Design It! Or, what?

OK, so this is not a funny post. Sorry, peeps.

Someone asked me to do something today which I strongly oppose. More specifically, a superior asked me to use an image of a celebrity on advertising for a bar. Even more specifically, to steal an image of a celebrity (meaning we don't have permission, nor have purchased rights) and use it to promote a specific event at more than a couple bars/restaurants around the country. Apparently, this "strategy" has been approved by the client and the company I work for has been released from all liability, should something happen.

I have refused to do it... not because I'm worried about getting in trouble, but because I feel the need to uphold my integrity in this industry where these kinds of practices run rampant. I'm fairly certain there will be no serious consequences (ie - getting fired) that come from my unwillingness to do this. In fact, I am fairly certain my position on this will be respected. However, hypothetically speaking, say it comes down to this: Do what I ask, or I'll find someone else who will. What would you do?

I kind of need a job, however, do I need any job bad enough that I will compromise this thing - this seemingly small thing - that I'm protecting?

I just gotta laugh.

Ahh... the things clients say. Here are some examples from this week:

"I want red and gold for my colors. I absolutely DO NOT want yellow."

OK, dude, seriously, I have no magic wand to make something gold/shiny/glittery. Gold = yellow (a hue/value of, anyway). Deal.

"Use silver for OSU."

See above comment. It's called gray. 

"I want a postcard that will be used to email tax and accounting firms."

 Really? You're going to email a postcard, huh? Let me know how that goes for you.

"Can you make a poster [11 x 17 (vertical)] look EXACTLY like my screenplay [1920px x 1080px (horiz)]."

Um, no.

"If you send them to print today, I will get them tomorrow, right?"

Ha! You're hilarious. (said in the voice of Stewie Griffin)

"It's supposed to be 'April Fool's Day'"

Nope, writer person, it's Fools'. Look at your AP style book. Or, I'll let you borrow mine... ya know, the one I use to check the grammar of people who are supposed to know how to use it.

"Please put this copy [2 page Word doc] on one side of the 4 x 6 postcard."

C'mon, do you really not understand that it won't fit? Most people can't read 4pt type.

"Download the logo off their website and make it big on the 11 x 17 poster."

*sigh* It won't work because it will be too pixelated. You see, web resolution.... oh, nevermind.

What else is there to do but laugh at them? Blog about them, of course! These people make me all the more appreciative of my good, smart clients. Thank God for them.

Just spend like an hour on it.

Don't get me wrong, I LOVE doing design work for friends and friends of friends. And when I can, I try to do it cheap-ish - or free - especially if it's for charity or something.

But sometimes, I just don't have the time/energy/money/patience to do freebees.... especially for acquaintances. Here's what irks me. Example conversation:

Friend of a friend of a friend: So, I need some design work done.

Me: OK, great! What do you need?

FFF: I need a logo. I want it to incorporate a running person, but abstract and a lightning bolt that symbolizes "ideas" and I want the lightning bolt to fade into the background. I like blue, orange and purple. And can you use that font that Martha uses on her blog? I just want it to be really simple.

Me: Um, OK... I can probably figure something out.

FFF: How much would that cost?

Me: Well, my rate is $XX per hour. I can get you a quote.

FFF: Oh, well OK... can you just spend like an hour on it then? That would be great, thanks.

*sigh*

I love design, but c'mon folks.

Burnt OUT.

So, I work a lot. Too much, probably... 45 hours a week at my full-time J.O.B... and 20+ at home on freelance work. I'm trying SO hard to get to the point where I can work on a contract basis from home full-time. But the downside is... I am stressed, overwhelmed, tired and grumpy. Thank goodness my husband is super supportive and takes care of most of the housework and dog responsibilities so I don't have to worry about them, all the while dealing with my aforementioned grumpiness. He's a saint.

Friends, I need to figure out a way to relax. Even if I'm watching TV or chillin' with Paul and the doggie, I'm thinking about the piles of work I should be doing.

I'm starting to feel physical manifestations of stress - sore jaw, water retention, heachaches... not good.

How do I make the most of the little bit of down-time I have while still working toward my goal? Suggestions needed!

It's "Make the Logo Bigger" Day. Can you make the logo bigger? Nope, BIGGER. It's not big enough. I'd like to see it bigger, please. DO IT!

Oh, how I love "Make the Logo Bigger" Days.

... or not.

Um, I CAN make it bigger (as in, I am able), but it will take over the ENTIRE thing. Oh, that's what you want? Well OK then. Awesome.

Design Ethics: Inspiration vs Plagiarism

I'm been wrestling with this question a lot lately: when does inspiration become stealing?

Here is my creative process in a nutshell:
1. Outline the parameters of the project
2. Research
3. Design concepts
4. Client feedback
5. Revisions (repeat as needed)
6. Finalize

Somewhere between #2 and #3, there is a line. On one side is "originality" and on the other is "been done." I've heard many times that design is really the art of taking ideas, using them and passing them off as your own. Are there really any new ideas? New to the context in question or the combination in which they are used, definitely. But really NEW?

As a designer, I am constantly aware of my visual environment. Part of that includes what is happening right now in the brains of other designers and what is getting published - i.e. trends. And what is a design trend but using the same idea and executing it differently or to convey a different message?

I try to be as original as possible, pulling things from my brain which has collected so much visual information that what comes out is an expression of many, many combined ideas. Even if it is inspired by things that are specific, what I create is new... I hope. Or as new as possible.

There are certainly lines I have been asked to cross and will not, such as slapping a logo on something without permission, using copyrighted images without paying for them or without permission, searching Google Images for a design I like and blatantly copying it.

But I feel as though the line is fuzzy... and for some designers I know, non-existent.

Thoughts?

For more "inspiration" on this topic, check out this blog.