Provenance

Record the original maker or publisher, the work, a link and the aspect that informed your thinking. Distinguish a direct reference from a broad tradition or a competitor comparison.

Keep this record with the project and include relevant references in the handover. Credit is valuable, but it does not itself grant permission to reuse an asset. Track reuse permissions separately where needed, and do not present a source as evidence for a claim you have not checked.

A tight grid might support comparison; a large image might establish context. Identify that relationship instead of copying the visible treatment without its purpose.

Develop alternatives against the current brief, audience and constraints. Compare the result with the reference to identify unnecessary dependence, while recognising that shared conventions are common. If an actual asset is being reused, handle its permission and attribution explicitly rather than treating a visual change as a substitute.

Identify which assets or stages they affected and who reviewed the result. Agree with the client on any relevant disclosure and production requirements.

Review generated work for accuracy, suitability and the permissions relevant to its use. Check the tool's current terms and the supplied inputs rather than assuming every service grants the same rights. The responsible person still needs to make and verify the final choices. Keep the production record where the project team can find it.

Different licences permit different uses. Read the actual licence and link to it rather than relying on a phrase such as free to use.

Separate your own material from third-party assets with their own terms. A licence on the project does not automatically cover everything included in it. For client deliverables, document the agreed rights and handover scope in the appropriate agreement. Keep those details consistent with any public release.