Read this if you intend to copy my designs
I frequently get emails like this one:
Hey Zach,
I really like your new homepage design. It’s more or less exactly what I’d like for a homepage and I’ve been quite tempted to just outright thieve it ever since I laid eyes on it. That impulse makes me feel a little dirty, but… I’m in a bind. I can’t think of any way to improve the sparse, aesthetic simplicity of your homepage! So… I’m more or less writing this note to inquire as to how you feel about being blatantly ripped-off. Now, mind you, I make no money on the web, am not a designer in any traditional sense, and am far from ever
running in your same circles. That being said… Just a little what’s up.
In case you’re curious, I’m a post-doctoral research scientist studying visual attention and functional brain imaging at [redacted]. Beyond that, I’m an aspiring mathematician interested in measurement, in general. Lastly, I’m working on writing a book that [redacted] near the turn of the last century.
If there’s anything you want to know about anything you think i may know, please ask. Additionally, if there’s anything you’re willing to accept as trade for your mean design chops… please, please, let me know.
Best Wishes,
[redacted]
If you’re considering writing me a similar letter, to convince me to give you permission to imitate me, I’d like to offer up a response now to save you the trouble:
Sure, please do. Feel welcome to use my design, or copy any other creativity or behavior I exhibit. However, in return, I ask that you do the following things:
1. Don’t install the design without improving it at least once in any way.
2. Email me to tell me about the improvement.
3. Give credit where credit is due, and include a link to me when you make an announcement that you changed up designs. That way, if someone likes it, there’s potentially a new friend in it for me and they’ll know how to find me.
4. Do what [redacted] did and offer me something you’ve created. Some of my most rewarding relationships were founded online serediptiously by people willing to exchange with me.
In the case of [redacted], I requested a copy of his manuscript to proofread, and a tour of his hometown the next time I visit. Fair trade, I think.
