Being Authentic

If you've ever worked with me on a project, or even brainstormed with me, you'll learn that for as bright and original as people THINK I am, a lot of what I do is apply something that's already been done to a current need. It's a simple matter of expedience for me; a lot of truly brilliant, original people have already created some amazing things, so why not stand on their shoulders instead of starting from the ground up?

A former coworker laughed when I was training her on how to take over some of my projects. One of the network folders I pointed out was labeled "Pirated Stuff." I told her that I kept running files of things that I had come across that I thought would be useful later, and so I had assorted things saved there just in case there was ever a need for them. One example was a list of holiday greetings that would be appropriate coming from a non-religious corporation, culled from cards we'd received from vendors and things I came across on the internet. And every year, I'd pull that up and use different messages in our company newsletter, in e-mails, and on the cards we designed to send out to the agents who sold our products.

I've often told people, "I'm not that creative; I just know how to find good stuff to steal!"

Of course, it's not exactly that simple. I don't just pass off someone else's work as my own - I tweak wording, formatting, refine and customize, etc., so that whatever I am using truly suits its purpose. And I'm never afraid to cite my original sources or explain what I've added or taken away from it to make it better meet my needs.

Recently, I came across a quote that sums up the way I work, and I wanted to share it (and possibly save it for later use!):

"Nothing is original. Steal from anywhere that resonates with inspiration or fuels your imagination. Devour old films, new films, music, books, paintings, photographs, poems, dreams, random conversations, architecture, bridges, street signs, trees, clouds, bodies of water, light and shadows. Select only things to steal from that speak directly to your soul. If you do this, your work (and theft) will be authentic.

"Authenticity is invaluable, originality is non-existent. And don't bother concealing your thievery - celebrate it if you feel like it. In any case, always remember what Jean-Luc Godard said: 'It's not where you take things from - it's where you take them to.'"

~ Jim Jarmusch

I like it.