Comments on: Is your copycat design making you forgettable? + my favorite design sites (for inspiration)

By: Cecilia Moorcroft

Cecilia Moorcroft — Fri, 17 Aug 2012 04:40:02 +0000

I just found you today Shenee and I just love your brashy, sassy, so you style. Thank you for being yourself. I have a confession to make… I am designer phobic. I have started the branding/rebranding/design process so many times and I have never, ever, followed through. I’m not sure what my fear is. I could say that it’s about the money, but I’m totally willing to spend it on other things.

I am afraid that it will look like somebody else and not me. I’m clear on not wanting to copy, but it’s hard to imagine what “my website” could look like. I’m afraid of the commitment. It feels like a tattoo, and I’m pretty clear that I better love my logo/brand as much as something I would willingly ink on my body for the rest of my life, because it feels that permanent. Maybe I’m taking it too seriously… In the meantime, I have a website I’m frankly embarrassed of and no clear branding to speak of. I mean, I have me, and I’m pretty cool, but the more me I become, the more the way I present myself to the world feels off.

By: iamtamisha

iamtamisha — Fri, 17 Aug 2012 04:25:33 +0000

@CeciliaSpace absolutely. We are all in this thing to change lives I hope and always a work in progress. I know I am! Thanks for the mention.

By: CeciliaSpace

CeciliaSpace — Fri, 17 Aug 2012 04:17:55 +0000

@iamtamisha “if you question if it’s too tight, too short, or not appropriate for work, it’s a no.”
This is so helpful, thank you. For clothes and for life. I’m always amazing at how many times we need to learn this lesson. I used to facilitate Cuddle Parties and one of the rules is “if you’re a maybe say no”. Hell yes is even better.

By: enrichingkids

enrichingkids — Sun, 29 Jul 2012 21:53:38 +0000

Shenee, this is so touching to a person that is a non website person. And am looking to create a site this is a true reflection of self.

By: BrittanyBrown101

BrittanyBrown101 — Sun, 29 Jul 2012 19:32:15 +0000

This is so true! I forget who I learned this from but for a while when I was first starting my business I’d beat mysef up for not being where or not having as great of designs as some people I looked up to online. Then someone said, if you want to be the best, you can’t do what the best is doing now, now that they’ve succeeded , you have to do what they did to start. With that said, I follow and admire people who let their individuality shine through – copycat design is just the opposite. We ALL have to start somewhere – and looking/feeling/speaking exactly like the big shots is not the way to go. There’s a huge difference between pulling from people’s ideas for inspiration and stealing their design elements! Well said Shenee!!

By: iamtamisha

iamtamisha — Fri, 27 Jul 2012 14:44:56 +0000

Shenee, I LOVE your digital space! Thanks for writing this – hot topic right now. As an assertiveness coach, one of the big things we discuss is the difference in confidence and entitlement. I’m w/ @Zsofi up there that I get sad when I see people not only copying, but blatantly thinking there’s absolutely nothing wrong with it and that they are entitled to use as much of the design elements they see as possible. In talking w/ several copywriters, designers, and indie-preneurs over the past 2 weeks regarding this issue, they all say exactly the same thing. It’s the elements that come together that create the brand and the brand messaging. Something I learned from Danielle LaPorte – “if it’s not a hell yes, it’s a no.” To me, it’s like getting up and getting dressed – if you question if it’s too tight, too short, or not appropriate for work, it’s a no. If you have to constantly defend, write for permission, and there’s even a SHRED of doubt about your elements being a copy, changes need to be made. Can’t wait to review your design inspirations! Great post!

By: KerryJeffery

KerryJeffery — Wed, 25 Jul 2012 22:08:11 +0000

Thanks Shenee,

I am one of those people who does not “get” design so thanks for the resources, they are awesome! Just simple things like knowing which colour goes well with another helps me enormously and seeing how the professionals (including yourself) do it is so useful.

By: attractalife

attractalife — Wed, 25 Jul 2012 15:45:22 +0000

I’ve just discovered your work Shenee–I think you and your site are awesome! Love the straight, tough love talk.

My own experience of branding parallels my own personal journey as a solo-entrepreneur. My website has all along and continues to be a reflection of me and who I am becoming. So, when you copy others, you’re essentially denying and jipping your own voice and identity to shine through and emerge. Seeing my website evolve has at times been painful to watch because it’s never been the “bigger” version of myself that I really want to come through. But I’ve learned to make peace with it’s imperfections and let it and ME evolve.

Thanks for the inspiring blog!

By: heyshenee

heyshenee — Wed, 25 Jul 2012 13:31:14 +0000

@TabithaJayne that is the AMAZINGNESS of a great designer. If you let them be creative, they can do awesome things

By: heyshenee

heyshenee — Wed, 25 Jul 2012 13:30:49 +0000

@Tanzie Johnson it is the instinct! for sure! I see the site and I am like “oh, wonder if I missed a post over on that site.”