I believe authenticity is a relative term and is all too often used in the place of originality. As artists and designers, we constantly strive to create work that is original. After all, if it has been created before why create it again, right?

However, Picasso once said that “Art is theft.” (Kleon, A. 2012) By this he means not the literal theft of the work of others, but that we all take ideas from others. We find what we like in the work of others and then allow that to help us make informed decisions about the work we create. This is by no means to say that we should copy the work of others. Aptly put, Lionel Trilling said: “Immature artists imitate, mature artists steal.” Not only is imitation depriving the rightful creators of praise for their work, but it stops you from learning and from making progress on your journey as a creator.

In this instance to steal is to learn. It is imperative that we read into the work of others and assess what we like, what we dislike and then move forward to make decisions about our work, as to “steal” from others. It is only once we gather a wide range of source and points of reference can we make informed decisions in our work, and I believe to learn from others and then put this into practice within our own work is what makes each of us authentic as designers.

Kleon, A. (2012) Steal Like An Artist. New York: Workman Publishing Company.

1962 September, Esquire, “The Student Prince: Or How to Seize Power Though an Undergraduate” by Robert Benton and Gloria Steinem, Quote Page 85, Esquire, Inc., Chicago, Illinois.