Message to Designers

[M_I_C_K_E_Y]

I have posted this in Kellybell's thread this morning but I certainly didn't want her to think I was being unkind or voicing my concerns to only her. I love our little community here and know that everyone here is so kind and willing to share. I just wanted to put this out here to hopefully point out that we need to have respect for not only eachother but the work of our fellow designers. This is in no way aimed at Kellybell or any particular designer but made as a general statement so that we will all be happy here in our little corner of the boards.

I have no problems with others customizing designs that the designer is no longer around or has given clear permission to do so. It is very helpful and kind to step in and help in any way possible.

The hard part for me is when the designer is still ON the boards.

I have in the past tweaked others' designs for my own personal use but would not even think about tweaking them and posting them on the boards. (and especially would not do this without asking permission first)

There are times when we have all found really cute graphics online and had to do very minimal work to them to create a design. But, and I am only speaking for myself, I know that when I create a design, I am a perfectionist and it often takes me an hour or more to create the design to my standards. Whether that means finding the graphics, cleaning something up and then assembling the design with MANY layers.

So, I can say that it hurts a little bit to have someone use my design, do some very minor changes and then call it their own - when I was the one who did the hard work.

I am really not trying to be unkind, I just want to make it known how I feel. (and I would hazzard a guess that I am not the only one who feels this way)

I love that we have so many new designers on the boards. It allows all of us to be exposed to many different designs and many different design styles.

I would encourage all of you to play around with your own designs and find the style that works for you. More people will benefit from your new designs than from re-creating others' current designs.

Again, I hope that this is not coming across as unkind because I certainly am not trying to be.

I am sure that we all know how rewarding it is to complete a design that we are proud of. I wish that for all of you! Designing is very rewarding and very addictive. Which is why I have been doing it here for over a year and a half now. I love to design and I love our "little corner". I hope that you all know how appreciated you are! It is so exciting to see all the new designers and watch them grow. It helps me remember when I was first learning and how exciting it was when something finally WORKED!

All of you keep up the good work!

 

[Mckymousefn]

I am new to designing... and i applaud all of you that have made many great designs. I do agree.. people should not change something minor and then say they designed it, all that is going to do is have those that have been designing and helping others outs, stop doing it and lock their photobucket accounts and stop personalizing things for people.

In some eyes, its still a form of plagiarism... even if it is not copyrighted or anything.

Those of you that design for others... Thank you!

 

[rumblytumbly]

Amy,

I understand.


I agree, it's very exciting to see all the new talent and it's fun to see all the new original designs too! There are so many images to choose from it really seems like the possiblities for great designs are endless.

 

[donatalie]

I share Amy's sentiments exactly!

It is a blow to anyone that has worked very hard on something to have someone else take credit for their work or idea. This is true in all aspects of life.

I take great pride in the originality and craftsmanship of my work. Some of my designs have taken up to 8 hours to complete.
I hope everyone understands, at least a little, where I am coming from.

Thanks for listening.

 

[GoofTroop79]

Hi Amy,

I totally agree with and understand what you are saying. There was once way back when is started to design and i had saved another designers design and did not realize it, i thought it was an image i had found on the net. I felt so bad about it that. Now i am very careful as i would not want someone to take credit for my design. I am flattered when someone has been inspired by me and my try to recreate and idea i may have had but would be upset if a border or something was added to something i put so much thought into and someone claimed it as their own. I hope i don't sound harsh in these statements they sure are not mean that way. Now lets all group hug

 

[lisabelll]

I think this is a good reminder to all of us. It actually brought to mind when I was in college taking a research paper course. The professor told us to read the info then write what we remembered because 'OF COURSE theirs is perfect! It went through TONS of revisions to get there!'

It can be so tempting to take what someone else has made "perfect" and add a few touches. We need to all remember that the originator went through "tons of revisions to get it there!!"

