze, street art is considered fine art. Some works sell for tens of millions of dollars, so opportunities for street artists have blown wide open. It’s much more acceptable to collaborate with the institutions that initially rejected the form and to work with big brands, advertisers, and artists. The possibilities for street artists have totally opened up, and Luke’s work is now seen as pop culture rather than counterculture.

“A lot more graffiti artists are moving down the fine art route, and it’s all becoming much more accepted across the board,” Luke says. “Everywhere you look now, artists, brands, and advertisers are using this urban style of art. It’s more accepted and thought of as cool, but until recently, people looked down their noses at it. Now they’re more open-minded about this style of art.”

Make it your own

If you’re in London this March, head over to Shoreditch to check out Luke Smile in action. To use his creation as a digitized template, you can sign up to Artlist. You’ll also get access to thousands more high-quality, customizable templates that are versatile, easy to use, and suitable for many creative projects, including video production, graphic design, and digital art.  

Get unlimited high-quality assets for your videos.

Start Now

הפוסט Artlist X Luke Smile: Art that moves into your videos הופיע לראשונה ב-Artlist Blog.

Naturally, as part of these celebrations, you may find yourself needing to make use of a video template. As we see the new year in, it’s a great opportunity to reach out to friends and family with your well wishes, as well as clients. Additionally, it’s also a great opportunity to create plenty of content for social media, and video templates can make all of this a lot easier for you. Let’s take a look at what new year templates are and how they can help you as we move into 2024.

What is a new year template?

A new year template is a specific type of video template that helps you celebrate the new year in some way. Video templates are a predesigned set of elements (usually in the form of graphics, text, and animations) that give you a starting foundation for creating a professional video. Rather than starting from scratch every time (which could take a lot of time and effort), using a video template can help streamline your workflow and plan your content, making it a lot easier for you to contact and reach everyone you want to.

What can I use a Happy New Year template for?

Regarding the new year specifically, you may use video templates to help you in several ways.

E-cards and greetings

Wanting to wish someone a Happy New Year? Whether it’s a friend, family member, or a business client, a Happy New Year template could be a great idea, especially if you have a lot of people to reach out to! By using a new year card template, you’ll be able to create something that looks professional and stands out, can be tailored to each individual, and saves you a load of time.

Party invitations

Naturally, there are a ton of party invitations being sent out at this time of year. If you’d like to create a unique, tailored invitation that’s memorable, using a New Year invitation template is the perfect way to do it. Rather than just sending out a regular printed invite card, why not jazz things up a bit with an emphatic video that sets the tone for the party?

Intros and openers

As things restart in January, there’s no doubt going to be a lot to catch up on and video presentations can be a great way to recap and set the tone for a new year meeting. Using a new year goals template can act as a great intro or opener, focusing people’s minds on the year ahead.

New Year content

New year is always a busy time for social media and you’ll want to stay ahead of the curve with good planning and professional content. This is a time of year when your audience is thinking about their goals and resolutions for the year ahead, so making use of something like a New Year’s resolution template for your videos makes a lot of sense.

Alternatively, there are plenty of other traditions and cultural events taking place, such as Chinese New Year. A Chinese New Year lantern template could be a pretty, effective way to wish all of your followers the best over this particular celebration.

FAQs

So, now that you know what a new year template is and how you might use one, let’s take a look at some frequently asked questions.

How do I find New Year’s templates on Artlist?

To start finding great new year templates, simply navigate to the templates tab on Artlist and search for “New Year”. You can further filter your search results by selecting categories such as “lower thirds,” “intros,” and “slideshows”, while under the technical subheading, you can select which software you’d like the template to be usable for, as well as whether it’s in HD or 4K. You’ll find all sorts that cover every need from E-cards to New Year’s resolution templates. There are plenty of landscape options for traditional videos, as well as vertical video templates for apps like TikTok and Instagram Stories.

What programs are the templates compatible with?

There are four main software programs that our video templates are compatible with. These are Final Cut Pro, Adobe Premiere Pro, Adobe After Effects, and DaVinci Resolve. Some templates can be edited using multiple software. For example, some of our After Effects templates may also be edited in DaVinci Resolve. Meanwhile, some templates are for just one type of software only.

Is it possible to personalize every New Year’s template?

Yes. Whether it’s something as elaborate and fancy as a Chinese New Year dragon template or just a simple New Year goals template—each one is fully customizable to suit your needs.

