The Art of Plagiarism
Advertising creatives have an odd rule when it comes to plagiarism. I think it says a lot about the ingrained arrogance of the industry that you can copy any film, art or photographic style, comedian's routine, in fact anyone or anything, as long as you don't copy an ad.
I have heard it said countless of times, 'Great ad, pity it's been done', usually followed by the agency name and year of creation, as the all-knowing CD goes over to his D&AD annuals and finds it for you. Proof, as if proof were needed of his greatness when it comes to the history of ads.
The t-shirt industry obviously don't share this obsession.
Howies original
Mr Cloud's T-shirt Emporium rip-off
Seeing this made me angry. I now don't like Mr Cloud. Why? Because they're lazy and stupid and spend all their time surfing other t-shirt sites looking for the easy way to a good idea.
But the thing is I actually don't know who was first, I based my assumption on the fact Howies is an old friend (known for it's integrity), while Mr Cloud is a new acquaintance, regardless of whether I'm right or wrong. In fact I'd probably take this position even if I found this t-shirt design on some kid's MySpace page.
Okay, what I know of Howies and what I can gleam from Mr Cloud's website would suggest I'm probably right, but I don't know for sure, maybe Howies just improved on the design.
In a world where we are all now meant to be creating content and posting and uploading and plagiarising and inspiring one another, this is going to create a whole new level of problems for brands and their agencies.
Its getting harder, but with more channels than ever it shouldn't be impossible to make new ideas.
Musicians only have 12 notes but most songs still sound original.
Posted by: Rob Mortimer | 11 January 2007 at 11:51 AM
High St fashion is built on plagiarism. The design team from the "fashion retailer" where my wife works go shopping around the world every quarter.
They basically buy what they think looks hot and when they come back they "re-interprate" what they have bought.
As for the design on the t-shirt, I reckon that was a street art stencil long before it become a t-shirt print.
As the Designers Republic used to say, "Talent Borrows, Genius Steals."
Posted by: Stan Lee | 12 January 2007 at 10:01 AM
Creativity's great but plagianrism's quicker. Thankfully blogging means people will get found out more.....
Posted by: Open to everyone | 12 January 2007 at 12:40 PM
Most of Howie's stuff is original, maybe it's no accident that it was started by an advertising creative. The catalogue's are great to read even if you don't want the clothes
Posted by: Northern Planner | 12 January 2007 at 12:42 PM
Mr Cloud? Huh!
I ordered a t-shirt 10 days ago on "Usually dispatched within 2-3 working days". No sign of it and no response to my emails to them asking for an ETA. I'm starting to think this wasn't a good idea.....
Posted by: Jimj | 12 February 2007 at 01:54 PM
DON'T USE MR CLOUD! It's less a T-shirt shop, more a fraud. The only response I've had to increasingly insistent requests for either my T-shirt or a refund is the suggestion that PayPal won't bother to investigate if I complain. Great customer service, huh?
Posted by: Jonathan | 09 November 2007 at 08:55 PM
DON'T USE MR CLOUD! It's less a T-shirt shop, more a fraud. The only response I've had to increasingly insistent requests for either my T-shirt or a refund is the suggestion that PayPal won't bother to investigate if I complain. Great customer service, huh?
Posted by: Jonathan | 09 November 2007 at 08:56 PM