Quote Originally Posted by Eleventee View Post
That's like copying the Nike logo and saying "it's my first logo ever". Just because it's the first thing like that you've done doesn't mean you have to exactly replicate something that someone else has done. It's not like you've followed a tutorial, you've just seen an image you like and done the exact same thing. You won't learn by doing that.
I don't fully agree with this statement. There is such a thing as replication to improve technique. But for the same reason why I believe work that is made from following a tutorial should not be displayed as your own, so should work that you do in order to learn how someone did something. You should not parade work that you did not fully complete yourself. Sitepoint has a really good article that talks about stealing inspiration from surrounding sources, but do not confuse this with outright copying someone. http://articles.sitepoint.com/articl...esigners-steal

Schultz, ripping in itself is a very serious offense. It should not be taken lightly. On the void, you can be banned for repeat offenses. Everyone learns this lesson somehow, and better to learn it the hard way so you don't repeat the mistake. In the professional world, a rip would destroy your credibility and it would probably cost you the ability to get decent work. I don't think anyone else needs to say anything about it, but just so the message gets across to you. When you claim ownership of an "idea", it is indeed ripping. It's like taking the words from a Led Zeppelin song and calling it your own. The idea of a piece of art is the very thing that makes it art.

Soap hit the nail on the head when he said " not just work that shows you've broken the rules without really understanding what they are (or even what they are?)". Give your work special meaning, and prove to others your ability to learn, not just to mimic.

I hope everyone learns something from this. Schultz the best thing you can do is take this lesson literally and do your best to avoid doing it again. I'm going to recommend this thread be closed, to avoid further disruption.