ok so this past week I've been pretty bummed out, after constantly getting called upon for ripping people off. I don't know if I have said or done anything to piss any people off, and if I did I am sorry about it. With the designs in question I want everyone to know that I didn't go into the creation of the design with the intention to rip people off. I don't think I have ripped anyone off. With the kool-aid design, I was working on it and i thought it would be a clever twist on the original kool-aid design. I even showed Kyle the design while I was working on it, he told me it looked like his and i agreed with him but i thought i was doing something different with the design. He even stated that he would of liked to buy the design for EZ if he hadn't done that shirt for NFG. With the dinosaur design, i was flipping through my calvin and hobbes books because i loved the way bill watterson drew his dinosaurs and referenced a dino from that book, and then people said it looked like deals. It did look like his but I didn't think it looked exactly like his, but I talked with him about it and in respect for him i took the design down and changed it to what i thought was getting away from his design, but i guess that wasn't good enough. And now with the Tiger design people think i ripped laurie off? Munster came to me asking for a teal tiger, so I flipped through my animal reference books and drew a blue tiger. I talked with Laurie and she didn't feel like I was ripping her off (because I wasn't) the way I see it, the kool-aid thing has been done a million times in the same manner and i thought I was doing something different. With the tigers, there are a million tigers out there...and as Laurie said "a tiger is a tiger". I can understand the dinosaur one though, which is why i tried my best to change the design and still keep the feel of what i was trying to accomplish. i'm sure there are more things I need to address about this, but to the emptees communitiy I'm sorry if I have pissed anyone off. I have not tried to rip anyone off at all. 2008-10-01T14:22:12-04:00 47 2008-09-29T17:17:48-04:00 8171 false false 3518 6102 1 2009-11-08T09:22:09-05:00 1418 Keep doing your thing dude, your good at what you do. Don't let some shit like this stop you from producing killer work. 8171 Post 2008-09-29T17:20:15-04:00 212790 4557 2008-09-29T17:20:15-04:00 you never accepted/denied my marriage proposal 8171 Post 2008-09-29T17:21:09-04:00 212793 1404 2008-09-29T17:21:09-04:00 yeah dude i love all your stuff and its made me alot of money so keep it up 8171 Post 2008-09-29T17:23:00-04:00 212795 5678 2008-09-29T17:23:00-04:00 Ignore the lame people. Keep up the killer work. You are better than people like that. 8171 Post 2008-09-29T17:24:24-04:00 212799 5804 2008-09-29T17:24:24-04:00 Don't worry about it. 8171 Post 2008-09-29T17:25:20-04:00 212802 1219 2008-09-29T17:25:20-04:00 I spoke to Matt and he´s genuinly confused. I´m sitting on the fence. I agree with both camps. Unfortunatley when you do something that has been done a million times like skulls koolaid tigers(basically whats the trend at the time) whoever did the first one will be pissed. I can see where everyone is coming from. I think more originality in your ideas Matt will ster you away from any accusations as you style is definitley unique and very clean. 8171 Post 2008-09-29T17:25:49-04:00 212803 2879 2008-09-29T17:25:49-04:00 <blockquote><cite>Backfire said:</cite> Ignore the lame people. Keep up the killer work. You are better than people like that.</blockquote> If you honestly don't feel as if you are biting anyones style then I wouldn't worry about it. You only have to be happy with yourself at the end of the day. Do what you do the best you. I'm selling self help books if anyone wants one.. 8171 Post 2008-09-29T17:26:31-04:00 212805 2050 2008-09-29T17:26:31-04:00 Here is the problem as I see it through the eyes of a wierdo/teenoob. Emptees spread from a close knit group of designers to a huge amount of designers, sellers,buyers, and tee enthusiasts. because there are now a lot of people on here who really don't know jack shit and are pretty frackin stupid or pretentious people like you get called out on stuff that really shouldn't be called out at all because there isn't anything wrong. 8171 Post 2008-09-29T17:26:39-04:00 212806 7210 2008-09-29T17:26:39-04:00 you havent pissed me off in the slightest ( as if it matters lol ) I love you work and enjoy it to the fullest 8171 Post 2008-09-29T17:27:29-04:00 212807 1498 2008-09-29T17:27:39-04:00 <blockquote><cite>skullface said:</cite> you never accepted/denied my marriage proposal</blockquote> commitment scares me :P <blockquote><cite>gaunty said:</cite> I think more originality in your ideas Matt will ster you away from any accusations as you style is definitley unique and very clean.