Morale Issue

Ok i first got interested in web design by looking at other peoples sites and thinking "whoa how did they do that?" so i started trying to do it. But all my concepts ideas and creations seems to come from others peoples concepts ideas and creations i basically just compile them. do you guys think thats ok or do i need to force myself to come up with something original?

a little from both. use others' sites as a guide on what looks good and then from that, try and come up with your own stuff. that's what i try to do.

I see nothing wrong with it, you have to have some sort of model to work with before you can start building your own style onto it. Looking at people's work and trying to see if you can come up with a way to devise a technique that can open up many other possibilities in the area of graphic design is probably how I did it, just that I don't remember 'cuz I'm pretty much an idiot :p. Just don't do it to an extent that it looks like a rip tho, 'cuz then people will start beef with you and sh-t like that.

These days, it is quite hard/impossible to be truly unique in any field of art. Everything has been done, so just continue to increase your skill until you get to a point that maybe something truly original could be produced from you.

That all depends... If you're trying to follow the trend of web design then, monkey see monkey do, take that as you will. But if you're admiration is about expressing yourself in a way, how you see you; then do what makes you feel good. Visit sites, find the ones that interest you the most and develop your skills based off what you see. If you see something that's totally you then use it but make it your own, change things up a bit.

Word of caution... If you're developing a site for personal use then do what you want. But be aware, outside the design community, anything out of the ordinary is like a shock to the system, artists embrace this, others do not.

At any rate, look, see, feel and you will find your own way. Good luck.

try sketching out ideas for a week or two, then combine the parts you like the best.

sorry, but the whole web design universe is sooooo repetative. (bores the hell out of me, might be why my site sucks, too :D...) I don't know why it's repetative, it just is. I think it has something to do with the limitations of bandwidth and platform/browser accessibility... I think the best sites are quick, easy, and informative - nice color usage, etc. . i.e. not many bells & whistles just for the sake of using the newest trick on the net that week...

riveroaks, you're not alone. see the rippers section if you want to see what NOT to do.

Ya, just because you can dosen't mean you should.

alright thnx for your input guys i think ill continue the way i am then because it sounds to me like thats the way some of you got to where you are so we will see where i am in six months or a year

river.... when i get in a rut like that... i make a couple plain shapes in photoshop and just apply filters and blend them until and idea sparks or i need a cigerette