📖 Copying fuels learning · The Bunker #64

Hey everyone.

Today we will talk about copying.

I know it's a complicated topic, we've always been told that copying is not right and that we should be creative and different if we want to stand out among other designers, with all the competition that exists.

Well, you're not wrong, but I'll try to give you another point of view.

Really, copying is wrong. But we can use it to our advantage to turn it into something not necessarily so bad.

Let's see how copying is really a good idea and how we can use it to our advantage.

The Role of Copying in Learning

When we talk about copying in design, we're not advocating for a lack of originality or encouraging plagiarism.

Instead, we're focusing on the deep, analytical process of understanding WHY certain designs work.

Think of it as reverse engineering. As a beginner, when you replicate a design, you're forced to think about each element - the layout, color choices, typography, and user flow.

This hands-on approach is incredibly effective for internalizing design principles. It's like when it's often said about learning anything new, "You've got to understand the rules well before you can effectively break them."

Make sure you firstly understand why certain things are done before you do something different with it.

Building a Strong Foundation

For those just starting in UX/UI, the sheer amount of knowledge to absorb can be daunting.

By beginning your journey with copying, you're giving yourself a structured learning path.

It's akin to learning a new language by first mimicking words and sentences before crafting your own.

This approach helps you understand the 'why' behind design choices, laying a solid foundation upon which you can later build your unique style.

And if you didn’t know it, every master was once a beginner who learned by imitating others.

Enhancing Creativity Through Imitation

Now, let's tackle a common misconception: that copying stifles creativity.

I really believe it does the opposite.

By exposing yourself to a variety of styles and techniques, your design vocabulary expands.

You start to understand the nuances of different approaches, which is crucial for developing a versatile skill set.

This exposure is invaluable; it allows you to blend different influences and experiment with them, leading to more creative and innovative designs.

Exposing yourself to a broad range of influences is key to developing a unique and effective personal style.

The Path to Finding Your Voice

The journey from imitation to innovation is fascinating.

As you grow more comfortable with the principles and techniques you've copied, you'll start to make more informed and confident design decisions.

This is where your unique voice starts to emerge.

You'll move from asking, "How did they do that?" to stating, "Here's how I can do it differently."

This evolution is a natural and necessary part of becoming a seasoned UX/UI designer.

It's about taking what you've learned and adding your personal touch, your unique perspective, which is what the design community values most.

And you will realize this when you take a design and do a deep analysis. That's when you'll say, "Wow, that's how they did it, it's good to know."

That's why I always mention that it's a very good idea to go to the Webflow template marketplace and enter the templates to see how they have been developed.

If they are templates that are exposed in the marketplace, we know that:

• Not everyone has permission to do this.
• These templates undergo a review before being published.
• What they will upload there is correct.

Ethical Considerations

It's crucial to discuss the ethical aspect of copying.

The goal here is to learn and grow, not to plagiarize.

And sometimes the line is very thin. We get carried away too much. And this can be influenced by having something too long as a reference.

Always give credit where credit is due, and never present copied work as your own, especially in a professional context.

As you progress, you'll find that copying becomes less about replication and more about inspiration.

It's a tool to spark your creativity, not a crutch to lean on indefinitely.

Copying, when done with the intent to learn and grow, is a powerful tool in the UX/UI designer's toolkit.

It helps you build a strong foundation, enhances your creativity, and aids in finding your unique voice in the design world.

So, embrace imitation, learn from the best, and then leap forward to create designs that reflect your individuality and creativity.

Remember, every great designer started somewhere, and many began by imitating the masters before them.

Just use it to your advantage, don’t copy literal certain things because that will be to your disadvantage.