Becka Griffin Illustration
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Copying... it's the way you deal with it that counts

15/8/2017

4 Comments

 
Copying is crap, there’s no two ways about it.  Seeing something that you created – that came out of your head – pop up on your Facebook feed, in an Instagram story, or in a private message from a friend or customer.  Yes, a word might’ve been changed, a layout tweaked slightly, but essentially there it is, your own creation, bastardised and ready to make money for someone else.  I genuinely get a physical reaction when I see it - I shiver and go all cold.
 
Nothing is truly original – it’s a simple fact.  Humans have been around for some six million years.  There have been over 100 billion human beings in that time.  Even if each one only ever had one creative idea in their whole lives, there’s bound to be some considerable overlap there.
 
We’re also now living in an age where we’re exposed to loads of different ideas – if the average person spends around two hours a day on social media that’s a heck of a lot of things we will see and – sometimes inadvertently – be inspired by.
 
I’d say that 99% of people in the world are good, honest souls, who would never intentionally copy anyone.  I will stand by that completely.  My initial reaction whenever anyone says “this is a copy of your work” is to question myself – “have you seen this before, did you inadvertently copy it?”.
 
I’ve been alerted to goodness knows how many Dinosaur Alphabets.  I didn’t invent dinosaurs - or alphabets - and although I didn’t find any others online when I completed mine, it’s definitely not to say I was the first person to draw one.  There are loads of other folk out there doing them and it’s no problem if it’s genuinely their own work.  I actually love seeing other people’s take on different alphabets.  I’m a proper alphabet nerd.
 
Over the weekend I saw a good friend of mine attacked on Social Media because she had created a design, which – by her own admission, when confronted with the original – was very similar to another local artist.  She’d definitely not copied it; it was a genuine coincidence.  She was really upset by the vitriol and abuse directed towards her by the “original” artist, and a group of her friends.  It was pretty distasteful, nasty name-calling - and totally unproductive.  At the end of the day, why the heck would anyone publicly share a work in progress if they’d willfully copied someone?
 
Which draws me to the main point of what I feel about copying – it’s not the being copied, it’s the way that you deal with it that really counts.
 
Coincidences happen.  And people will have the same ideas, at the same time.  Artists will also draw similar subjects – food, alphabets, skylines.  That’s been going on for centuries.  That’s not copying.  Heck, I’ve been accused of it myself – so I know how utterly distressing it can be if an unfounded accusation is made.
 
But when you see someone copy the exact wording and layout of a bestselling card design, you know damn well that it’s a copy.  So my general strategy in this instance is to deal with it quickly, privately and discreetly.  I think that causing a big fuss on social media just isn’t very dignified, and it’s going to cause ultimate distress for all concerned.

Picture
My original design - the Cheesy Birthday Card (also available for other occasions).
Picture
Picture
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A few examples of "inspired" cheesy cards.  None of these are for sale now.
The middle one is a particular favourite - my actual illustrations have been used on this one!


It’s also very telling, how someone who has copied you responds.  Some are very gracious and remove the product in question immediately.  I have, however, had a number of copiers argue with me “well I re-drew the cheeses, so it’s not a copy”, or “someone asked me to copy it” or – my favourite - “I’m just a sole trader trying to make a living”, are just a few that spring to mind.  Great, thanks for that guys, maybe just think of your own ideas in future, huh?
 
I have seen blatant copies of my designs in several high street stores – which really really hacks me off.  But if I am honest I don’t have the time or energy to pursue a lengthy and stressful campaign against the big boys.  I’d rather spend my precious time drawing new things, cos, well, that’s what I like doing.
 
I’m also not going to name and shame, it’s just not me.  I don’t want these ratbags to get any more publicity than they already have.  But even I have limits, and there are certain high street stores I keep a close eye on, especially round Valentine’s Day.  But I’m not going to be consumed by negativity.  My time’s more important than that - and I hate the drama and outrage that comes with it all.
 
