I am a designer and many times I come across works of my co-designers,friends and people at large who give a glimpse of "that" design which I had seen before somewhere clearly influencing this design right in front of me !
We all do take our inspirations and hints from many sources and with internet this has grown considerably and is a very potent and positive thing we could ever have at a mouse click.
The boring part comes when you start thinking upon coming across a design that you had indeed seen this somewhere sometime ago too ! even before when this design was created.
I know the people of my trade might have understood what I mean to say here,anyhow let me say it for those who haven't.
Would it not be boring to design a design 'inspired' by the logo of say Coca Cola with only the outlines and colors changes? What would you as a professional feel if someone says that your design seems to look like a close resembling 'cousin' of a design by someone else? What can you put in (rather) put up on stake if you get branded as an excellent copy professional. Would it take you to the next mile?
Well enough of questions,let us answer this in simple words.Yes we do take inspirations on occasions but that should not 'influence' your creativity !!!
A designer has to use the same colors,same client specifications,same design advantages and shortcomings to their fantastic best.This is what we people do and do really well.
Let us be a category rather than be categorized.
