Comments on: Good Designers Copy, But Great Designers Steal?

By: Jordi

Jordi — Sun, 19 Jul 2009 20:40:20 +0000

I can only see differences between both sites.

All design elements are different.

Seeing any similarities between them is an act of designonspiracy.

OTOH, if someone, better a Republican, copied Obama’s image he would get lots of attention for free. Imagine a news saying: “President Obama abusing an innocent and weak Maine candidate”

By: julian

julian — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 20:41:46 +0000

it seems like obama and this guy were partners or something

By: moonman

moonman — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 06:39:19 +0000

The logos are “fraternal twins”. The width of the Otten site is exactly the same measurement in pixels as the Obama site. They should at least have the courtesy of admitting they were “inspired” by Obama’s site. Well, Insyt, the guys who created the Otten site, have a horrid site anyways so what do you expect. Even their site’s navigation look is Apple-ish.

By: Jeff Deibel

Jeff Deibel — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 17:11:42 +0000

A lot of websites look alike. Most banks have very similar online experiences. The question I pose is: Is it ripping or just good UI practices? (for the moment, let’s overlook the logo plagarism)

People like to be in familiar places. Online is no different. I want to walk into a store and know where the cash register is, the same thing applies to web.

Simple Scott developed a powerful design aesthetic with the Obama campaign site. It’s memorable and the aesthetics carried over into the overhaul of the White House’s website. As a result, these strong sites have now established the look and feel of what consumer associate with political web design. Just as the color green has signified organic, earth-friendly products in package design, the Obama look is quickly becoming what constituents associate with political websites.

Although, Otten’s site lacks creativity, it proves that branding doesn’t stop at logo design. Every element of the marketing campaign has to coincide with the overall established design aesthetic for it’s industry. Banks all have strong structured logos, to symbolize security and strength. The Obama look is very friendly & confident and captures what people want out of their leaders.

I am confident we will see this more and more. Hopefully, rather than taking, other designers will come along and add on to this new political aesthetic.

By: Kostandinos

Kostandinos — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 16:55:40 +0000

There are no words… wow.

By: ignatz

ignatz — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 15:42:19 +0000

It’s pretty common for people who aren’t technically skilled at webdesign to take the source code of someone else’s and use it as a template. But these are professionals, right?

They’re being jerks. You recognize Obama’s site as soon as you see it. Just fess up, and try and turn it into a plus. The Prez is popular, after all.

By: Elio

Elio — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 15:37:49 +0000

I think that beyond the fact of the colours, the information structure and layout is also the same.
The logo is also obviously a rip-off. I don’t think that this is just following the trend. It’s not inpired by. It’s more like taking a structure, put away some sections that the new site doesn’t have and change some colours here and there.
I like the icons of Energy, Jobs and Efficiency, although Efficiency should have been frontal, like the two others.

By: Tim Wiseman

Tim Wiseman — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 15:35:57 +0000

OK, I haven’t read through all of the replies, so forgive me if this beats a dead horse … BUT this is most likely a result of the client saying – make my stuff (web, print, cards – branding) look like ‘fill in the blank’.

It’s our responsibility as designers, marketing professionals to lean very heavy on the importance of unique, strong branding that is one’s own.

Trends are one thing, the above is clearly a result of ‘I wanna be like Mike’ (or Pres. Obama) Creating a unique (quality) brand is not easy work, but it’s gold.

By: rcarmstrong

rcarmstrong — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 15:25:52 +0000

I don’t know– I saw an overlay last Friday of both sites (where ALL of the elements on the pages lined up and matched up perfectly), and I’m more comfortable in saying this is an outright ripoff, and not just a case of coincidental inspiration.

By: tyrale

tyrale — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 15:17:18 +0000

David Leggett makes a good call. There are only a few color palettes to roll with. There is no shame in trying to emulate Everything Obama did successfully, but you have to own up and give credit to where it is due.