Wrapping up

So, that’s all you need to know about Happy New Year templates! At this time of year, with so many people to contact and so much content to plan for, using something like a New Year’s goal template or a Chinese New Year template makes a lot of sense.

Using the resources at Artlist, you can create a bespoke, or a standout New Year’s wishes video that not only looks professional but saves you precious time. If that doesn’t make your new year a happy one, we’re not sure what will!

הפוסט All about the best New Year templates הופיע לראשונה ב-Artlist Blog.

When there’s monetization involved and a never-ending demand for fresh, new videos, it’s sadly inevitable that sometimes, your videos may be stolen and shared elsewhere. So, if you’re a part of the creator economy, making and sharing videos online, it’s a good idea to learn the basics of copyright infringement – what is it, and how can you protect yourself and your work from being stolen?

What is copyright infringement?

There can be a lot of nuance to this, but in general terms, copyright infringement takes place when a piece of work that’s been copyrighted (in our case, a video) is reproduced, distributed, and shared publicly elsewhere without the permission of the copyright owner (you).

As an example, imagine creating an engaging TikTok that recaps your holiday to Nepal. You share it and get a few views and likes. Three days later, you find that same TikTok being posted by an account that focuses on trekking and outdoor adventures. They have a far bigger following and have generated a lot more views and likes on the video. But you gave them no permission to share your work here, and you’ve not even been credited. Frustrating, right? This would be a classic case of TikTok copyright infringement.

What type of work is protected from copyright infringement?

Put very simply, if you create and post an original video on platforms such as YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram, that piece of work is now protected from copyright infringement and you, as the creator and owner of the video, are also the wonder of the copyrights for that video.

Taking a closer look at Instagram’s Help Centre Copyright Page, here’s what they have to say:

“In most countries, copyright is a legal right that protects original works of authorship. Typically, if you create an original work, you have a copyright from the moment that you create it.

Copyright covers a wide variety of types of works, including:

• Visual or audiovisual works: videos, films, TV shows and broadcasts, video games, paintings, photographs
• Audio works: songs, musical compositions, sound recordings, spoken word recordings
• Written works: books, plays, manuscripts, articles, musical scores”

They go on to note that “to be original enough for copyright protection, a work needs to be created by the author themselves and have some minimal amount of creativity.”

So, names, titles, slogans, or short phrases and symbols aren’t really enough to qualify for copyright protection. However, if it’s an original video expressing an idea in a way that’s unique to you, this would be copyrighted.

TikTok states that “copyright protection only extends to original expressions. It doesn’t extend to ideas, procedures, methods of operation, or mathematical concepts. For example, a person may own the copyright to a film, but not the underlying plot or themes that are expressed in the film.”

How do you avoid copyright infringement?

If you’d like to avoid a copyright strike and steer clear of any potential trouble, there are a few golden rules to stick to. First and foremost, you should only post content that you’ve created yourself. There is a caveat called “fair use” which we’ll explain below, but stick to this rule and you’ll be fine. Before posting, simply ask:

• Have I created all of the content myself?
• Do I have permission to use all of the content included in my post?
• Is the content protected by copyright (e.g. is it a short phrase, a concept or idea, or a work that has fallen into the public domain)?

But what do you do if you can’t create all of the content yourself? For example, there may be certain footage you can’t capture, and you probably don’t have the time to create a song from scratch. It’s possible that you could search for public domain music – songs that have been cleared for use by anyone…but the options aren’t amazing, and how to check if a song is copyrighted can be a little tricky.

This is where royalty-free music licensing, stock videos, and stock photos can really come in handy! With Artlist, you can access an incredible catalog of high-quality songs, as well as thousands of hours worth of stock footage – all of which can be used in your video copyright-free.

To do this, you make use of Clearlist, providing Artlist with links to your channels which ensures that you’re immediately protected from any content claims. Additionally, if you do receive a content claim, it can be managed and removed within minutes, saving you a lot of time and hassle.

The caveat of “fair use”

As we mentioned above, there is a caveat called “fair use” that you could be aware of. Instagram defines fair use as the following:

“These laws allow people to use, under certain circumstances, someone else’s copyrighted work. Common examples include use for the purpose of criticism, commentary, parody, satire, news reporting, teaching, education and research.”

There are plenty of examples of fair use in our everyday lives.

