Comments on: Design Essentials 2: Originality

By: Design Essentials 3: Accepting Criticism | Graphic Design Blender

Design Essentials 3: Accepting Criticism | Graphic Design Blender — Mon, 29 Mar 2010 14:03:46 +0000

[...] two chapters of Design Essentials, we covered topics that dealt with the quality of your design: Originality, and Attention to Detail. While today’s essential design tip will help your designs look [...]

By: Ted Rex

Ted Rex — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 13:36:12 +0000

Great post. I made your page one of my three featured links on my Design Thought for the Day blog:
http://designthoughtfortheday.blogspot.com/2010/03/03-09-be-original-fbook-fan-page-apps.html

All the best, Ted

By: Logo Design Monster

Logo Design Monster — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 10:30:12 +0000

I think that designing just for the sake of design is a good point. Clients can often limit the way a design could potentially eveolve so it is nice from time to time to have complete freedom. Thanks for sharing, great post.

By: Mhaila

Mhaila — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 12:29:25 +0000

Loved the article.
I love design, even not being a designer (yet). My main question always is what is copy and what is just a trend. I struggle with this. And sometimes I come with an “original” idea, and later I see something similar. How to avoid this? Could be a good next article.

By: Noor Salah

Noor Salah — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 09:58:21 +0000

Thanks a lot for this topic

Its really big deal these days and a lot of designers need to know how to be more original and creative.

Thanks preston

By: Peach

Peach — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 07:02:54 +0000

Great read man. Very inspiring. Doing a personal project is the only way I find that allow me to break the rules completely without affecting anyone.

By: Leighton Taylor

Leighton Taylor — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 16:48:12 +0000

I find it very helpful to scan through good design that is similar in style or medium to what I am trying to create. This helps my ideas to flow and often allows me to come up with ideas that are not exact copies, but are inspired by the original work.

When you are looking at a piece of design that you really like and want to create something similar, a helpful question to ask is, “Why do I like this?” Is it because of the visual hierarchy, the basic composition, the details, the typography, the layout, how it communicates, or what? If you know WHY you like it, you can shoot for your goals without just copying the original design.

By: Federica Sibella

Federica Sibella — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 07:28:04 +0000

I’d like to add: try not to find inspiration only from your field (the web if you are a web designer, printing adds if you work in this area, …). There are great source of novelty and inspiration that you even wouldn’t think of, just be open-minded and you’ll find your way to make them yours.

By: ryanMoultrup

ryanMoultrup — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 19:37:30 +0000

Too often when you are staring at a blank screen with the intent to come up with something original and are drawing a blank. It is much easier to find other works that are similar to what you are trying to accomplish. This is the point where you make the decision do I copy what I like about the other persons work or create my own.

This is what I do. I copy what I like about the design.

but wait….

after I have copied the element that I like I then change them and make them my own. The design evolves with my personality until it looks nothing like the original.

By: uberVU - social comments

uberVU - social comments — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 18:39:26 +0000

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By: Valerie

Valerie — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 14:26:28 +0000

What I would like to add is don’t be afraid to encourage your clients to consider other possiblities, not get sucked into following their industry norms – but ultimatley design has to be usable.