Originality: a hard thing to come by
Today, it appears CaliforniaFox was listed on CSSMania, a website that showcases CSS designed websites. The only reason I know about this is because afterwards I received an email from my contact form calling this site a "Shameless Copy" of another website. (I will not be linking to the other site here, so don't ask)
If you don't know me personally that may be something that you could believe. But hear me on this one - I started this website with an empty Photoshop canvas and did not rip off, or copy someone else's design. As The web has been around for a long time and It has been years since I've seen a "completely original" design idea. Most sites, for the sake of user simplicity (and simply because it works) take similar form of content with a small navigation column: this site is no exception. I have seen various sites use the "big button" navigation theme on the top of the site with a header image. There is nothing new with that concept.... yet I guess my choice of colors are too similar to another site so that makes me a "shameless copycat."
Was I inspired by thousands of other websites? Definitely, who isn't? Did I copy or attempt to emulate one (or several)? No. My site is my own creative work - from scratch.
Recently Keith and Garrett had a " conversation" about this whole idea using their blogs, and made alot of really good points. Its not anything new in the design world. One person thinks someone else's design looks "like a rip-off" of design 'X', and the mud slinging goes from there. I will not be enganging in such slinging, but have this to say: Was I inspired by thousands of other websites? Definitely, who isn't? Did I copy or attempt to emulate one (or several)? No. My site is my own creative work - from scratch. The site that I am being compared to looks very similar to this site, and I can see how some may assume that I "copied" that design, but I can assure you that is incorrect. (Actually I am honored at the comparison, the site in questions looks awesome)
Thats all... nothing to see here. If you have comments, contact me directly...I won't allow my site to become a mud slinging arena.
In closing, please read Keith's conclusion on this whole topic - its well worth the read.
From that point it was all me, or so I thought. See—I surf sites and I analyze design. I can’t help but be influenced by what I see. I do my best to be original, but it’s difficult. Frustrating even. So what do you do?
- D.Keith Robinson
Comments
Crano,
Thanks for the kind words. I spent a good deal of time trying to push the limits of CSS and transparency to do some cool effects. Most people (while using IE or other browsers) simply miss the technicality of how the site works, and all the original ideas I put into it. For example: it would have been really easy for me to Photoshop the logo on-top of each of my header images, but instead I chose to overlay the "CF" logo and the drop shadow ontop of it. (If you are viewing this site in Internet Explorer, you won't see the drop shadow - you should get a better browser ;-)
I try to "encourage" all people to upgrade to a better browser - note the section "Can your browser handle" on the home-page for an example.
Thanks again for the kind words.
-Brian
Posted by: Brian Fox on June 11, 2005 04:12 PM
Brian,
I have been working on my mountain bike gallery / blog design for about a week now. I never even considered floating my logo on top of my header image. Hmmm...
Posted by: Crano on June 11, 2005 10:15 PM
I found your site yesterday via CSS Mania, and I think it is VERY original. It is SO hard to create something TRUELY original, but the way you have used the transparency is awesome, and you use of random header images is cool. Just one thing, png's are not supported using stupid IE, why not include a little message for those IE users to upgrade to Firefox. using !important in your css you can give those IE users a message. Fantastic site!!
Posted by: Crano on June 11, 2005 12:53 PM