Lack of Original Design Concepts

[libbyelliott]

Over the last few weeks I've really noticed that there are several designers on this site that just recycle the same design concepts over and over for different companies. Unfortunately, some of the contest holders like these logos, but I don't think they have a clue as to how unoriginal they are.

It's really frustrating to see people get rated well for a design that's already been done.

Corporate Identity is about expressing the individual company in a unique graphic mark that is their own.

We as designers have an obligation to the company to provide them with that. Whether it's a contest or not.

I thought this community was different, but with all the open contests now... it's garbage in and garbage out.

I'm not even sure the administration is keeping up on Elite Design Team applications.

[sharie]

I think there will always be some of what you are talking about in any open contest. We do our best to keep up with any kind of plagerism we find. If you see plagerism then let us know so we can handle it.

As far as Elite Applications..It takes about a month to get to the poll voting section of the application, It says that in the application process as well. I will not rush the application process.

You have been here at DC for a month and see we have garbage in and garbage out..please make a list of of the ones you speak of so we can deal with the issues you speak of.

Over the last few weeks I've really noticed that there are several designers on this site that just recycle the same design concepts over and over for different companies. Unfortunately, some of the contest holders like these logos, but I don't think they have a clue as to how unoriginal they are.

It's really frustrating to see people get rated well for a design that's already been done.

Corporate Identity is about expressing the individual company in a unique graphic mark that is their own.

We as designers have an obligation to the company to provide them with that. Whether it's a contest or not.

I thought this community was different, but with all the open contests now... it's garbage in and garbage out.

I'm not even sure the administration is keeping up on Elite Design Team applications.

[libbyelliott]

Here's a great example... These are essentially the same logos with minor adjustments.

Nothing creative or unique about them at all.

[libbyelliott]

Image 1

[libbyelliott]

Image 2

[libbyelliott]

Image 3

[like an angel]

Hello
i know what design is coming next ..
i just want to tell u that there's no problem if the designer used his OWN idea that hasn't really won anything before..like in ur first example.. the (Moblify) design by imar183 was not the one CH chosen..so it's still usable..!!
so why not he use his own (Very good ) concept in other work.. this is a bad example to refer to "garbage"
in my point of view it's a waste to dump a quality & non used concept if it can work for something else!

i try as hard as possible not to do that..but still i wont through the things i worked really hard on just like that!

i have no comment on the elite team part..sharie have said enough..!!

[libbyelliott]

My point is... I can put any letter of the alphabet in a box and stick it in front of a word, but that doesn't make a good concept. And in my opinion its ripping off the CH.

I guess that's why some of these contest sites have a bad reputation.

I joined this site because I have a 9 to 5 design job that is very specific in the nature of materials we produce (hunting and fishing) and I wanted a way to divert my creativity to other areas.

As a professional, it burns me to see clients paying for lack of a better term, "stock" logos.

[sharie]

The point is it is your opinion as to what is good or not good. The designer has every right to use a design that they have created and has not sold. It is up to the CH in the end to choose what they want. If there is plagerism involved then we ban the member, it is that simple. What I think is good or bad is different from you and the same goes for anyone.

What is creative to you might not be creative to another. In the end it is the CH that chooses what they want. The last example you gave "libertas" is different than the designs from the designer you gave. I'm not even sure why they are an example. In a way that is like saying every logo with some kind of swoosh isn't unique or creative.

[sharie]

Please send me the info on the designer you are talking about in a pm please

[QUOTE=like an angel;132248]Hello
i know what design is coming next ..
i just want to tell u that there's no problem if the designer used his OWN idea that hasn't really won anything before..like in ur first example.. the (Moblify) design by imar183 was not the one CH chosen..so it's still usable..!!
so why not he use his own (Very good ) concept in other work.. this is a bad example to refer to "garbage"
in my point of view it's a waste to dump a quality & non used concept if it can work for something else!

i try as hard as possible not to do that..but still i wont through the things i worked really hard on just like that!

i have no comment on the elite team part..sharie have said enough..!!

[libbyelliott]

It's stressed by the administration, how much this site is suppose to be a design community. That's why forum participation is required.

That's all I'm talking about here. Design. Good design isn't as subjective as fine art.

If we can't talk openly about what good design should be, then whats the point of having a forum. It will just host a bunch of useless links to something "cool" so people can get there post counts up. I haven't been too many recent threads where design is actually discussed.

[sharie]

To talk design is perfect but to put down other members for what one might think is lacking originality is not the way to go about it. Debating good/bad is chatted about here in many threads. It is also encrouaged but one should always be careful because that opens you up to being critiqued as well, Looking at your portfolio here on DC I see your designs as no better, no worse than others.

I myself have used snowflakes in some of my logo designs and jumping fish, with that being said that doesn't make your designs or mine lacking in originality or make them out of the "box" logos. I don't think it is a good idea to put down other members of a community for for creating a design with elements from a design that didn't sell plus originality is subjective, there are ver few elements that have not been worked or reworked to go into a logo. Presentation is almost as important as the logo itself.

If it is designs you want to chat about then great! Why not talk about a logo in use by a company and talk about. What is good/bad about it not just that it lacks originality. Discuss what is actualy good or bad or why it won't work or will work.

It's stressed by the administration, how much this site is suppose to be a design community. That's why forum participation is required.

That's all I'm talking about here. Design. Good design isn't as subjective as fine art.

If we can't talk openly about what good design should be, then whats the point of having a forum. It will just host a bunch of useless links to something "cool" so people can get there post counts up. I haven't been too many recent threads where design is actually discussed.

[Coy]

It's stressed by the administration, how much this site is suppose to be a design community. That's why forum participation is required.

That's all I'm talking about here. Design. Good design isn't as subjective as fine art.

If we can't talk openly about what good design should be, then whats the point of having a forum. It will just host a bunch of useless links to something "cool" so people can get there post counts up. I haven't been too many recent threads where design is actually discussed.

intersting points you've given. the examples in all three cases are similar yes but still differnt. there are tons of these type of icons and that is fine it's a "trend" kinda. For some companies it fits the bill and why that submission had better feedback then some others. In the end it's up to the CH to deside what they like or dislike.

I've had plenty of designs that I felt were FAR superior than most the others but it was never even considered and I've even received props from many other designers about it being "great""unique" and so forth.

But depending on the contest and what the ch wants if I've allready made an icon that will fit the CH's brief then I'll use it. I see no reason not to. If they don't like it then that is my fault. But to me it was a better design.

I've seen designs win with sloppy kerning and amature at best Icons. but it was a "good" design to the CH since it's the winning design. I can't speak for the CH and tell them this is wrong or that is wrong since they are the ones paying for it.

I'm all for talking about good and bad design but in the end it's really not our choice. We as designers are looking to be creative and have a "payday" but we have to do that with in what the contest holder is requesting.

I would like to see some of your examples of good design?
You've shown us what you feel is not good, but maybe a couple more.
Then we can all talk about what we like or dislike about them and how they can improve?

[Chung Dha]

Yeah, I have noticed it too but also I did it few times too but mostly cause the design did not won previous contest nor got sold or used by other companies but had the correct image for certain company. Just rename and alter and try it at other contest.

However if you find out that it was already used by companies, it should be reported. But if you find it designed by same designer at other contest and not won I dont think is it much of a problem that a designer re-enter a design that had not won.

I had like reported allot of entries in the past that had copied logo that were found on the internet. Mostly do research what is already out the also get little inspired but never copy any existing designs.