Creativity?
Where does creativity begin? How much input is needed before an item is "yours"? Do people care if a design was not actually made by the designer?
All these questions have been flowing around in my head today.
I have unpacked -- and blogged in many instances -- a lot of clothes lately that were obviously made from the same template. It took me awhile for this to sink in, but eventually I saw the pattern. I asked my blogger sisters and I was assured that "yes, you can buy anything on Xstreet". Yes, it is legal and psd (Photoshop active files ) are sold just like sculpty files these days.
Who knew? Not I.
So now I am at a crossroads of sorts. Do I keep featuring designs that are built on the work of some ghost designer? Someone who has made a template, sold it as full perms and let the masses go forth and create on their work?
Honestly? I'm having a bit of a problem with that. I know this is a gray area, and that there will be many opinions -- both pro and con -- for using templates to create "new" designs. It's legal, and most likely accepted, but is it a good thing?
I think about the designers who were here at the beginning -- or at least long before I arrived. , Chip Midnight, Torrid Midnight, Fallingwater Cellardoor -- I'm sure the list is a long one. I am guessing they worked from scratch, finding their own way, pushing the boundaries, turning pixels into wearables. There is something that bothers me deep inside about slapping a texture in a layer of a template and calling it a new design.
Now, I know that isn't always the case. Oftentimes there are rips and logos, wrinkles and patches added, but sometimes it is simply pasting in a texture into layer number 7. Where does creativity begin? Is simply pasting in a pattern enough to call a design original?
I don't have an answer, but I am thinking that I won't be featuring any obvious template work on my blog in the future. It is a personal decision. And if that means I will have less to blog? Well that's my choice too I guess.
I can understand the reason people use templates. Ease for one. Speed. But what happened to making items for the world that we envisioned? What happened to the simple joy of creativity? Most likely it has been replace with pragmatism. And that, I also understand. People need to pay the rent. Sales are slow. If it comes down to staying using templates or closing -- I'll vote for staying.
But still there is a shadow looming over the practice. Would downsizing accomplish the same thing? Could designers give up there sims, half sims, quarter sims and go back to their roots? In doing that would they discover the joy they had in the beginning when they were creating simply for beauty and for themselves?
I don't know the answers, but I wonder.
All these questions have been flowing around in my head today.
I have unpacked -- and blogged in many instances -- a lot of clothes lately that were obviously made from the same template. It took me awhile for this to sink in, but eventually I saw the pattern. I asked my blogger sisters and I was assured that "yes, you can buy anything on Xstreet". Yes, it is legal and psd (Photoshop active files ) are sold just like sculpty files these days.
Who knew? Not I.
So now I am at a crossroads of sorts. Do I keep featuring designs that are built on the work of some ghost designer? Someone who has made a template, sold it as full perms and let the masses go forth and create on their work?
Honestly? I'm having a bit of a problem with that. I know this is a gray area, and that there will be many opinions -- both pro and con -- for using templates to create "new" designs. It's legal, and most likely accepted, but is it a good thing?
I think about the designers who were here at the beginning -- or at least long before I arrived. , Chip Midnight, Torrid Midnight, Fallingwater Cellardoor -- I'm sure the list is a long one. I am guessing they worked from scratch, finding their own way, pushing the boundaries, turning pixels into wearables. There is something that bothers me deep inside about slapping a texture in a layer of a template and calling it a new design.
Now, I know that isn't always the case. Oftentimes there are rips and logos, wrinkles and patches added, but sometimes it is simply pasting in a texture into layer number 7. Where does creativity begin? Is simply pasting in a pattern enough to call a design original?
I don't have an answer, but I am thinking that I won't be featuring any obvious template work on my blog in the future. It is a personal decision. And if that means I will have less to blog? Well that's my choice too I guess.
I can understand the reason people use templates. Ease for one. Speed. But what happened to making items for the world that we envisioned? What happened to the simple joy of creativity? Most likely it has been replace with pragmatism. And that, I also understand. People need to pay the rent. Sales are slow. If it comes down to staying using templates or closing -- I'll vote for staying.
But still there is a shadow looming over the practice. Would downsizing accomplish the same thing? Could designers give up there sims, half sims, quarter sims and go back to their roots? In doing that would they discover the joy they had in the beginning when they were creating simply for beauty and for themselves?
I don't know the answers, but I wonder.
Comments
http://www.plurk.com/p/20fv7y
Pretty interesting discussion. I agree with everything you wrote ;)
*kuddos*
Personally i have always made my own masks and templates for textured clothing which is why the early ones were so bad lol. But for me it was part of the learning process and i get more satisfaction from clothes made with my own masks. It is frustrating - because for me, at least,it often takes me longer to get the mask right than the fabric.
This frustrates me, both as a creator who makes my stuff from scratch and as a buyer who sees these items contantly. Seeing well known prominant bloggers blog those who use these bases time and time again and marveling at their 'work' makes me shake my head.
I am pleased you have decided to take a stance against blogging these types of items, there is so much creativity out there that should be seen but is missed
That said I thought bloggers went out and acquired what they wanted to review. Perhaps some bloggers need to stop accepting submissions for review and this problem will fade away. Anyone can get a free blog and ask to be on the feeds and announce their own stuff. Would save blogger reviewers a lot of effort if they just reviewed what they actually want to review. Might even keep it fun like it is supposed to be instead of blogging having had to become the primary marketing channel since SL lacks any effective means of marketing in world.
Giving everyone these clothing templates is like handing out paint-by-number kits.
The artistry that so many designers exhibit in SL is amazing. I love seeing the talent they pour into their clothing.
I may not see a wrinkle the way you do, and you may not see a highlight the way I do. I would rather someones personal style than a mass produced item.