jmak:

My response to the disputed originality of the Apple/Steve design:

I have broken the unspoken rule of how to reblog on Tumblr by putting my response on top, but I believe it’s necessary for people to see this:

I have indeed been informed by others earlier last night (perhaps even earlier, but I was too overwhelmed by emails to notice) of RAID71’s work.

People have accused me of ripping off photos such as this one, which I have already seen when I did the Google search after having the idea. Whether you take my word for it or not, the visual similarities of these images are irrelevant to the design concept, in my opinion, and do not merit the comparison.

RAID71’s design, on the other hand, does indeed contain the very same idea. Although it is impossible to verify it now that all this happened, I honestly did not come across his work while searching for terms such as “Apple, Steve Jobs, logo, silhouette”. I did my best to ensure that the idea had not been done before.

It probably does not help that I have expressed uncertainties about the originality of my work, but my paranoia stemmed from the apparent simplicity of the concept. The visual connection between Steve’s profile and the logo seemed too obvious to not have been picked up on yet. Turns out, I’m right.

I will not apologize for “ripping off” Mr. Thornley’s work, because like others who have created similar pieces at around the same time (blatant copies notwithstanding), I have arrived at this design on my own.

I do, however, wish to say sorry for not dealing with this as quickly as I probably should have, but I was struggling with how to word my response properly last night.

A final clarification: I have NOT made any money from this, and have only answered people who offered to donate all their proceedings to charities with the condition of receiving a receipt or other confirmation of the donation.

I have yet to hear back from Apple and do not know how they view the issue, but for the time being, please support RAID71’s cause.

bentheillustrator:

THIS GRAPHIC IS A RIP-OFF.

This image has been all over the internet for the passed few days, however this graphic is a rip-off, it was produced earlier this year by Chris Thornley aka RAID71 for an editorial piece, you can see it featured on Creative Review here » http://www.creativereview.co.uk

Sadly Raid71 is currently going through cancer treatment himself right now.  An online store has been set-up selling his artwork and raising funds for the hospital’s cancer charity that is caring for him » http://www.raid71.bigcartel.com

I do appreciate that the designer who is getting all the attention for this image actually said that it may have been done before, and to let him know if it has (his post is below) but people have posted on his blog and he’s not referenced it.  If some of the people who have praised this image could credit the originator, RAID71, and help to promote his online print shop in aid of Royal Manchester’s cancer charity then that would be brilliant, thanks.

As he is the actual originator of this image please support Raid71’s online store » http://www.raid71.bigcartel.com

jmak:

Thanks, Steve.

Posting designs like this one makes me paranoid, because I can’t shake the feeling that it’s not original. I enjoyed the process regardless, but please let me know if somebody else beat me to the idea!

Thoughts?