| I must accept that I regularly copy from other | | | | from. Rather, use the number off the other list to |
| websites. In fact, I specifically have a question in my | | | | indicate what site they're from. |
| web design questionnaire which asks them what | | | | Now, unless you're giving this to a designer, throw |
| websites they want to steal from! And in this article I | | | | away the original list. Don't refer back to it. If you are |
| tell you why that is important. | | | | giving it to a designer to actually design the site, |
| A brief disclaimer first: I don't advocate or encourage | | | | that's fine, but give that person the two new lists as |
| directly stealing designs, images or text from other | | | | well. |
| people's websites. Don't do it. It's not nice. | | | | It may be that, like my client, there's really only one |
| Recently a client was in a website planning meeting | | | | website you like. Do the same thing. Make a list of |
| with me. "What other websites do you like?" I asked | | | | the attributes you like about that site, then make a |
| him. | | | | new, prioritized list. It will probably still strongly |
| "James," he said, "I want my website to look exactly | | | | resemble the original site, but it will not be a direct rip |
| like this website," and he typed in the address of a | | | | off of their design. |
| website into my web browser. | | | | Here's rule number one. In the designing process, do |
| "Err, okay," I intelligently responded. Meanwhile, I was | | | | not look at websites you liked. And the second rule is |
| thinking to myself, "I can't just steal the design of | | | | this: occasionally break rule number one. |
| the website." So I told him, "Let's make a list of what | | | | You should definitely not constantly look at the other |
| you like about this website. Then I can make sure I | | | | websites while you're designing. However, you will |
| don't forget anything." | | | | occasionally ask yourself something like, "How did |
| So here's how you steal from other people's | | | | they do #5 on my list?" In that case, it's okay to |
| websites without getting caught. First, make a list of | | | | take a quick glance at that other site. But look at it, |
| 5-10 websites you like, and somehow want to | | | | then close that browser window. |
| emulate. As you're making the list, jot down | | | | These are the methods I used when designing my |
| anywhere from 2-10 things you like about that site. | | | | client's website that I described to you. At the end, I |
| Next, break that list up into two different lists. First | | | | looked at both sites, and showed them to my client. |
| copy down (and number) the websites you like. | | | | I was happy with how different they were, and he |
| Then, on a separate piece of paper, copy the list of | | | | was happy with how similar they were. So the |
| the things you liked, but put them in order of | | | | process works for me. |
| importance to you. Do not put the website they're | | | | |