Imitation is NOT the sincerest form of flattery!

Ok, so I don't post that much. But I do observe A LOT. And this is an issue I just have to vent about: IMITATION. No, I don't think it's flattering, and I certainly don't think it's "good business sense" at all. Frankly, it just pisses me right off. I'm not an artist per say. But I am a writer, a designer, and a very creative person. And I take everything that I work on very seriously and personally. Over this past year, working with Gill Bates on MMOART, I've researched a lot, I've learned a lot, and we both have worked very hard at what we do. We're always trying to take things a little further, to be as original, and innovative as we can; from Gill's artwork, to all the content I've written on our site, and the overall layout and site elements we both designed. And that knowledge of how much work we both have personally invested is what hurts and angers me when I see our efforts blatantly copied, sometimes verbatim. There just comes a time when enough is enough!

Now we're planning on addressing this issue directly (finally after almost a year, lol). But how do you all feel about imitation, as artists and creators yourselves? I mean, everyting about what we do comes down to personal creative ability. And when you copy what someone else does, you're depending on their ability for yourself, not your own merit or skills or efforts. There are plenty of ways to successfully present yourself without copying another's ideas and hard work.

Do you REALLY think imitation is just a flattering gesture or a slap in the face?

I think it depends on what you mean by "Imitation".

The reason I say this is, there are several definitions of imitation; and they run the gamut from what I feel would be truely flattering... to downright copyright infringment.

If you mean imitation in the "You stole my drawing/redrew my work and passed it off as yours" - yah, I'm right there with ya.

However, if you speak stylistically I'm not sure I can support your position. Everyone's style is going to be subtly different - but some styles (comic art in particular I find) has a degree of standarzation. Its hardly 'standardized' but there are certain things your going to see in comic art - regardless of who's doing it.

I also feel that imitation, in a sincere non-infringing way, is definitely flattering. The key is to let someone know who the originator of something is.

Example: Say I paint the Mona Lisa by looking off of DaVinci's; it'd be pretty dumb of me to try to claim I created the Mona Lisa; but it still shows some ability to re-create it. Imitation in this fashion is a stepping stone; it improves your skills. This kind of work you definitely definitely *must* cite the original creator - its their work; and in the case of a living person you *must* have their permission to do it.

Another example: Say I really like a given art style; I'll say Juggertha's to use one of this board's best known people. Juggy's style is damn unique; I'd never make a pic and say it was purely mine if I used his style - mentally though, its an homage to that artist. I feel a piece in this example; should be written something akin to "By <name of artist>, Styled after <name of artist who's style it was>.

I think part of it, is Innovation - nobody starts out completely original, alot of us would love to believe we are, but, we aren't 'unique and beautiful snowflakes' - at least not by default. You don't start out drawing in your matured style - you start with maybe... batman in the style of the animated series you saw when you were 10; or maybe the transformers... etc...

It'd be foolish to claim you invented those things; but they are essential artistic building blocks.

Also, one must allow for what is called "Simultaneous Inspiration". Two people's style could be remarkably close without having ever even seen the other individual's work. In that case, you really can't fault the other individual; its their style as much as yours.

That said; its sad but true that people will try to steal, rip off, and otherwise defraud others; so a pic that looks suspiciously similar to one of your own would definitely tick me off a bit (I'm talking style, color and composition all three). But imitation on its own isn't bad as long as the original creator is given their due in the process.

[ QUOTE ]
I think it depends on what you mean by "Imitation".

The reason I say this is, there are several definitions of imitation; and they run the gamut from what I feel would be truely flattering... to downright copyright infringment.

If you mean imitation in the "You stole my drawing/redrew my work and passed it off as yours" - yah, I'm right there with ya.

However, if you speak stylistically I'm not sure I can support your position. Everyone's style is going to be subtly different - but some styles (comic art in particular I find) has a degree of standarzation. Its hardly 'standardized' but there are certain things your going to see in comic art - regardless of who's doing it.

I also feel that imitation, in a sincere non-infringing way, is definitely flattering. The key is to let someone know who the originator of something is.

Example: Say I paint the Mona Lisa by looking off of DaVinci's; it'd be pretty dumb of me to try to claim I created the Mona Lisa; but it still shows some ability to re-create it. Imitation in this fashion is a stepping stone; it improves your skills. This kind of work you definitely definitely *must* cite the original creator - its their work; and in the case of a living person you *must* have their permission to do it.

Another example: Say I really like a given art style; I'll say Juggertha's to use one of this board's best known people. Juggy's style is damn unique; I'd never make a pic and say it was purely mine if I used his style - mentally though, its an homage to that artist. I feel a piece in this example; should be written something akin to "By <name of artist>, Styled after <name of artist who's style it was>.

I think part of it, is Innovation - nobody starts out completely original, alot of us would love to believe we are, but, we aren't 'unique and beautiful snowflakes' - at least not by default. You don't start out drawing in your matured style - you start with maybe... batman in the style of the animated series you saw when you were 10; or maybe the transformers... etc...

It'd be foolish to claim you invented those things; but they are essential artistic building blocks.

Also, one must allow for what is called "Simultaneous Inspiration". Two people's style could be remarkably close without having ever even seen the other individual's work. In that case, you really can't fault the other individual; its their style as much as yours.

That said; its sad but true that people will try to steal, rip off, and otherwise defraud others; so a pic that looks suspiciously similar to one of your own would definitely tick me off a bit (I'm talking style, color and composition all three). But imitation on its own isn't bad as long as the original creator is given their due in the process.

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I'll have to second the squirrel.

I third the squirrel! Because that's a lot more thoughtful then I can be at the moment, and I concur with the statement.

Thanks squirrel, but my post has absolutely NOTHING to do with artwork or artistic styles at all. Sorry for the confusion. My post is specifically about the business aspect of art commissions, website design, and content that I personally wrote, copied for someone else's service.

Ahh, in that case - I'd be peeved too ^^ If they'd asked permission thats one thing... but if not, yeah, I'd be annoyed quite a bit. Sorry for misunderstanding. (<;.;> I spend alot of time thinking - so when something catches me... I just go!)