• Popular comedians such as YouTuber Cody Ko will routinely use other people’s material for the purpose of commentary and satire.
• On TV, there are plenty of panel and discussion shows where the host and guests will show other people’s work to make comments, criticize, and report.
• For education and research purposes, “fair use” can apply. For example, in this article, I’m writing right now, I’m using various quotes from Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube. This is helping you to research and learn about copyright infringement.

Copyright infringement tools

Naturally, given the implications and repercussions of copyright infringement, there are plenty of great tools out there that help in identifying any copyright violation of your content.

YouTube content ID is probably the best example of this! The YouTube copyright matching tool is essentially a digital fingerprint, helping YouTube to identify and track the countless hours of content uploaded every single day. On each and every upload, the content is scanned to check for copyrighted content and if there are any issues, it’ll be flagged immediately. This has been a major force in stopping a lot of YouTube copyright infringement.

Similarly, Meta (the parent company of Instagram, as well as Facebook, etc) has their own copyright match tool in “Rights manager”. Much like YouTube content ID, this is a tool that’s been developed for copyright holders of all sizes, enabling Instagram copyright infringement to be detected relatively quickly and easily.

TikTok also scans all of its content to detect any TikTok copyright infringement, but they’re a little more secretive about the tools they use to do this. From personal experience, given the nature of the site, where using viral songs, sounds and video clips is common, as well as the ability to repost other TikToks, things can be a little more tricky to police here.

How to report copyright infringements of your content

Unfortunately, as good as the copyright match tools are, sometimes copyright infringements will slip through the net. There’s simply too much content being uploaded every minute. This can be frustrating for creators.

But the good news is that these major social media platforms care about you – they want you to trust them and continue to upload your videos to their sites. With that in mind, they’ve ensured that reporting copyright infringements is a relatively easy, straightforward process.

How to report copyright infringement on TikTok

Reporting a copyright infringement on TikTok is simple:

1. In the TikTok app, tap the Share button on the side of the video you’d like to report.
2. Tap Report.
3. Tap Intellectual property infringement.
4. Tap the Copyright Infringement Report and follow the instructions provided.

How to file an Instagram copyright report

For Instagram copyright infringement, there are a few ways you can report this:

• You can report it to Instagram by going to the Help Centre and filling in this form.
• You can also use Brand Rights Protection, which enables a rights holder to identify and report violating content for trademark, copyright, and counterfeit.
• Failing this, you can even contact Instagram’s designated agent under the notice and counter-notice procedures of the United States Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA). If you contact this DMCA-designated agent, you’ll need to make sure that you include a complete copyright claim in your report.

How to flag a YouTube video for copyright infringement

Reporting YouTube videos for copyright infringement is a simple, yet thorough process. All you have to do is navigate to YouTube Studio, select Copyright from the left menu, and then click NEW REMOVAL REQUEST.

What happens next?

Once you’ve submitted a copyright infringement report on any of these sites, what’s the next step? For example, how does Instagram notify you about copyright infringement issues?

Instagram

If the copyright infringement report is straightforward, it’s most likely that the offending content will be removed. Instagram will remove the content and a notification will be sent on Instagram to the person, informing them of the decision and reasoning.

If the user in question feels that their content was wrongly removed, they are entitled to an Instagram copyright infringement appeal. Instagram will take it from there and have a closer look. In some cases, Instagram may contact you for more information about the report.

YouTube

It’s a similar story with YouTube. Once you’ve filed your report, the user in question will be informed and have the option to either remove the offending video or challenge the report. Challenging the report is a rigorous process which, if they are proven to have committed copyright infringement, can result in a damaging copyright strike on their YouTube channel. Naturally, if they know they’re at fault, most users will opt to remove their video.

TikTok

All TikTok copyright infringement claims are reviewed by a team of IP specialists (I imagine it’s a BIG team). They’ll assess whether the report contains all the necessary information for them to investigate the claims and whether it has been submitted by the copyright owner or their authorized representative. TikTok may reach out if they need you to provide any missing information.

If a violation of their intellectual property policy is identified, they’ll remove the content from the platform. They will notify both you, the reporter, and the reported user of the action taken.

Wrapping up

Phew, there we go. Copyright infringement can feel like a bit of a daunting, confusing topic but as a creator, it’s really important you learn and understand what it is, as well as the tools you have to protect you and your original content.

