App to search and browse Creative Commons/Libre/Open License images
I had an idea for an app that allows the user to search Creative Commons/Open License/Libre images (hereafter referred to as Open License for simplicity) through different websites/databases such as Openverse, Pixabay, Flickr, Pexels, etc.
Motivation and rationale: Open License Content aims to facilitate and support sharing and using of knowledge, something that aligns well with (and also encompasses) the Open Source movement. Multiple online resources such as OpenVerse, Flickr, Pixabay etc. host a miriad of open license content that must be individually and manually queried. Current examples such as the CC Online Searcher (search.creativecommons.org) provide a portal where a given website/database is picked by the user beforehand and the user is redirected to that website upon entering search terms, but there is no available option to preview them all at once. Overall there is also not a native app alternative for this purpose.
Aims: The aim of this app would be to i) provide a simpler, quicker bridge between the user and the websites/databases that are queried, ii) provide a streamlined way to quickly check for the kind of content available at each service, iii) agilise the workflow of searching for Open License media. Tangentially, it would also be beneficial in the long term to increase visibility and accessibility to this kind of content for the whole community.
UI: The app may consist on a search bar where to input the search term(s) and a set of rows showcasing the pictures found on each service (Just the thumbnails, no need to download all the pictures). Then, whenever the user hovers or clicks on a picture, a pop-up menu or a similar non-disruptive interface element could appear to show the most basic information: name of the picture, URL, and the ability to open or copy the URL link. Options in preferences could include toggling of what services may be queried, picture size on the interface, and potentially login options for some of the websites, if possible. I have attached a quick mockup.
Prospects: Eventually the app may extend other kind of content (perhaps video, music, and sounds) and may also allow the user to create and manage a local database of Open License images/content consisting of static links, downloaded pictures, and other information for proper citation/references; this local database could be stored in a simple/portable format such as xml or json.