And I agree, group hug

 

[Kellybell]

I know that this thread may not have been directly posted to me, but it does sound a little bit like an attack. I can not stress this enough that I NEVER took credit for the disigns and I practically sent a love letter in my first post stating that I was inspired by all of the other disigners and now I have been totally turned off by the whole experience. I stressed it over and over again that I was using images from other disigners and putting MY spin on it. And to be honest most of the requests for one of my original disigns. I hope this post does not come off as an irate person, but I am a little upset because you are making it sound like I was looking for all the glory and that is not the case my disclaimer DID state that I did not originate the disign but was inspired by others to maybe take it a step further! I guess I have been properly repromanded and maybe I should bow out before more people get upset.

 

[GoofTroop79]

Kelly,

I can only speak for myself but i was not trying to attack you at all. I was just stating my opinion. Now with that being said I love your original design and would love to continue to see you grow and see what creative ideas you can bring to our bunch. Hang in there.

 

[Disneymommy2006]

I would like to apologize to Amy and all other veteran designers. When I first found this board, I was so excited and I began saving all kinds of designs- not really understanding how everything here worked. I know that I used one of Amy's designs and added it to a pink Mickey head and put my "spin" on it but like one of the previous posters- I had no idea where the design originated or I would have asked and given credit. As a new designer, I have gradually learned how to tweak others designs by personalizing (for my family) at first, then doing more complicated things. Now I can create original designs and have begun to do so...I never wanted credit for anything that I did not do and I always tried to give the proper credit if I knew the originator- I just enjoyed helping others get a design they could use to "make some Disney magic." All of the designers here have so much talent that you have inspired me to learn new things that I never thought I would be able to do. Again, I am very sorry...if I have hurt anyone here!

 

[Kellybell]

I never wanted credit for anything that I did not do and I always tried to give the proper credit if I knew the originator- I just enjoyed helping others get a design they could use to "make some Disney magic." All of the designers here have so much talent that you have inspired me to learn new things that I never thought I would be able to do. Again, I am very sorry...if I have hurt anyone here! [/QUOTE]

My sentiments exactly, just worded better. I was a little flustered in my previous reply.

 

[M_I_C_K_E_Y]

I never wanted credit for anything that I did not do and I always tried to give the proper credit if I knew the originator- I just enjoyed helping others get a design they could use to "make some Disney magic." All of the designers here have so much talent that you have inspired me to learn new things that I never thought I would be able to do. Again, I am very sorry...if I have hurt anyone here!

My sentiments exactly, just worded better. I was a little flustered in my previous reply.[/QUOTE]

This was in no way an attack on you - It would be a shame if you left. I think that you have a true talent and are a true asset to the board.

Please know that I appreciate you, as well as the other designers, here on the boards and was just stating that I would love to see you (and others) shine through your own original designs because that is how we can all share our talents and gifts.

Keep up the great work!

 

[Kellybell]

My sentiments exactly, just worded better. I was a little flustered in my previous reply.

This was in no way an attack on you - It would be a shame if you left. I think that you have a true talent and are a true asset to the board.

Please know that I appreciate you, as well as the other designers, here on the boards and was just stating that I would love to see you (and others) shine through your own original designs because that is how we can all share our talents and gifts.

Keep up the great work![/QUOTE]

Thank you. I'll try.

 

[Disneymommy2006]

One more thing I think I need to explain....my DSIL (Hope) wanted many of the things that I personalized just for my children. I posted a thread just for her because it took forever to email things to her...I explained that in the beginning of that thread. She does not have a username or account here on the boards and said she could not figure out how to get one or request things so I posted things just for her there. Again that was explained on the thread in the first post. I think that thread may be a big culprit here but it was posted just to help her out. Again I am very sorry if I have created hard feelings.

 

[M_I_C_K_E_Y]

Lisa,
This message was truely not intended for any specific designer. I just wanted all of us designers to be on the same page and to remember to respect eachother, eachother's work and enjoy our little corner of the boards.

No explanation necessary! No hard feelings!

