Fabulous Photo Fun with Big Huge Labs fd’s Flickr Toys!

This is the time of year that media specialists celebrate the year’s accomplishments and look ahead to promotional strategies for the upcoming year.  A free and fun Web 2.0 resource that can help you create eye-catching and visually appealing creations from your digital photos for these promotions is Big Huge Labs, Home of fd’s Flickr Toys.  You can upload your own photos or use Flickr photos (observing copyright, of course!) with this free Web 2.0 suite of applications.  If you choose to upload your own photos, you will need to sign up for a free account with Big Huge Labs, but you do not have to sign up for a Flickr account; if you already have a Flickr account, you  have the option of linking your Big Huge Labs account to your Flickr account.

This resource features a multitude of games, toys, and utilities to help you create catchy and memorable image-based creations.   Here are a few of my favorite applications: 

• MapMaker:  create a map of where you have been or where you are going!
  My Travels
  
  Make yours @ BigHugeLabs.com

    

   

   

   

• Matte:  add a touch of class with a museum style matte frame to your favorite photos.
  
  
• Jigsaw:  create a custom jigsaw style image from your own photos.  You also have the option to order and purchase a real jigsaw puzzle from your creation!  If your budget permits, this would be a great way to promote library activities!            

   

•  Badgemaker: Use this tool to create nametags, ID badges, or any type of identification document.  
    
  
•  Mosaic Maker:  This is my favorite “toy”!  You can create many kinds of mosaics using your own photos or Flickr photos.  What a wonderful way to highlight library activities!  

  There are many more “toys” and applications to help you tap into your creative side and make the most of your images.   Many of the applications lend themselves to library and book promotion, so surf on over and open up the Big Huge Labs toybox!
  

  Buffy Hamilton
  Media Specialist
  Creekview High School
  http://webtech.cherokee.k12.ga.us/creekview-hs/mediacenter/
  http://theunquietlibrary.wordpress.com/
  http://theunquietlibrarian.wordpress.com/