Is this “inspired" or "copy”- is there a difference?

There has been a great deal written online about Studio One and Shepard Fairy - who I have the greatest respect for. My recent Tee Battle design was taken from an old photo I found on the net and inspired from old Chinese propaganda images, however these are the same posters that have been used as a source of Mr. Fairy (granted he has a very broad body of work and uses many resources which you can read about here)

So taking inspiration in color and shape, I broke out the pen tool and proceeded to create a new piece - giving additional definition to the bullets, face, hat trim and jacket.

Pancho Villa was a revolutionary and seemed to be a perfect fit for that propaganda feel.

So - what are your thoughts? Do you think this design stands on it’s own? or is it to inspired from similar works.

1. 

   layne said about 1 month ago

   and here is the tee:
   
   http://emptees.com/tees/9224-teebattle-round-2-francisco-pancho-villa

2. 

   Birdie3431 said about 1 month ago

   i would consider that inspired. yeah obey uses the "cut out" filter look on most of their designs, but whatev’s. i like it btw

3. 

   cyanide said about 1 month ago

   Its inspired however the only possible issue here is if the image you traced is under copyright and used without permission.

4. 

   chalk said about 1 month ago

   i think 9 out of 10 people you showed this to would say it’s an Obey poster

   if you’re happy with that then cool, it’s a strong graphic

5. 

   LitoQ said about 1 month ago

   yeah def inspired I wouldn’t goes as far as to call it a rip or "copy"

6. 

   mattschoch said about 1 month ago

   obey doesn’t own this style of art though, so you should be good.

7. 

   Robmcbride said about 1 month ago

   It’s not even close to a rip.

8. 

   skullface said about 1 month ago

   Robmcbride said: It’s not even close to a rip.

9. 

   Randomentity said about 1 month ago

   Robmcbride said: It’s not even close to a rip.

   mattschoch said: obey doesn’t own this style of art though, so you should be good.

   exactly, a style is a style. No one says anyone can "own" a certain style of art. Kandinsky didn’t own abstract expressionism, Fairey doesn’t own propaganda/red/creme/black style art.
   i think it looks rad, the shapes could be a little tighter.

10. 

    dcastle8183 said about 1 month ago

    As far as I’m concerned the photo was just used as a reference and the style is inspired by propaganda art. Shepard Fairey with Obey didn’t invent that style like Randomentity said.

11. 

    benzoe88 said about 1 month ago

    its inspired! i would def wear it

12. 

    a killer wombat said about 1 month ago

    Inspired, trust me we got a lot of flak from people saying our in:aviate cover was a total rip off of obey... but truth me told its impossible to make anything these days that is propaganda style without being compared to obey, and the pure fact that people are making that comparison means you did a good job.

    As far as sheppard getting upset, trust me, he isnt. I recently went up to studio one to go meet and talk shop with him and the design work we do. He ended up basically saying art is a non stop place of inspiration from those before you, how can he be mad at someone being inspired by his work when he was inspired by the russian propaganda artists before him?

    Basically, yes, you can do a similar style but change it up a bit, put your own flavor in it.

13. 

    Randomentity said about 1 month ago

    a killer wombat said: Inspired, trust me we got a lot of flak from people saying our in:aviate cover was a total rip off of obey... but truth me told its impossible to make anything these days that is propaganda style without being compared to obey, and the pure fact that people are making that comparison means you did a good job. As far as sheppard getting upset, trust me, he isnt. I recently went up to studio one to go meet and talk shop with him and the design work we do. He ended up basically saying art is a non stop place of inspiration from those before you, how can he be mad at someone being inspired by his work when he was inspired by the russian propaganda artists before him? Basically, yes, you can do a similar style but change it up a bit, put your own flavor in it.

    how was that, btw?

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