</blockquote> this makes a lot of sense 8171 Post 2008-09-29T17:28:09-04:00 212810 6102 2008-09-29T17:28:09-04:00 <blockquote><cite>bandwagonmerch said:</cite> <blockquote><cite>Backfire said:</cite> Ignore the lame people. Keep up the killer work. You are better than people like that.</blockquote> If you honestly don't feel as if you are biting anyones style then I wouldn't worry about it. You only have to be happy with yourself at the end of the day. Do what you do the best you. I'm selling self help books if anyone wants one..</blockquote> i agree with this man, although it is hard to have that mindset when it seems that people are nagging you left and right. overall, petty things like this only make you a stronger and better designer. regardless of it being a rip or not, these situations are very humbling and usually spark better things in the near future. im sure this has opened your mind to things to avoid and steer clear from which never hurts and only keeps you safer in the design world. no worries, just keep moving on. your work is awesome dood. 8171 Post 2008-09-29T17:37:05-04:00 212827 598 2008-09-29T17:37:50-04:00 I think your stuff is great but it is so hard to be original in your designs. I sometimes start a piece and halfway through leave it cause I've seen something similar whilst doing it. I think maybe some of the ideas have been done because you are inspired by similar things as other artists who also grew up in the same period? 8171 Post 2008-09-29T17:37:17-04:00 212830 7372 2008-09-29T17:37:17-04:00 Keep making awesome designs man, youve become one of my favprite designers recently. 8171 Post 2008-09-29T17:49:28-04:00 212842 4851 2008-09-29T17:49:28-04:00 <blockquote><cite>JoshInvincible said:</cite> Keep doing your thing dude, your good at what you do. Don't let some shit like this stop you from producing killer work.</blockquote> exactly. your work is beyond amazing dude. and it's hard to not create something that is similar to some design out there. and i find that we as designers all think somewhat alike about designs. so that makes it even harder to have a lot of originality. but dude, whether people think you're original or not i definitely say that you have a very unique style. it's definitely one of the most identifiable ones that i've seen. you do great work, so dont let people change your style or ruin what you're doing. 8171 Post 2008-09-29T17:55:27-04:00 212848 7055 2008-09-29T17:55:27-04:00 I've learned it doesn't even matter if you were the one to come up with the original idea. Whoever is more well known will always be credited with coming up with the idea. It sucks. I've gotten tons of comments about how my complimentary colors design ripped off Threadless even though it is the other way around. Also everyone wants to draw similarities with what they've seen before, it's just how the brain works. 8171 Post 2008-09-29T17:56:57-04:00 212850 1219 2008-09-29T17:57:58-04:00 Don't worry about it....keep up the good work. If someone had the time...they could very likely find enough suspect evidence and cause to call any piece a rip. 8171 Post 2008-09-29T17:58:34-04:00 212853 4344 2008-09-29T17:58:34-04:00 dude your style is amazing dont worry man. ignor it! :) just keep it up! 8171 Post 2008-09-29T18:06:27-04:00 212866 6917 2008-09-29T18:06:27-04:00 I have to say, I'm kind of on the fence about the whole thing. you seem really sincere in this, but it's happened so many times that it's almost hard NOT to believe that you're 'borrowing' people's color schemes/ideas. I'm not saying that you're doing it intentionally, but you might try to avoid it.. pay attention to what other people are doing, and fuckin' innovate! 8171 Post 2008-09-29T18:07:47-04:00 212867 7069 2008-09-29T18:07:47-04:00 I'm wondering how much your color choices effected the opinions for some of these designs in question... I don't think anyone would have said anything on the tiger had it been any other color.. who knows. Anyway, like the others suggest, don't worry about it and keep creating dude. 8171 Post 2008-09-29T18:08:56-04:00 212869 1025 2008-09-29T18:08:56-04:00 <blockquote><cite>ithew said:</cite> <blockquote><cite>skullface said:</cite> you never accepted/denied my marriage proposal</blockquote> commitment scares me :P</blockquote> fair enough 8171 Post 2008-09-29T18:12:18-04:00 212872 1404 2008-09-29T18:12:18-04:00 <blockquote><cite>skullface said:</cite> <blockquote><cite>ithew said:</cite> <blockquote><cite>skullface said:</cite> you never accepted/denied my marriage proposal</blockquote> commitment scares me :P</blockquote> fair enough</blockquote> It doesn't scare me ;) 8171 Post 2008-09-29T18:14:47-04:00 212876 2329 2008-09-29T18:14:47-04:00 <blockquote><cite>RustyEight said:</cite> <blockquote><cite>skullface