In a world where millions of videos are uploaded to these social media platforms every day, there are always going to be issues around copyright cropping up. Having your work stolen is a horrible feeling, but now you know what your rights are and how to deal with it. The law, and the social media platforms, are firmly on your side.

הפוסט Dealing with copyright infringement as a content creator הופיע לראשונה ב-Artlist Blog.

But what if you’re really pushed for time? Or your usual editing partner is unavailable? Or if you’re much more adept when it comes to lighting than editing but can’t stretch to hiring an editor? Or if you’re just starting out and everything is new to you? There’s absolutely no reason for your beautiful content to be let down because you can’t manage everything to the standard that you’d like. There are templates for that, and Artlist is excited to bring you 10 new templates for titles and transitions from DaVinci Resolve.

DaVinci Resolve is likely best known as the industry standard for color-grading, but it has expanded into providing professional-grade editing functions, motion graphics, and compositing tools. Its title and transition templates offer anyone, whether a hobbyist or a professional, a time-efficient and customizable means to elevate your content. Being fully customizable means that they can all be adapted to the look, tone, and feel of your output. They won’t feel bolted on or in any way out-of-place. Templates provide you with seamless and simple titles and transition options to elevate your creative content. Take a look at these 10 new DaVinci Resolve offerings from Artlist.

Film Grit Transitions by Sliced Bread

The Film Grit transitions template features 7 transitions that will enable you to move from one scene to another with creative verve. The transitions include film burns, light leaks, and grungy overlay effects, all of which you can customize to ensure that they fit with your vision for your final output. The template is compatible with both DaVinci Resolve 18 and Adobe Premiere Pro 2021 in 4K.

Diode Screen Effects by iamkoltunov

Whether it’s for a music video, an ad, or a flashback scene, if you want to give your footage a cool flickering and pixelated diode screen look-a-like make-over, you’ll need the Diode Screen Effects template. Within this DaVinci Resolve template, you can customize the diode size, shape, and count to ensure that it produces the precise result that you want, and you can adjust its flickering and glowing effects. It comes with pre-made camera animations, too!

Compatible with DaVinci Resolve 18.

Glitch Titles by AM

Your title sequence sets the tone for your film, while the end credits give your audience a final impression of your work. They can’t be afterthoughts without any relationship to your content. If you’re looking for a glitchy, distorted title and end sequence, look no further than the Glitch Titles template. With five text animations and accompanying noise effects, it’ll help to create the right mood for anything a little bit edgy, a bit on the thriller side, or maybe with a touch of horror.

Compatible with DaVinci Resolve 18.

Colorful Drawn Transitions by StudioInfografika

With the Colorful Drawn transitions template for DaVinci Resolve, you can select just 1 of 7 colorful and fun hand-drawn transitions to bring an exciting look to your footage, or you can use as many as you want as part of a captivating sequence. The template’s hand-drawn effect is light and fun, as well as easily adjustable, with its 7 media placeholders and color controllers to add the perfect creative sense of motion to your content. 

This transition template is available in 4K and is compatible with DaVinci Resolve 18, Adobe Premiere Pro and After Effects 2022, and Final Cut Pro X 10.6.

BG Device Slides by AM

Suppose you need a sequence featuring a device, whether as a screen mock-up for an ad, a logo reveal or to convey the content of a conversation, then you’ll need the BG Device Slides template. Its sliding design and customizable colors take the stress out of creating compelling footage that involves devices.

This template is compatible with DaVinci Resolve 18, Adobe Premiere Pro 2021, After Effects 2020, and Final Cut Pro X 10.5.

Dynamic Slideshow by arkad1x

Dynamic Slideshow is an easily customizable DaVinci Resolve transition template that’s fast to render and doesn’t require any plugins. Using a mix of motion, graphics, and multiple shots, it’s the perfect template for any footage that involves sports or high-paced activities. 

It’s available in HD and compatible with DaVinci Resolve 18.

Titles and Period by AM

For a fun DaVinci Resolve title template, take a look at Titles and Period. Based around a swooshing period that catches the eye and engages the viewer, you can customize the colors, content, size, and position of the animated text to ensure that it’s the perfect opening to your film. It’s ideal for opening light-hearted films or content aimed at children or even presenting information in an eye-catching and memorable way.

HD and DaVinci Resolve 18 compatible.

