Building our website with UGC: How Catch+Release transformed the process

When we set out to redesign the Catch+Release website, we knew we wanted it to embody the authenticity and creativity that our platform enables for brands and agencies. But instead of relying on generic stock imagery or producing custom content, we turned to our own Creator Community Marketplace.

This decision wasn’t just symbolic—it was strategic. Using user-generated content (UGC) from real creators allowed us to tell a more authentic story about who we are and what we do, while showcasing the potential of the platform in action.

Why we chose UGC for our website

User-generated content is powerful because it’s authentic. It connects with audiences in a way that polished, staged content often can’t. For a platform that enables brands to license real content from the internet, it made perfect sense to use UGC to bring our site to life.

By tapping into the Creator Community, we gained access to a vast library of over 1 million licensable assets—from TikTok videos to Instagram posts—featuring diverse creators and perspectives. This variety allowed us to find content that not only looked great but also reflected the values of our brand.

The game-changing role of Catch+Release

Collaborating with our Creator Community during the design process provided a firsthand experience of how Catch+Release simplifies and streamlines content discovery. The AI-powered search tools and the ‘similar content’ feature were instrumental in helping our design team find the perfect visuals quickly and efficiently.

Here’s what our designers had to say about the process:

"As a Creative Director, I’m always searching for tools that make collaboration with external designers and developers more efficient. Catch+Release was a game-changer. It allowed me to seamlessly discover and organize content into collections while eliminating the need for time-consuming downloads and uploads. The platform’s built-in collaboration features—like commenting and hearting assets—enabled real-time feedback and streamlined communication across the team. When it comes time to license assets, Catch+Release makes the process effortless, saving time and ensuring my vision comes to life smoothly." ‍

‍— Lisa Knoop, Creative Director @ KnoopCreative

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"Using Catch+Release’s Creator Community Marketplace while designing the new website was an absolute game-changer. Initially, I was a bit skeptical—Google sets such a high standard for search, and it’s hard to imagine another platform performing at that level. That’s why I started my searches cautiously. But as I became more familiar with the tool, I discovered just how specific I could be, and the results consistently exceeded my expectations.

This level of precision was invaluable during the design process. It allowed me to quickly find exactly what I needed, streamlining my workflow and saving significant time. The ‘similar content’ feature was another highlight—it’s incredibly reliable."

‍ — Belén Viedma, Designer @ Amply

Takeaways for your projects

The success of our website redesign highlights why UGC is such a valuable resource—not just for campaigns but for broader creative initiatives like web design. The variety, authenticity, and ease of access provided by platforms like Catch+Release open up new opportunities to tell compelling stories across any medium.

We’re proud of how the new site reflects who we are and the transformative power of UGC. It’s proof that with the right tools, even the biggest creative challenges can become seamless, inspiring experiences.