Monday, March 17, 2014

Crediting Design Influence

This topic comes up almost as much as copyright infringement so I thought I would let you know where I stand on the subject.  This is me, I don't speak for how any other creator of stuff feels about it.

When I look deeply, artist may be too strong a term for me, I am a creator of stuff and have been since I knit my first scarf at 9 years old, maybe before when I made play dough beads or dressed barbie dolls with scraps of fabric.

It is at the core of who I am, it satisfies me like no other time spent.  I create because I have to.  Sometimes I am happy with what I create and since I discovered beads my love of creation and my love of adornment come together.

My creations are seldom planned, most often sitting down with a pile of beads and the very wispy sense of an idea.  Sometimes a piece of costume jewelry will influence a shape, or a color, sometimes a piece of glass or fine jewelry and sometimes just playing with the beads leads me to a new creation.

I know that at times I am subliminally influenced by something I've seen.  There is so much visual stimulation on the internet that  it would be almost impossible to not let influences creep in.  When I think of the growth in sophistication of beadwork these days, I think it is no accident that it coincides with the proliferation of images we are exposed to. If a similarity to my influence shows up in my work, it is as likely as not that I don't' even recall the original piece.  I of course never sit down to intentionally copy someone's design, so any work I do is original in that all of the influences I may have absorbed are changed up by my brain and my hands to create a new piece that is pleasing to me.

I hate the thought of being accused of not giving appropriate credit because someone somewhere sees a similarity to their work.  I am not saying this has happened to me, but I think it is at the root of this discussion every time I see it come up.

Although as I've said, I may have been subliminally influenced in my past,   I may also have just arrived at a similar design on my own.  If I were expected to give credit for that, I would find that unfortunate.  

If my designs influence other creators of stuff to create stuff I am happy that they saw value and added to their own repertoire and growth.  That's good enough for me, I don't need public credit.  It is not why I create.

As always, there are exceptions and fine lines. I get that if you use a significant design element from someone else's work, it would be polite to mention it.  Again for me it's not required, but I don't want to speak for others.


18 comments:

  1. Every time I think you can't get any more fantastic and gracious and wonderful, you do. I have such love for you and your designs, and for your outlook and generosity.

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  2. Nicely stated.
    You are always a class act, Marcia.
    A wonderful influence on the beading community as a whole.

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  3. Nicely said. I really just want to comment on your book, Marcia Decoster Presents, I brought it with me yesterday to read while I had my much needed pedicure. It is a wonderful book of kind thoughts and beautiful images...I love it. Thanks for all the eye candy!
    Diana

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  4. Exactly why you are my Beading Oracle of Sage Wisdom! I think your grace and patience are something we should all aspire to! Much love!! ♥

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  5. You wrapped it it all so very nicely with your words. Very well said.
    Thanks for adding to the discussion with such a positive light.

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  6. Thanks for sharing your thoughts! Nicely put!

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  8. This is so true! One beadweaving creator said "We don't create in a vacuum" and you have expressed it so very well. Thank you.

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  9. This is how I feel too. I saw a piece some time ago, which gave me an idea for a very different piece that I'm working on now. I have no idea who made the original. In fact, I can't even recall what the original looked like, I only remember the idea I had after seeing it. How to I credit that, and should I have to?

    Another example is when I saw this post of yours: http://maddesignsbeads.blogspot.co.nz/2014/01/focal-clasp.html . Not long aftewards I was crystal shopping and saw some AB Moss green crystals that reminded me of this bracelet. Technically, anything I make will be influenced by this RAW bracelet.

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  10. Absolutely! Similarities are just going to happen and there is no reason to fret. Your graciousness and kindness shine through here Marcia. For me, bead by bead copying is another matter...

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  11. From one creator of stuff to another, that is very well said! Thank you.

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  12. From one creator of stuff to another, that is very well said! Thank you.

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