Prequel/Sequel (Lecture Notes)

This lecture was based around the theory that no idea in Graphic Design is completely original. We were given the following quote which I think perfectly captures this.

"Those who do not want to imitate anything, produce nothing."
                                         - Salvador Dali

While we intend to be original and our actual thought behind a response to a project brief may be original, it will always be influenced by something that has already been created. However the fact that our intention was to provide a concept or a design that would reach an audience in a way that was unique, is what provides the actual originality in the idea.

The intention behind an idea is what makes it original. 

Tipping Point - Malcolm Gladwell

• The Law of the Few: 80% of any work is done by 20% of the participants
• The Stickiness Factor: the specific content of a message or visual image is what renders the impact memorable to an audience
• The Power of Context: human behaviour will always be strongly influenced by the environment that it is in 

The message that there must be always be an underlying message to the work that we create is very interesting to me, as it is important to remember that nothing should be created for the sake of making it. 

Internet Meme

http://s2.quickmeme.com/img/5a/5a0135ade6ec552b47e4b14445908c24085d96b2e97647aa4f041e06c3190b00.jpg

While an internet meme is something that most people will laugh at, it is essentially a superficial creation as there is no value or original thought behind it - so why has it been created?

There are also many issues surrounding these images and plagiarism. The idea of a meme is to use a viral picture from a movie or the internet and apply a funny or well known quote over it. However as the creators of these images do not own the rights to either element, the entire image will always be plagiarised from other sources. 

Everything is a Remix

The four part web series by Kirby Ferguson explored in detail the idea of originality to any piece of creative work.

You can legally "remix" something, i.e. provide your own spin on the piece. However if your work does not adequately distinguish itself from the original work then you cannot claim this as an independent piece of work made by yourself; the original creator must be credited.

Inspiration may be drawn from many things, including the style, language, inspirations, symbols and culture behind someone's design may be used for inspiration for your own project response, however it is your job as a designer to redefine these in a way that is unique to you.