Grunge Opener by JuliaDesign

Grunge Opener is an easy-to-use title sequence with a grainy effect and grungey feel. It’s a perfect step back to the 90s! It includes 12 media placeholders, 10 text placeholders, and 1 logo placeholder, all of which can be adjusted for your content.

This template is compatible with DaVinci Resolve 18, Adobe Premiere Pro and After Effects 2022, and Final Cut Pro X 10.6.

Hip Hop Intro by AnyMotion

Don’t let the name Hip Hop Intro fool you into thinking that this DaVinci Resolve title template is only for music videos made in NYC. It’s an easy-to-use template that enables you to insert your own media and text for a dynamic, engaging sequence featuring captivating motion that uses split and sliding screens and interesting graphics.

Compatible with DaVinci Resolve 18.

Motion Titles Pack by iamkoltunov

For a stylish-looking but easy-to-use title sequence template, look no further than the Motion Titles Pack. You drop in your footage for your title sequence and then choose from 9 animated title options. Take full control by adjusting the color, size, and position of the text so that it fits perfectly with your content’s tone and aesthetics.

Compatible with DaVinci Resolve 18.

Wrap up

Whether you’re looking for a dynamic transition from just one scene to another or a transition sequence that runs throughout your output, as well as expert-looking titles, these DaVinci Resolve templates are just what you need. Take a look at Artlist’s other templates to see how you can raise your filmmaking game with ease.

הפוסט Explore Artlist’s new DaVinci Resolve templates הופיע לראשונה ב-Artlist Blog.

These days it takes more than a fantastic product or service to stand out. A successful business utilizes the power of branding to create a visual language that its audience will remember. Video marketing is a powerful tool that captures people’s imaginations and holds their attention.  A consistent video aesthetic that reflects your brand’s values, messaging, and personality is crucial.  It’s easy to fall back on ready-made filters or pre-sets to polish your aesthetic clips, but this strategy will backfire in the long run. Your business aesthetic needs to be unique to your brand – which isn’t as difficult as it sounds. All you need is a deep understanding of your business, some great ideas, and, of course, an Artlist subscription. So read on to unlock the secret to creating a brand aesthetic that stands out. 

What is a brand’s video aesthetic or visual language?

A visual language is the intentional use of visual aesthetics – whether color, type, composition, or framing – to communicate a brand’s messaging, values, and personality. The aim of visual language is to create a sense of familiarity with a brand, which can only be done through consistency.  Humans are creatures of comfort. We’re drawn to the familiar and steer clear of the unknown, especially when investing in something. Take Mcdonald’s, for example – those golden arches are instantly recognizable from anywhere. So a brand aesthetic and visual language is a way to let customers know who you are and remember you the next time they want to purchase your product. In other words, a visual language is a form of subliminal messaging communicating everything your brand stands for.  And, of course, that visual language must extend to your video aesthetic. With video marketing much more impactful than imagery or text, it’s a surefire way to sell your product to customers. However, a brand’s video aesthetic must be consistent with the overall visual language of the brand. That means the same colors, fonts, frames, and unique touches that tell your audience who you are and why they should pay attention.

How consistent visual language can help build your brand

Consistency in your visual language makes your brand instantly recognizable, which is particularly important for video content. With video fast becoming the most consumable and sharable format for social media, standing out from the crowd while conveying your message is a recipe for success. Once you have your audience’s attention and respect, website traffic will increase, your audience will grow, and you’ll build a loyal following.  To build your brand, start by conveying your brand personality or brand identity. Think of these as the human characteristics or traits of your brand that create an emotional bond with your audience. Bring these to the fore of your aesthetic, and you’ll build meaningful relationships with your audience.  Audio design is a great way to convey this message in your video content – and Artlist’s music catalog has a soundscape, effect, or track to convey every emotion out there.  A brand personality can be built through footage, framing, or composition. Take Apple, for example – their clean, minimalist design represents the seamless experience of using their products. They show this principle across every touch point, whether their logo, shop design, their social media feed, or their video aesthetic. Now that you’ve established your brand personality through visual aesthetics pay close attention to your signature elements that will make your brand identifiable. Signature elements create and translate the visual brand language, including color, lighting, movement, logos, and type. As well as being synonymous with your brand, these elements can massively impact the way consumers interact with your brand. The color blue, for example, is reliable, trustworthy, and clean. Red is attention-grabbing, passionate, and powerful. Yellow is joyful, hopeful, and warm. 

