Nonsensor.

Comments

1. Michael Pollock says:
Hello Mike:

It's true I used the Engadget site as partial inspiration for the design of the Boy Genius site; as the client specifically requested. However, it's hardly fair to say I "ripped your layout." I certainly didn't steal any of your graphics or any of your code.

There are plenty of 3-column, elastic-width layouts out there along the lines of the Engadget site (it's a pretty standard layout in the blog world).

Although, I have to admit, your implementation of the elastic width layout is fairly unique. Perhaps we should dub it the "Propst Layout," and pass it around the web design world like we do the Owen Hack or the Tantek Box Model Hack.

Michael Pollock
www.solostream.com #
2. Mike says:
Michael:thanks large for the response, I much prefer having conversations than just sitting in my blog whining about design. However, comments closed up on your post. To address a few points of yours: yes, I realize you didn't steal the code outright, but I think you know there's more to it than that: as a designer, I'd be surprised if you didn't find it a tiny bit insulting when people try to reduce what you do to CSS code and png files. That's dev, I'm talking about design. If it was a matter of the simple things you mention, I wouldn't be bothered. But it doesn't take a second look to see that there are more similarities than that. Yes, there are plenty of sites out there with three columns — can't find a lot that are elastic but I'm sure there out there — and I'm not claiming a patent on that. Nor do I require credit for my bizarre and cumbersome scaling methods. Those started with a script I didn't even write (the fantastic minmax.js) . Hell, I don't even think I'm a great designer. I'm saying there is a site out there that looks a lot like another site in the same space, not just because of its columns. What I do want is to think that other designers are putting the same thought, sweat, and knowledge into their work as I do. It seems like you have a good eye, so I don't understand why you wouldn't, but no matter how many places I say "well, that's different, and that's different..." it's still really similar.

Maybe the idea is to cash-in on the Engadget assocation, who knows. I'm not going to speculate because I'd prefer to continue leaving BGR out of it. It's not really about them. Especially after coming across this Wordpress template (http://tinyurl.com/yp8fxp) on your site, which made me think that I (along with people who sent me the links) wasn't just making this up for my own sake. The look of that template is blatant to me (and, I noticed, one of your readers before you closed up comments).

Maybe "rip" is a strong word — would you prefer "unoriginal" or "derivative" instead? I don't think any designer really wants to hear that, and I really hate to feel unkind (especially since I was only angry for a brief period of time), but those are the best I have for this layout. #
3. Gavin says:
Christ he even took your same first name! ;)

Glad you spoke up Mike...someone had to say something #
4. Michael Pollock says:
Mike:

I understand your anger and/or irritation. And although you'd rather leave BGR out of the discussion, please believe me when I say that the site would certainly not look so similar to Engadget if BGR did not specifically ask me to make it so.

As for the other template you referenced, yes, it was inspired by Jason's site. I did as much as I could to make the design something I could call my own, and ultimately, I don't believe - as you imply - that it's a "rip-off" of Jason's work. I can agree, however, that my originality and design skills are limited. But I'm trying, and that's the best I can offer.

I certainly don't believe it's okay to steal another designer's work. Still, as a relatively new designer, I try to follow the advice other designers I respect; such as Cameron Moll, who wrote this article awhile back: http://www.sitepoint.com/article/copy-great-designers-steal

Thanks for the discussion. And you can tell Gavin I'll be changing my name next week.

Best - Michael #