Is My Web Design Copying Others?

**icu222much** · #1 23rd Jul 2009, 08:06

I am designing a portfolio to showcase my web creations. Earlier today I was working on a design and my brother walked by and said that part of the design looked awfully familiar. After looking around on the web, I discovered that it was very similar to the branding company Blast Radius.

I had no intentions of copying Blast Radius' idea but I think it is just a coincidence that I had come up with the same design as them. I remember last year I applied for an intern position at Blast Radius and so I spent a long time on their website researching about the company. I guess for some reason I really liked their design and it just stuck with me. One of the weird things is that even some of our wording choices are the same (ie - info, challenge, solution). However, the more I look at Blast Radius' design, the more generic and simplistic I think it is. To me, it seems like a natural and intuitive layout that a lot of designers would use. I am wondering if I am able to use my design without the risk of me being called a copycat?

I have attached screenshots. The orange one with the restaurant is my design. The more professional-looking one about Madden 07 is from Blast Radius. Furthermore, you can check out Blast Radius' website at http://www.blastradius.com/.

**Hybr!d** · #2 23rd Jul 2009, 08:09

It is similar but not identical, tough one to call

**4D(Fordy(Ford) Ollie** · #3 23rd Jul 2009, 08:11

It is quite similar..

If you changed the sub headings at the bottom, to whatever synonym, or just one of them, and mabe centralised that writing, it might look more unique.

Changing between left bias and central font can have a bigger impact than you'd expect.

Maybe you could also consider haveing the boxes side by side, instead of on top of each other?

If I'm honest I prefer yours anyway

**Carbon** · #4 23rd Jul 2009, 08:30

Depending on the size of each box I think left <-> right might be more natural anyway.

**icu222much** · #5 23rd Jul 2009, 08:31

Thank you for your opinions :)

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4D(Fordy(Ford) Ollie

Changing between left bias and central font can have a bigger impact than you'd expect.

Maybe you could also consider haveing the boxes side by side, instead of on top of each other?

What do you mean by 'Bias'?

Oh, the boxes aren't going to be side by side. The reason I have two boxes there is to show what happens when the person clicks on the links (1, 2, 3, 4, PDF, Info, Launch). The first box shows what an image of my project will look like. The second box contains written information regarding the project.

**icu222much** · #6 23rd Jul 2009, 09:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4D(Fordy(Ford) Ollie

If I'm honest I prefer yours anyway

Thank you :) I actually prefer Blast Radius', but I think it is cuz I've been staring at my design for far too long.

**4D(Fordy(Ford) Ollie** · #7 23rd Jul 2009, 12:49

By bias I just meant where th font is placed.

Left Bias.............................................. ..Center.......................................... ....Right Bias

**icu222much** · #8 23rd Jul 2009, 16:16

Sounds good.

How about the wording I used? For example, both of our designs use the idea of links to scroll through the different sections of the projects (01, 02, 03, info). The 'info' links to a written explanation about what the project is about. This written component is separated into three categories: challenge, solution, result. I have used these exact same keywords as Blast Radius (info, challenge, solution, result). Can this be considered copying, or are these words so commonly used that this issue can be ignored.