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How to create a recognizable visual look in your videos

Artlist’s Head of Brand Marketing, Liran Friedman, has been working in the field of visual aesthetics for years. Here, he shares the tricks of the trade so you can successfully build a visual brand aesthetic through your video content.

Tip 1. Streamline your process

You have endless choices when it comes to designing your videos, with lighting, movement, camera movement, framing, and location resulting in completely different outcomes. But once you’ve made your decision, stick to it. This won’t just create familiarity between your audience and your brand but will make your process much more efficient.

Tip 2: Consistency is key

Whether you’re shooting in a studio or out in the wild, ensure the lighting is consistent in every shot. Think about the intensity, the colors, the angle, and the setup. Use soft light to create a flattering effect on your subject or hard light to communicate a hard-hitting message. If you’re working in a studio, take note of your studio setup, and use the same camera and lens combination in all your videos. If you have variations in lighting and color, it’s always best practice to color grade your videos to make them look consistent and professional. 

Tip 3: Soundtrack

Music can make or break your video. Finding the right music to accompany your video is really important for your brand’s personality and the message you want to convey. With Artlist’s music catalog, you have thousands of royalty-free soundtracks and sound effects. Finding the perfect hip-hop track to play alongside your new streetwear drop or an organic house track to showcase your new resort will make a big difference in how the audience perceives your brand. 

Tip 4: Graphics

When it comes to graphics, leave no stone unturned. Think about the font, colors, subtitles, and logo, and make sure they’re consistent throughout all your video content. Then there’s the color scheme – an extremely powerful way to communicate your brand messaging with subliminal qualities that seriously impact consumers’ perception of your brand. Think about warmth, hue, tone, and how the psychology of color reflects your product or service. If your signature color is green, then include splashes of it in your videos to create a consistent and cohesive look. 

Examples:

The Barbie marketing team deserves a raise. Their visual language is, you guessed it, hot pink, and that color crops up in every Barbie-related Google search and a fully rentable Air BnB property in Malibu. Undoubtedly, their consistent, fun visual language is one of the reasons Barbie is this year’s most successful box office event. 

  Netflix uses the color red in its logo and across all of its touchpoints. Their specific shade of red has become an iconic part of their brand. It’s a simple yet effective way of carrying consistent branding throughout all their marketing and branded materials.  Insta360 is a classic example of communicating brand identity through visual language. They let their customers do the work and share their self-filmed videos across their social platforms. They’re always showcasing the weird and wonderful things you can do with Insta360, inspiring their audience to do the same and ultimately purchase the product.

Conclusion

Building a signature video aesthetic is a powerful way to connect with your audience, and Artlist’s assets can help you fulfill that vision. With footage, music, and video templates, you have the freedom to explore your brand identity and create a meaningful, long-lasting connection with your audience. “Consumers need to recognize your brand at first glance, so make sure your video content matches all the elements that represent your brand, like values, brand personality, colors, camera work, and animation. Don’t make it too complicated, make sure your team is aligned with your brand aesthetic, and don’t be afraid to make changes over the years, as brands can evolve and change just like people do. “– Liran Friedman, Head of Brand Marketing, Artlist. Try Artlist for free today.  

הפוסט How to create a visual language and video style for your brand הופיע לראשונה ב-Artlist Blog.

Why use an intro sequence?

Intro sequences are slightly different from logo reveals, but there is often a bit of crossover. A logo reveal aims to tell the audience who the creator or company behind the video is. In contrast, intro sequences will introduce the audience to themes, cast, locations and more. Many intro sequences will include a logo placeholder, allowing you to use it for both your opening titles and logo reveal.

Intro sequences can be packed with information for the viewer, but they also play a part in your overall branding. For example, you can use the same intro sequence across a video series or specific online channel. They can also create brand consistency and let your audience identify you and your content in just a few seconds.

How to customize an intro template using Final Cut Pro

Intro Templates are available for all industry-standard editing software, and the templates will work a little differently depending on the platform on which you choose to edit. First, we will look at how to use Intro Templates in Final Cut Pro.

Step 1: Installing your Template

Unlike After Effects templates, which open as a project, Final Cut Pro templates need to be installed into your software. If Apple Motion is installed on your computer, your folder structure might already be in place.

