The difference between copying and stealing

App Cooker, a cool planning app for the iPad, includes a grid in their “planning” section.

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This grid makes me consider the nature of what I’m about to design. That fits my desire to start all projects with intelligent questions.

But ripping off Hot Apps Factory does neither of us any favors.

Copying results

Copying ideas is about wanting results: “I like how they did that. I want that grid, but change the words so it’s not a direct ripoff.” The copy mindset is a form of envy, wishing for smeone else’s results.

Stealing inspiration

Stealing ideas requires looking for why something works, or why it was necessary. “I like how that grid works. Instead of enabling people with many options, it sets limits. The grid makes people understand they can’t have it both ways. How else can I force people to make choices?”

People using the grid must make two decisions, one for each axis. Taken apart, I can represent each with its own line. Why stop there? Many decisions can be made this way.

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Rather than ripping off what I saw, stealing has given me a new tool. But stealing can be carried further.

If I grok the spirit of App Cooker’s grid — forcing decisions with limits — then I shouldn’t go crazy with this new tool. I need to be selective the choices I ask of each new project.

Going forward

There’s nothing wrong with finding inspiration from others. But copying stops short of using those ideas for self-improvement. Stealing ideas finds inspiration, runs with it, makes it one’s own to be stolen anew.