Where influence ends and plagiarism begins.
Einstein once said "The secret to creativity is knowing how to hide your sources." We are all inspired and shaped by our influences but knowing how to use it and knowing the line can define a great designer from a fraud.
Plagiarism, as defined in the 1995 Random House Compact Unabridged Dictionary, is the "use or close imitation of the language and thoughts of another author and the representation of them as one's own original work." but where does the line begin? Is a color scheme a rip off? Is a style or genre of site design a rip off? I don't believe so. I think there are certain items that are free use and can only be written off as inspirational. Color schemes, framing, trendy stylings (big headers, 3d menus, dropshadow or glows), and use of icons in web design are items that can really not be "ripped off". They are common traits among most designers, the key is to take certain ingredients from a lot of influences put them in your creative pot and create something unique and hopefully even better than what your original influences were. A good designer progresses past his influence, a poor designer matches it.
When a designer puts out a good product, just like a good piece of art - it should cause influence and slight imitation. That's how trends occur in design. No one should feel guilty by influence of greatness, it will make you a better designer. But there is a line, and that line is when you take several items from a specific site, including it's defining features. One of the best examples is the recent campaign of Dick Gordon, which has ripped off nearly all identifiable features of the Obama campaigns site.
They have lifted not only color scheme but layout, photography style, and nearly every feature of the page. This is unacceptable. This is passing on another's work as their own. There is nothing to be proud of Allan Palmos, this is ripping off and not just being influenced. The Obama design team created one of the most inspiring beautiful design campaigns ever and to steal something so well done and unique (not to mention known) is just poor work.
Another example of major companies stealing and not being inspired is ex-internet juggernaut AOL stealing from Yahoo. Yahoo spent lots of time and money into how it's homepage is laid out for efficiency and aesthetic appeal (in that order) and AOL went from being influenced by a layout or design to completely stealing everything about it, the format, the icon style, the position of the blocks, the search bar - EVERYTHING.
This can show you that not just low ball designers are susceptible to plagiarism, we all are. We should be concious of it and continue to promote progressive ideas and continue stirring the creative pot filled with pieces of influence.
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