1. Download your template and open the Zip folder; look around the download to identify the template file; this will have one of the following suffixes; .moef, .motn, .moti and .motr.
2. Open a 2nd Finder window by selecting the current one and hitting Command + N on your keyboard.
3. Navigate to the Movies folder and look for a folder called Motion Templates; if you can see it, open it and jump to point 6.
4. If you don’t have a Motion Template, go to File > New Folder. Name the new folder Motion Templates.localized. When you have renamed your folder, you will notice that the .localized part is hidden away.
5. In the new Motion Templates folder, create 4 new folders, and name them; Titles.localized, Generators.localized, Effects.localized and Transitions.localized. Again, the .localized part will be hidden from view once you deselect the folder.
6. Now that you have your file structure sorted, you can begin to add your Templates. With your downloads folder open, drag the template file to the relevant folder, the Generators folder.
7. Launch Final Cut Pro and look in the relevant panel to find your effect.

Step 2: Adding your media

Some intro titles will allow you to add your video clips and photos, while others offer typography-style animation. In Final Cut Pro, templates use Media Dropzones, which can be a little tricky if you’re a beginner.

1. Find your template in the Generators Panel and drag it to your timeline.
2. Hit Command + I to open the Importer; choose your videos or photos from their saved locations and hit Import.
3. With the template selected in the timeline, go to the Effects Control Panel.
4. Look through the Video Effect tab for elements labeled Media Dropzone; they will look like small boxes with arrows.
5. Click on the 1st Media Dropzone, then search for the clip you want to use in your browser. Select the clip, place the scrubber playhead at the point you want it to start playing, then in the Media Viewer, hit Okay.
6. Go through each of the Media Dropzone spaces adding clips and photos.

Step 3: Adjusting the titles

Titles are easy to adjust in FCP and can be done in just a few minutes. Before you start, however, it is handy to have your copy written so you know how best to divide your messaging within the template.

1. With the template selected in the timeline, go to the Effect Control Panel. Scroll through the Video tab options to find the associated text boxes.
2. In the text boxes, type your message; below, you can adjust your text’s font, weight, size and color.
3. Watch the template play to ensure your title is on-screen long enough and easy for the viewer to read.
4. Go through each of the title elements and add your messaging, adjusting the look of your text as required.

Step 4: Customizing flourishes

Many templates for Final Cut Pro come with

flourishes and animated elements that are customizable. Each template will be slightly different in what it offers, but the options will all be available in the Effects Control Panel.

Go through the Effects Control Panel and play around with the options until you are happy with the look of your template.

Wrap up

Templates are a lot of fun to use, especially if you are a beginner. Not only can they save you a lot of time creating assets from scratch, but they can also allow you to build compositions beyond your skillset. The Motion Pack Pro is available to download today and includes many Final Cut Pro, Premiere and After Effects intro templates.

הפוסט How to create eye-catching animated intros using intro templates הופיע לראשונה ב-Artlist Blog.

DaVinci Resolve has come a long way since its creation. Initially, it was a high-end color grading software used by Hollywood professionals and was very expensive. In 2009, Blackmagic Design acquired DaVinci Systems and developed it into a full-fledged video editing software. DaVinci Resolve became more than just a color grading tool — it became an all-in-one post-production suite.

One of the most significant changes was introducing the DaVinci Resolve free version. Before this, users had to pay a hefty price for the software. But now, anyone can download the DaVinci Resolve free version and access lite versions of features like Fusion (special effects) and Fairlight (audio editing) — with no trial period or watermarks on your exports. This move made DaVinci Resolve an incredibly accessible tool for content creators, filmmakers, and video editors.

As DaVinci Resolve continued to evolve, more features were added, including the Cut Page for faster editing, AI-based tools, and more robust support for new hardware. Today, DaVinci Resolve is one of the best free video editing programs available, competing with industry leaders in performance and features.

DaVinci Resolve Studio vs DaVinci Resolve free version  — what’s the difference?

Both the DaVinci Resolve free version and DaVinci Resolve Studio offer powerful editing capabilities, but the two have key differences.

DaVinci Resolve free version

The free version of DaVinci Resolve includes nearly all the tools you need for professional-level video editing.

Color grading

DaVinci Resolve is known for its color grading capabilities, and the free version gives you access to advanced color correction tools that Hollywood filmmakers use.

