Let’s get real for a moment. Are you accidentally crossing lines in your design business—lines that could cost you your reputation, or worse, your livelihood? Today, I want to talk about copyright and plagiarism in the world of design. These aren’t just industry buzzwords; they’re critical issues that can impact your success and integrity.
Episode Timestamps
- 01:15 Understanding copyright vs. plagiarism
- 05:30 Real-world examples of copyright breaches
- 09:45 Timothy Corrigan and Barry Goralnick on originality in design
- 15:10 Melissa’s personal plagiarism story
- 20:20 Steps to protect your work and stay original
Copyright infringement is a legal violation, while plagiarism is an ethical breach. Both are serious, and as a designer, it’s your responsibility to understand the difference and avoid crossing those lines. Copyright and plagiarism in interior design are critical topics that every designer should grasp to protect their work and maintain professional integrity. The details are all here with real business examples and even a personal story about how my business was a target of plagiarism firsthand.
A big thank you to ADPro and their article, What Does It Mean to Plagiarize in the Design World?, which inspired today’s discussion and includes insightful quotes from top designers including Timothy Corrigan and Barry Goralnick. I highly encourage you to check it out.
Copyright vs. Plagiarism: What’s the Difference?
A Legal Breach
Copyright protects the creator of an original work, and violating it is breaking the law. For instance, if you buy a design template and share it with a colleague who didn’t pay for it, that’s copyright infringement. I get it—saving a little money might seem harmless, but think twice. The creators of those templates deserve fair compensation, and cutting corners like this only harms the industry we love.
Copyright and plagiarism in interior design often overlap, emphasizing the importance of respecting intellectual property rights. Here’s another example: Imagine attending a design educator’s session and then turning their unique content into a course of your own. That’s not just unethical; it’s a copyright violation.
And if a client implements your plans without your permission, that’s a direct breach of your intellectual property. Protect yourself by including intellectual property provisions in every client agreement and adding copyright notices to all your design documents.
Plagiarism: An Ethical Breach
Plagiarism is when someone presents someone else’s work as their own—even if the source is credited. Sharing another designer’s work on social media without full attribution? That’s plagiarism. Copying a manufacturer’s design and having it custom-made without significant changes? Also plagiarism and copyright infringement.
Even something as common as taking a client’s inspiration images and turning them into a shopping list without adding your creative touch crosses the line. As Timothy Corrigan told ADPro, “What keeps designers out of trouble is how inventively they deploy the common ingredients.” Your creativity is your superpower—use it.
The Fine Line Between Inspiration and Copying
Here’s where things can get tricky: drawing inspiration from something versus outright copying it. Inspiration means taking an idea and transforming it into something uniquely yours. Copying is a lazy shortcut that robs both you and your client of true creativity. Copyright and plagiarism in interior design come into play here, highlighting the fine line between being inspired and outright duplicating someone else’s work.
New York designer Barry Goralnick, in his interview with ADPro, shared a great example. When a client wanted her Manhattan residence to reflect London’s Eltham Palace, he delivered an “echo of Deco” without copying a single element. His approach gave her the essence she wanted while staying original. That’s how it’s done.
As a designer, your responsibility is to bring originality to every project. Yes, you can be inspired by a look or a style, but it’s your job to make it your own. It’s not okay to default to catalog replicas or mimic a branded showroom unless you’re working directly for that brand.
My Personal Experience with Plagiarism
When I launched my design practice over 30 years ago, I was one of the first designers in Atlanta to have a significant website—it even won awards. Back then, having a standout website was a game-changer, and it helped establish my business in a big way. As the digital landscape became more crowded, we kept it fresh by updating the design and content every five years. Today, I recommend updating your website every 2-3 years to stay current.
One day, as I was brainstorming ideas for my next website update, I stumbled across a Florida designer’s site. As I scrolled, I felt an odd sense of déjà vu. Then it hit me—she had copied my entire previous site, right down to every word I’d written. The only things she changed were the bio and the images. This was a blatant example of copyright and plagiarism in interior design, underscoring the importance of safeguarding your creative assets.
At the time, the internet was still a bit of a Wild West. Pursuing legal action wasn’t really an option, so I sent her an email (this was before social media and texting) and simply said, “Plagiarism is the sincerest form of flattery,” quoting Nelson DeMille. While I moved on from the experience, it remains a vivid reminder of how vital it is to protect your intellectual property.
How to Stay Original and Protect Your Work
1. Include Copyright Protections in Your Agreements
Make intellectual property provisions standard in every client contract, and add copyright notices to all plans, renderings, and elevations. Copyright and plagiarism in interior design are ongoing concerns, and these protections can help safeguard your work.
2. Give Proper Credit
If you’re inspired by someone else’s work, say so. Whether it’s on social media or in a presentation, full attribution is a must.
3. Make Every Project Original
Don’t lean on past projects or inspiration boards as a crutch. Each client deserves your best, most original work.
4. Invest in a Unique Website
Your website is a reflection of your brand. Work with a designer who can create a site that’s truly yours. (Shoutout to Fancy Girl Design Studio for doing just that!)
5. Define Your Hallmarks
What makes your work uniquely “you”? Identify those hallmarks, but make sure they don’t turn into cookie-cutter solutions. Balance your signature style with fresh creativity.
Key Takeaways
Being a designer is a privilege and an honor. It’s also a responsibility to draw upon your creativity in every project. As designers, we should strive to stand out, not fit in. As ADPro and Timothy Corrigan emphasize, it’s all about how inventively you deploy the ingredients at your disposal.
Oscar Wilde said it best: “Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery that mediocrity can pay to greatness.” Let’s aim for greatness—not mediocrity.
When you’re ready to increase your interior design practice profits, work exclusively with ideal clients, and enjoy the time and resources for your extraordinary life, explore your coaching options. We’ve got your back in the business of interior design.
