Inspiration v Plagiarism

One of the more interesting and surprising things I have gained since setting up the Gabriel Design Twitter Feed is the ability to follow inspiration tweeters. These helpful folk trawl the internet and post, usually on blogs, examples and links to the latest in design. Usually listing designs all in the same theme; corporate logos or small retail websites for example. They then tweet a link and we followers can choose to have a peek at what the rest of the design world is doing.

However, one of the things I have noticed when occasionally following these inspiring links is that the design world is sometimes unoriginal and prone to plagiarism. Obviously there are only so many new ways to design a website, or a brochure, or a logo, or what have you; also with the prevalence of template driven CMS sites layouts are going to start to look similar. However it sometimes looks as if a company has taken the design, colour scheme, concept of a another and either lifted directly from it, or taken it to a design agency and persuaded them to do the same.

Now there is nothing wrong is asking a client to provide some samples and examples of what they like for inspiration. In my time I have been asked to design a logo in the colour of a cigarette packet or to use certain type faces and fonts to match CDs covers of favourite bands. Such use of inspiration involves the client in the design process and helps give the designer (in this case me) an even better idea of what they require.

This doesn't excuse, however, two rival websites for two rival companies apparently using the same fonts, the same colour palette, similar navigation and logos which could have been drawn up to the same design brief.

Sadly, in addition to this, it appears that a few (and again like the designers I mention above only a few) students in design college who, either when short of time, or bereft of ideas, find a little too much inspiration in a favourite film, band or tv show. Yes, The Simpsons are massively popular, but creating a self caricature with yellow skin is not cutting edge or original, sorry.

Having said all this it is worth noting that it is the minority who seem to use the wonder that is the internet to plagiarise and by far the majority who use it to gain inspiration.

One of the core ethics I have set up with Gabriel Design is that each new job and each new client are completely individual. Everyone gets a unique, bespoke service. I will meet with a client, old or new, and discuss their requirements, their likes and dislikes, their ideas, in some detail. Then, and only then, put together a design proposal that is unique and tailored to fit their needs only. It is not the 'Gabriel Design way' to offer 'off the peg' solutions or to show a selection of possible designs before even discussing what is required.

If you think that we can meet your design, print and internet requirements, please feel free to contact us.