Fusion

This suite includes powerful special effects tools, allowing you to create visual effects and motion graphics. Whether you want to add explosions, transitions, or animated titles, the free version has you covered.

Fairlight

With Fairlight, you get access to professional-grade audio editing tools. You can mix sound, record voiceovers, and even adjust background music or sound effects easily.

The free version allows you to export videos in 4K resolution — which is more than enough for most content creators. However, there are some limitations.

• No access to certain advanced features like multi-GPU support, which speeds up rendering, and advanced noise reduction aren’t available in the free version.
• Some of the powerful AI tools available in the Studio version, such as the Magic Mask and Face Refinement, aren’t included in the free version.
• There are several effects you won’t be able to use, such as Grain and Lens Distortion.
• While the free version contains scopes for your grading, the professional HDR scopes are missing from Davinci Resolve free.
• The free version is also missing the tools to grade 3D projects, or synchronize Davinci systems for remote grading.
• The free version supports only 8-bit formats, while the Studio version supports 10-bit formats. 

DaVinci Resolve Studio: the professional upgrade

For $295, you can upgrade to a lifetime license for DaVinci Resolve Studio 19, which unlocks additional professional-level tools and features, along with all future updates.

• The Studio version supports higher resolution exports in up to 32K resolution, which is ideal for high-end production work. If you’re working on feature films or large-scale projects, the Studio version offers the tools you need.
• The HDR support in the Studio version is much more robust, providing you with better tools to create high dynamic range content that has vibrant colors and more detail.
• With multi-GPU support, the Studio version boosts performance, making editing and rendering large files faster, especially when working with complex effects or high-resolution video.
• DaVinci Resolve Studio includes powerful tools like IntelliTrack AI, which can be used to track motion and automatically pan audio, together with Face Refinement, which helps smooth skin tones or enhance facial features. These features make editing faster and more efficient, especially when dealing with complex video projects.
• In Fusion, VFX artists can access an expanded set of USD tools and a new multiply rotoscoping tool.

The Studio version is perfect for professionals who need extra power, advanced features, and greater flexibility in their video editing workflow.

Video templates in DaVinci Resolve — speed up your editing process

A great feature of DaVinci Resolve is its ability to use video templates. These templates are pre-designed files that make it easier to create polished, professional videos in less time. Templates can help with everything from creating cinematic titles to adding special effects and transitions.

An exciting development for DaVinci Resolve users is the Autograph 2025 live link feature, which allows animators to create templates directly in DaVinci. The live linking feature works similarly to the Adobe Premiere Pro/After Effects MOGRTs, giving you customizable assets you can drag and drop to your timeline.

You can find a huge variety of video templates on Artlist, all created by top international designers. Here are some examples:

Cinematic titles

Add stunning titles to your videos with cinematic templates that include animations, effects, and text treatments. These are perfect for YouTube videos, films, or any project that requires a high-end, professional look.

Logo reveals

There are many templates designed to make your logo appear in a cool, dynamic way. Templates like these use special effects like glowing, 3D transitions, and camera zooms to showcase your brand or logo.

Glass door logo template by AM

Social media templates

Social media templates are a fantastic option for filling your feeds with high-quality content. These templates are optimized for mobile screens and include effects and transitions that grab attention, perfect for growing your audience.

Smooth transitions

You can download transition templates to add smooth, stylish animations between your shots or scenes. Whether it’s a glitch effect, swipe, or smooth fade, these templates help create a more dynamic and engaging viewing experience.

Film Grit Transitions by Sliced Bread

DaVinci Resolve — the complete video editing suite

DaVinci Resolve is one of the best video editing platforms available today. Whether you’re just starting out, a content creator, or a professional filmmaker, DaVinci Resolve offers a free version with nearly all the tools you need to create stunning videos. If you need extra power or advanced features, DaVinci Resolve Studio provides the tools for professional-level projects at a very affordable price.

With the DaVinci Resolve free version, you can create high-quality content without spending any money. When you’re ready to take your projects to the next level, the Studio version unlocks even more powerful tools. From color grading to special effects to audio editing, DaVinci Resolve has everything you need to make amazing videos. For even more creative possibilities, check out the Artlist DaVinci Resolve template collection to elevate your editing with stunning royalty-free templates.

הפוסט DaVinci Resolve’s evolution — the best free video editing software הופיע לראשונה ב-Artlist Blog.