FLATTERY FOLLY

There’s a belief that imitation is the biggest form of flattery and why the design world is no different nor immune, I have some bad news and possibly an unpopular opinion for my fellow designers: it’s a foolish move. I know, I know. All those trendy mockups/sites/etc. get tons of praise, maybe even awards, but know regurgitating trends is to your detriment for three reasons.

First, it will make you visually lazy as a designer. Now am I saying it’s possible to avoid all inspiration or ignore basic modernity? No. But it’s one thing to be inspired and another to duplicate the latest craze.

Second, whether you’re in-house or a freelancer that’s offering design solutions to your employer/client, trends will make it more difficult for them to distinguish themselves among a sea of competition in or outside of the industry.

And last, but certainly not least, basing a large design solution like a site or identity system on whatever is hip is equivalent to slapping an expiration date on it. And what happens once that omnipresent trend expires? The employer/client will have to spend additional time and money to redesign. And neither you nor them wants that.

So what’s the solution? Take trends with a grain of salt, stay inspired/add your own twist, think in the long term, and put the Kool-Aid down.