said:</cite> <blockquote><cite>ithew said:</cite> <blockquote><cite>skullface said:</cite> you never accepted/denied my marriage proposal</blockquote> commitment scares me :P</blockquote> fair enough</blockquote> It doesn't scare me ;)</blockquote> HAHA get in rusty =P 8171 Post 2008-09-29T18:21:22-04:00 212887 5804 2008-09-29T18:21:22-04:00 I have been coming to this site for a while. I've thought about joining, but only after I spent some serious time honing my design skills. But after reading this Matt, I had to sign up. You are one of my FAVORITE artists on here. I love your work. Don't let this crap get you down. The NFG Kool-Aid design is a great parody (some might say rip-off, hah) of the Kool-Aid Man. But your's went in a completely new and original direction. I haven't seen the other people's Tiger and Dino designs, but like you said, that stuff has been done a million times. Hell, I've made a shirt design with a T-Rex on it and I'm a total design noob. When you get a large group of artists together that are into the same type of stuff, or have similar styles, there's going to be similar designs. <blockquote><cite>Eternyl said:</cite> If someone had the time...they could very likely find enough suspect evidence and cause to call any piece a rip.</blockquote> Your art is AMAZING Matt. Keep it up. 8171 Post 2008-09-29T18:29:44-04:00 212892 8948 2008-09-29T18:29:44-04:00 in the field of designing youre working with clients who more than half the time want the same idea thats already been done. everything has been done its just the way you take it. your work to me at least has always stood as its own so just keep killing it how you do duder. 8171 Post 2008-09-29T18:30:31-04:00 212893 5462 2008-09-29T18:30:31-04:00 dude dont even worry about it, ive gone through all the same shit you've been through, i know its lame, theres a lot of pricks here on emptees, but just keep doing what your doing. 8171 Post 2008-09-29T18:34:29-04:00 212897 890 2008-09-29T18:34:29-04:00 <blockquote><cite>JBennettDesigns said:</cite> in the field of designing youre working with clients who more than half the time want the same idea thats already been done. everything has been done its just the way you take it. your work to me at least has always stood as its own so just keep killing it how you do duder.</blockquote> Good point, just like jimiyo´s post today. Some of the blame lies on the clients wanting the same old stuff again and again. 8171 Post 2008-09-29T18:35:20-04:00 212899 2879 2008-09-29T18:35:20-04:00 <blockquote><cite>DrewGliever said:</cite> I have to say, I'm kind of on the fence about the whole thing. you seem really sincere in this, but it's happened so many times that it's almost hard NOT to believe that you're 'borrowing' people's color schemes/ideas. I'm not saying that you're doing it intentionally, but you might try to avoid it.. pay attention to what other people are doing, and fuckin' innovate!</blockquote> Stop being such a negative nancy. Work on your own shit and stop bringing others down to your pity party. 8171 Post 2008-09-29T18:35:47-04:00 212900 1219 2008-09-29T18:35:47-04:00 <blockquote><cite>benwatson said:</cite> <blockquote><cite>Jon Kruse said:</cite> <blockquote><cite>DrewGliever said:</cite> I have to say, I'm kind of on the fence about the whole thing. you seem really sincere in this, but it's happened so many times that it's almost hard NOT to believe that you're 'borrowing' people's color schemes/ideas. I'm not saying that you're doing it intentionally, but you might try to avoid it.. pay attention to what other people are doing, and fuckin' innovate!</blockquote> Stop being such a negative nancy. Work on your own shit and stop bringing others down to your pity party.</blockquote> Indeed</blockquote> for real dude. 8171 Post 2008-09-29T18:40:39-04:00 212907 890 2008-09-29T18:40:39-04:00 <blockquote><cite>LitoQ said:</cite> you havent pissed me off in the slightest ( as if it matters lol ) I love you work and enjoy it to the fullest</blockquote> 8171 Post 2008-09-29T18:49:06-04:00 212917 6884 2008-09-29T18:49:06-04:00 Like Biggie once said "mo money mo problems". I think the more "fame" you get and noteriety from your designs, the more people will come out the woodwork. I believe you have a very recognizable style, and its easy for people to say "Hey thats Ithew/skiff/thew, he stole my idea, I did it first!" I am sure people see your designs, and know its gonna blow up and kill their mediocore sales, so I am sure thats when the hating(bad word choice) begins. Those will be the same people who will comission you for work in a couple mos waiting to have some Skiff influence on their tee(sounds like a porno!) If anything your an INSPIRATION, your clean line work, amazing color palettes and wacky brain is some of us might dream to have someday, so as another famous man once said: "If you feeling like a pimp SKIFF, go and brush your shoulders off" Shake em off man, I am sure you more people supporting you then you have nay-sayers, rely on those supporting factors during these times.. Good luck as always man 8171 Post 2008-09-29T20:16:17-04:00 212984 5341 2008-09-29T20:28:46-04:00 That's the problem. Artists get all "high and mighty" and all of a sudden they think they own concepts or ideas. What they don't realize is is that someone probably thought of the same crap they did. Moral: Just keep doing whatever you want and as long as you are thats all that matters. 