subject: Becoming a Better Graphic Designer: Learning vs. Copying [print this page] Becoming a Better Graphic Designer: Learning vs. Copying
Becoming a better graphic designer is something you can't do completely on your own. Think about it. If you were to design within a vacuum, you would not know what is current or which designs yield results, so your developing skills would not be relevant to the outside market. In a subjective realm like graphic design, your work must be influenced or informed by other people. Therein lies the problem. How informed is too informed?
You probably always hear the axiom that there is nothing in design which hasn't already been done, and that may very well be true. What this means is that all designers are technically copying each other in a very small way. However, that is still no justification for blatantly stealing someone else's work. At the same time, you shouldn't be afraid to allow the work of others to influence your design sensibilities.
Here are some ways to ensure you walk the line:
Acquired knowledge
Observe popular designers in your category and understand why their designs work. Learn how to replicate effects these designers are able to achieve.
Applied knowledge
Ask yourself how you can take what you've observed and use it to make something completely new and uninfluenced by the concepts from which you've gleaned your new skills.
Take ownership
Nothing prevents plagiarism like designing with passion and ownership of your ideas. Wanting to be creative is the best defense against temptation to borrow another designer's work.
This not to say that having the best intentions will make you invincible. It is possible to accidentally plagiarize. If you ever find yourself in this unfortunate situation, no one will believe it was an accident.
The best defense for accidental plagiarism is doing a little homework. When you get a great idea, do an immediate Google search to see if it's been done before. Don't be satisfied with your research until you're absolutely convinced your idea is original or not overly influenced by anything else in existence.
It's tough out there getting better and not losing yourself in the process. With these tips you should feel confident enough to be learning without copying.