 

[Disneymommy2006]

Lisa,
This message was truely not intended for any specific designer. I just wanted all of us designers to be on the same page and to remember to respect eachother, eachother's work and enjoy our little corner of the boards.

No explanation necessary! No hard feelings!

Thanks...I just remembered that thread and knew a little bit of everybody's stuff was probably there. In retrospect, I should have emailed or printed directly for her. Anyhow... I really do appreciate everyone's talent and work here-like I mentioned before you guys have inspired me in so many ways!

 

[KristineN]

This is not meant to anyone in particular...

but I know how you feel Amy.

I have the same issue on the cruise board with my magnets...

I understand when people grab different elements of clip art and then make their own design...but it baffles me when someone takes an original design and just starts personalizing it.

Better yet...when someone tells you they find the picture in your phtotobucket account...except you photobucket account is set to private That one still has me confused....

I understand that everyone is enthusiastic and looking forward to their trips....it's just frustrating

 

[M_I_C_K_E_Y]

This is not meant to anyone in particular...

but I know how you feel Amy.

I have the same issue on the cruise board with my magnets...

I understand when people grab different elements of clip art and then make their own design...but it baffles me when someone takes an original design and just starts personalizing it.

Better yet...when someone tells you they find the picture in your phtotobucket account...except you photobucket account is set to private That one still has me confused....

I understand that everyone is enthusiastic and looking forward to their trips....it's just frustrating

Hi Kristine! Nice to see you!

 

[cerberus]

I have been offline all day and am just reading this. I hope that none of this was because I posted the autograph cover I personalized from Kari's stuff. I asked Kari for a blank one and told her the reason I wanted it was to make it into an autograph cover. The only reason I posted it here was to make sure you all thought it looked okay...I had trouble lining up the Mickey heads. Michelle was going to make me autograph covers, but she is just super busy and we leave Sat so I needed to get something done today. I did not want to ask another DISigner because of the short notice.
Trust me I am not taking up DISigning I am not creative enough for it!! If anyone was offended by my post I sincerely apologize.
I really appreciate all the time and effort you do to help others. I had planned to use some other blank clip art and personalize it for autograph covers for the other 3 kids we are going to WDW, if that is not okay please let me know. I tried using the other premade autograph covers in Michelle's photobucket, but they came out too blurry.

 

[rumblytumbly]

Just wanted to pop in and say I harbor no ill feelings toward any one on this thread for anything any one has ever done. Speaking only for myself I can say to everyone "Go in peace."

I have been offended in the past when I felt I wasn't given "proper credit" but I also need to remind myself that I have posted clearly that anyone can use my designs however they want. It did not occur to me when I did this that people might post them and pass them off as their own since this is not something that I would consider doing. Oh well, live and learn.

I also understand that sometimes you save an image that you love and then forget where it came from.

I remember when I was just starting to post designs and I inadvertantly did a design that was very similar to one Amy had. She kindly and graciously let me know and I just learned that I needed to do my OWN designs. I am now honored to consider Amy a friend.

 

[rumblytumbly]

I have been offline all day and am just reading this. I hope that none of this was because I posted the autograph cover I personalized from Kari's stuff. I asked Kari for a blank one and told her the reason I wanted it was to make it into an autograph cover. The only reason I posted it here was to make sure you all thought it looked okay...I had trouble lining up the Mickey heads. Michelle was going to make me autograph covers, but she is just super busy and we leave Sat so I needed to get something done today. I did not want to ask another DISigner because of the short notice.
Trust me I am not taking up DISigning I am not creative enough for it!! If anyone was offended by my post I sincerely apologize.
I really appreciate all the time and effort you do to help others. I had planned to use some other blank clip art and personalize it for autograph covers for the other 3 kids we are going to WDW, if that is not okay please let me know. I tried using the other premade autograph covers in Michelle's photobucket, but they came out too blurry.

Re: my designs: See the above post and don't give it another thought.