8171 Post 2008-09-29T20:21:58-04:00 212988 8881 2008-09-29T20:21:58-04:00 dont let people say your ripping your an amazing artist. Just ignore them theres always going to be negative nancys hahah 8171 Post 2008-09-29T21:36:08-04:00 213066 6162 2008-09-29T21:36:08-04:00 ha, people seem to forget that you have PLENTY of original ideas too! I mean, 3 out of what... 30 designs subbed here? And lord knows how many more you've not put up yet. There's ALWAYS going to be similar looking designs, not only in this field but in every other aspect of design, man. Anyways, love your work, dude. :) 8171 Post 2008-09-29T21:42:54-04:00 213070 303 2008-09-29T21:42:54-04:00 your shits bangin man peeps just sippin on some hatorade 8171 Post 2008-09-29T21:48:13-04:00 213074 7357 2008-09-29T21:48:13-04:00 Does the word inspiration even exist these days ... I guess not. 8171 Post 2008-09-29T21:51:08-04:00 213077 1219 2008-09-29T21:51:08-04:00 don't worry Matt, next week I will steal of your designs then I will be the on the hot seat...keep up the good work...thata all I got to say 8171 Post 2008-09-29T22:01:45-04:00 213089 3021 2008-09-29T22:01:45-04:00 If you're stealing ideas, concepts or "color schemes" (I put that in quotations because that's the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard).. then -<b><i><u>everyone</i></u></b>- at Emptees is fucked and should consider taking their career in another direction. 8171 Post 2008-09-29T22:14:05-04:00 213117 3352 2008-09-29T22:14:05-04:00 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eni0LHAS464 may cheer you up... i dunno 8171 Post 2008-09-29T23:35:45-04:00 213190 2870 2008-09-29T23:35:45-04:00 dude you are awesome at what you do, I haven't seen any of the supposed rip comparisons but I think if anyone is as talented as you they really don't need to steal other people's ideas. "Life's a garden, dig it" 8171 Post 2008-09-29T23:44:00-04:00 213198 6600 2008-09-29T23:44:00-04:00 well thanks for all the comments and input everyone and I will take everything said in here to heart... i've learned a lot over this experience, that's for sure Killer Napkins: are you a mind reader? I just dug through my dvd's and watched the whole first disk of The Gummie Bears this weekend 8171 Post 2008-09-30T00:17:36-04:00 213244 6102 2008-09-30T00:17:36-04:00 <blockquote><cite>ithew said:</cite> well thanks for all the comments and input everyone and I will take everything said in here to heart... i've learned a lot over this experience, that's for sure Killer Napkins: are you a mind reader? I just dug through my dvd's and watched the whole first disk of The Gummie Bears this weekend</blockquote> Please make a Gummi Bears shirt. You and Killer Napkins..collab. Now. Thank you. 8171 Post 2008-09-30T00:44:47-04:00 213266 1613 2008-09-30T00:44:47-04:00 I wouldent worry , you have your own style going. Keep it up dude, your work gets better and better. 8171 Post 2008-09-30T01:11:19-04:00 213291 4032 2008-09-30T01:11:19-04:00 The more success to have in this world the more people want to pull you down and hate you! If you didn't have a name in the design world where people are seeing and loving your work this would not be an issue. None of us are making millions on this designs! Tell a few people th go Fuck themselves you have not violated any copyrights or trademarks the works are originally created (drawn) by you it is not their work photoshop or digitally manipulated. Keep up the good work hope you continue to wow us with your work! 1 8171 Post 2008-09-30T01:13:27-04:00 213292 8433 2008-09-30T01:13:27-04:00 wait first make sure your not biting anyone, then callabo! :) 8171 Post 2008-09-30T01:14:03-04:00 213293 5341 2008-09-30T01:14:03-04:00 To be honest I have seen you rip some stuff..........my heart. *Tear* 8171 Post 2008-09-30T01:31:34-04:00 213300 7321 2008-09-30T01:31:34-04:00 <blockquote><cite>Ouchless said:</cite> Please make a Gummi Bears shirt. You and Killer Napkins..collab. Now. Thank you.</blockquote> 8171 Post 2008-10-01T13:39:43-04:00 215014 6884 2008-10-01T13:40:51-04:00 gummie bears!! 8171 Post 2008-10-01T14:22:12-04:00 215098 3518 2008-10-01T14:22:12-04:00