I got a an email the other day, asking if I was a little angry at seeing nails painted in my Pikaland avatar colors over at Pinterest (see that little image above the image of the nails).
I was a little amused and surprised — am I supposed to be angry at people for using my colors? Heck no. They aren’t “MY” colors. I certainly didn’t invent them, and I didn’t invent scalloped patterns; I’m pretty sure the big guy up there has copyrights on that! I can see how people think of me instantly when they see this though – lots of people have told me how happy and cheery it looks – and truth be told, I’m not angry at all. In fact, it just makes me incredibly proud to see that people identify with the colors with the Pikaland avatar (I’m looking at you Jen!), and by golly, I’d love to see nails like that around more.
Perhaps we can apply this ethos to our work as illustrators and artists as well? Will you be open enough to allow other people to take upon what you’ve did before and allow room for reinterpretation? Before you shake your head and vehemently say no, let me ask you this — how many of your own ideas are really originals? In many ways, we’ve been influenced in some ways by others. Do we bother to credit each and everything that crosses our path? Should it matter? Have you done unto others?
I’d love to hear your thoughts!
P.S: Also, do have a listen to Johanna Blakely’s TED talk about the fashion industry and copycats. Here’s hoping your week is off to an inspiring start!
What a topic, there was just a post on Scoutie Girl on the topic. For those who have felt the sting of being copied and seemingly taken advantage of…I understand it can be difficult to let go. But I’ve long since decided to just not worry about it…stop wasting energy in that arena. It’s not doing us good…
I’m so glad you wrote this. I wrote a similar thing on my blog in march (http://papersparrow.typepad.com/papersparrow/2011/03/its-not-a-rip-off-its-an-homage-.html) and even though I got a lot of comments that basically agreed with me, TONS of people deleted me from their readers that very day. It was a little upsetting, to have an opinion and then be dismissed that way without any criticism or discussion on the matter.
I can’t imagine how you could ever be angry if someone painted their nails in the colors that you use. I can’t imagine that they will last long, they’re nails, right?
want to know another thought i had when i saw these? ‘i wonder if they’d seen amy’s avatar? oh wait, there’s no brown or orange, so maybe not’. ha!
my comment isn’t really in response to the idea of being copied, rather more about how i know what you mean about it being a compliment when people associate something like this with you; i had a similar pinterest thing where someone showed me this table because it looked like my (then) avatar (& then someone commented saying similar). made me smile -http://pinterest.com/pin/2808512/
(i’m sure i’ve shown you this before too 😉 – http://www.flickr.com/photo… )
Such an interesting topic… I just watched Johanna Blakely’s talk… WOW.. now I understand why fashion is so fickled.. in a good way!
I wonder what would happen if there was no copyright in the arts industry… interesting thought hey!
Interesting. Having spotted a bit of “homage” myself the other week, I was initially shocked, then flattered, then annoyed! But mainly, I was worried that people might think I was the copier (the homage featured on Apartment Therapy and was all over Pinterest, whereas I’m a pretty tiddly fish in a massive pond) So I guess that’s why I flagged it up more than anything else. The design had been modified slightly (but still very recognisable) and had been used in a different way, but I agree with you – I guess we’ve all gotten our inspiration from somewhere…
Flora
Great conversation Amy! I for one scout my neighbourhood, daily articles, internet and look for visual inspiration everyday. It energises me and helps me focus on my work. This is how we deconstruct and make new work, isn’t it?
I had this argument all the time. People want to hog their fav artists, their actual daily blog reads, the websites that inspire them… And then claim they are so original. Art is meant to be seen and shared. Amen sister. Amen.
you are an inspiration even for nails! I think that’s great 😉
I think this is a very delicate question, but I always get myself thinking that maybe if it weren’t for copyright we could have even, say, the cure for cancer right now. Obviously to copy and to be inspired by are two different things, but anyway, there’s always more from where the original ideas (if there are still any in this world…) come from. What I ask myself is, if I design something in Brazil and somebody copies it in Asia, should I be upset? No. There’s no point in shipping a product from the other side of the world when you can have it local. And access to good design and good ideas should be spread. Those are my thought on the subject. =)