please, please, please, please, please, do not copy the designs of other creators. do not lift from them. do not purchase their products just to steal whatever elements they’re using (because often times, you don’t know where they’re sourced from and you could be taking licensed assets that you could get in SO much trouble for commercially using).
once again: something you think is cool or trendy in a creator’s borders, especially, is something very special and unique to them. a lot of the times, we’re forced to make changes and do something new because people keep lifting from us and we are desperately trying to stand out, and because of how often it happens, it is so creatively draining to our process and we burn out.
if you see someone doing something you would also like to do, ask for permission first. the worst someone can say is no. if they say no, at least you asked! do not just copy or mimic without asking. do not take inspiration from them without asking. do not use their designs as a reference to make your own. that is not okay.
i’ve had an issue with someone referencing my work for six months, almost seven now, ever since they first followed me. not only that, they escalated to referencing the work of several other creators in the community. this is not okay. this is so disrespectful. they were already confronted once before for making nearly an exact replica of someone’s border, and i confronted them yesterday about copying me to such a degree that people were assuming some of the borders they created were designed by me, as well as once again heavily lifting from other designers. i did not receive a response and have been ignored instead, so i am making this post as a warning. if in the future i continue to see any icon border design, or anything at all, released that looks heavily like anyone else in the community, i will be making a PSA about them with the evidence. because this isn’t cool. it’s not okay. it’s not difficult to be original, or at the very least ask someone if you’re allowed to take inspiration and then credit them for a concept. it’s so simple.
please do not take inspiration from others without their permission. it’s one thing for several people to create similar designs of something that’s super generic, but it’s another when you’re blatantly and purposefully using something specific that you know a specific creator is using in a specific way. a lot of creators who make premium products, we do it because we are trying to support ourselves, be it for bills, pets, family, medications, college, etc. so please, ask before you act. do not just take.
also, if you get caught stealing or referencing other people’s work, please just own up to it. please take responsibility and hold yourself accountable for what you did. just ADMIT it. say you’re sorry. you owe us that much.