So, copying.  In conclusion.  It’s not flattering, its downright bloody rude, and it’s stealing.  But, I have the capacity to come up with new ideas – out of my actual brain – so basically, I win.


PS I’m not a TOTAL walkover, I do have a series of bad wishes for the Horrors that actually copy me.  Mostly harmless but inconvenient misfortunes (and mostly involving poo), like stepping in dog poo, being pooed on by a bird, running out of toilet paper at a critical moment… I like to believe in low-level karma like that!
4 Comments
Vicky Crossley
21/8/2017 19:04:42

Hello
I am the "original" artist in question. I would like to clarify a few aspects of this article. I personally have not debased myself in "nastiness" "attacks" or "name calling" and its offensive to suggest I have been abusive!!!! please provide evidence as I am completely unaware of anything resembling abuse! i defiantly didn't direct it. I very simply pointed out the massive similarities to my work with pictures attached! What others say on the original thread is not a reflection on me and placing your pictures publicly on social media leaves you open to trolls and negativie comments as people love drama and exaggerating the truth. Also being told repeatedly that it looked completely different was frustrating, as it was by your own admission very similar. That coupled with the fact that she had walked past my work at the pottery once a week for 5/6 years then denied knowing me leaves me to think it is a little more than a "coincidence". it really upset me and made me angry! I think that's understandable !! I wholeheartedly reserve the right to defend myself and my work and also call out hypocrisy and contradiction. All of which took place on my personal page, and that is not a public forum to name and shame! if you receive second hand information about me "name calling" or being abusive then expect a certain amount of dramatic and exaggerated truth to accompany it! The post would of been dead and gone had it not been filled with hypocrisy and contradictions kept alive by one of her friends. I have no vitriol aimed at the other artist but please acknowledge that you have at least been inspired by the work you have walked past for years and that it does actually look remarkably similar!!! Don't try and convince me it's totally different! We all learn hard lessons in life and sometimes wish our behaviour had been different at the time ! its cause and effect! I won't be a walkover and I won't stand for being accused off attacking or nastiness if it is not soundly baised in reality. I am sorry your fellow artist is upset, but what makes her any different to the folk that have copied your work??? Because you know her and care and defend her and that's a loving thing to do, just as my friends supported me by stating that i wasn't mad and blind and that in fact the work was incredibly similar given that we were making in the same space! I have not seen any nastiness name calling or abuse from anyone at all or am I being blind??? I will say it's a learning curve on how social media works as I have never been involved in online drama before but please don't call me abusive when your reviving second hand information or reading something from someone I personally have nothing to do with.

Reply
Becka
21/8/2017 20:46:46

Thanks for taking the time to comment Vicky.

I've certainly not aimed anything I've said at any individual - and I've been very careful to anonymise any circumstances I've mentioned - I'm sorry you've had a hard time and that you identify with this situation, and I hope you can take something from the way that I choose to deal with this thorny topic.

Reply
Vicky
21/8/2017 23:13:48

Thanks Becca !
Well I think you have shown the two sides of being imitated and empathise in the fact it is not a form of flattery, but it's fairly obvious that the particular situation you pertain to is in regard to the events of last weekend even though my name has not been mentioned I was made aware that your article existed in regards to myself. I will state again that I have in NO WAY been abusive or partaken in name calling in regards to the other artist. Anonymous or not I am not bothered but I 100% stand by what I said and would absolutely love to be shown how where and when I have been rude abusive name calling or vitriolic if that is how the "victim" feels ! Only highlights how some people choose to operate by creating more drama by exaggerating and twisting the facts and attempting to turn the tables.
Thanks for highlighting the two sides of plagiarism but I prefer to point it out and be straightforward, factual and move on instead of harbouring any long term negativity.✌️

Becka
22/8/2017 10:19:47

Just to clarify, Vicky, I'm not sure if we're talking about the same thing. I can see that you clearly identify with what I have written - but I've been very vague, perhaps it's open to interpretation?

I hope you can find a happy resolution to your situation.




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    I've been a full-time self-employed illustrator since March 2014.

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