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Steal and copy. It’s ok.
How to be a better designer, Issue 03
Are you tired of hearing that copying someone else's work is wrong?
Well, it's time to change your perspective.
Copying or stealing others’ work is actually acceptable and even beneficial in certain situations.
Yes, it’s actually ok to steal and copy.
The key lies in understanding the difference between blindly copying and stealing and doing so in a smart and strategic way.
Honesty with oneself is important in this process. Acknowledging that the vast majority of things have already been invented or used before can free us from the burden of constantly striving for absolute originality. Instead, we can focus on leveraging existing ideas to create something even better.
It's okay to look around and take what you want.
Verified pieces of other products can be used as proof of concept, mixed with additional ideas and pieces, and made into something better. It's okay to steal and copy and craft something new.
It's unclear to me why many people are so keen on their work, looking for any similarities in the work of others and then blaming them for copying.
Each person is unique, and we all have our own way of approaching problems and finding solutions. Even if two people start with the same idea, the paths they take and the outcomes they achieve will be distinct. That's why being copied should be seen as the biggest compliment one can receive—it means that your work has inspired others to build upon it and take it in new directions.
This process has not only enriched my skill set but has also nurtured my creative thinking. Through dissecting and reconstructing existing ideas, I have gained a deeper understanding of what makes them successful and have honed my ability to innovate and refine. It is through this amalgamation of borrowed concepts and my unique perspectives that my ideas have evolved and grown stronger.
Rather than reinventing the wheel, let's take the wheel and study it.
By examining existing ideas, we can gain a deeper understanding of their strengths and weaknesses. We can then use this knowledge to enhance and refine them, making them more useful and relevant to the world today.
Let's break free from the fear of copying and embrace the power of inspiration.
Let's steal, copy, and craft something new and exciting.
Good Artists Copy, Great Artists Steal.
4 examples on why it’s fine to use ideas and designs of others ↓
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We’re just getting started!
Thanks, talk soon!
Tom