Are you sure your favorite designer isn’t just a glorified copycat? It’s easy to get swept up by sleek logos, trendy color palettes, and modern aesthetics, but many of the most famous designers rely more on imitation than true creativity. Shocking, right? We’re about to uncover a hard truth about the design world: not every celebrated hack designer deserves the praise they get. In fact, many are simply repackaging old ideas and selling them as new.

While the world of design loves to celebrate innovation, originality is often an illusion. In this article, we’ll explore why so many designers fall back on imitation, how design education plays a role in this cycle, and most importantly, how you can separate the true innovators from the hacks. It’s time to break free from the glossy surface and take a closer look at what’s really happening in the design industry.

The Design Industry’s Love Affair with Imitation

Let’s start with an uncomfortable truth: the design world has a serious case of déjà vu. From the resurgence of 90s grunge fashion to the ongoing obsession with mid-century modern furniture, designers are constantly recycling old trends and calling them new. If you’ve ever flipped through a design magazine or scrolled through Instagram and thought, “Hey, haven’t I seen this before?”—well, you probably have.

Take fashion, for example. Every few years, we see the return of retro styles, from bell-bottoms of the 70s to the high-waisted jeans of the 80s. Graphic design follows a similar pattern. Think about the minimalist design trend. For years now, it’s been the go-to aesthetic in everything from tech company logos to website design. At first glance, it seems sleek and fresh, but minimalism itself harks back to earlier movements like Bauhaus and Swiss design.

As Picasso once famously quipped, “Good artists copy, great artists steal.” This mindset has pervaded the creative world for decades. The design industry loves a good trend, and why not? Trends sell. But does riding the coattails of past movements make you a great designer? The truth is, it’s a lot easier to tweak an old idea than to create something groundbreaking. And unfortunately, many designers prefer the path of least resistance.

Why “Originality” Is Often an Illusion

If originality is what sets a great designer apart from the rest, then we’ve got a serious problem. True originality, in today’s hyper-connected world, is hard to come by. Everywhere you look, designers are borrowing from the past. Sometimes it’s subtle, like using vintage-inspired typography, and other times it’s glaringly obvious, like rehashing Art Deco motifs.

Take the digital product design space, for example. If you’ve used any website or app recently, you’ve likely encountered the grid system—a structural layout that ensures everything is clean, organized, and, frankly, kind of boring. The grid system owes its origins to the Bauhaus school of design, which revolutionized architecture and graphic design in the early 20th century. It was innovative back then. But when every tech company adopts the same grid-based interface, it starts to feel a little stale.

Don’t believe me? A recent survey found that a significant portion of designers admitted to leaning on historical styles when creating new projects. After all, the past is full of proven ideas, so why not use them? But when every designer draws from the same well of inspiration, it becomes harder and harder to find something that truly stands out.

Have you ever had that eerie feeling when something brand new feels oddly familiar? That’s because much of what we consider “new” is really just a remix of what came before. But here’s the kicker: It’s not always a bad thing. Designers are naturally influenced by the world around them, and sometimes the best ideas come from taking something old and giving it a fresh spin. The problem arises when designers stop innovating and rely too heavily on existing styles. That’s when originality becomes nothing more than an illusion.

The Role of Design Schools in Producing Hack Designers

So why do so many designers fall into this trap? The answer, in part, lies in education. Design schools, while valuable for teaching foundational skills, often play a significant role in producing what we might call “cookie-cutter designers.” These institutions churn out graduates who’ve all been taught the same principles, the same methodologies, and the same revered historical figures. When everyone’s learning from the same playbook, the output tends to look remarkably similar.

Take a look at the curriculums of major design schools like the perpetually overrated Rhode Island School of Design (RISD), Parsons School of Design, or the Royal College of Art. While these are some of the best institutions in the world, their programs often focus on the same tried-and-true techniques. You’ll hear endless discussions about Swiss typography, Bauhaus, and modernism. While these are undoubtedly essential elements of design history, overemphasis on these movements can stifle creative exploration.

Now, don’t get me wrong—having a strong foundation is important. You can’t break the rules unless you know them first. But when design education revolves too heavily around established ideas, it can discourage students from thinking outside the box. They’re taught to revere the past, rather than challenge it.

Here’s a fun thought: Think about the design professor who’s obsessed with Swiss typography. We all know one. Every project gets filtered through the lens of perfect kerning and clean lines, with little room for deviation. While this can result in technically sound work, it also produces designers who play it safe, opting for precision over creativity.

How Trends Get Hijacked by Hack Designers

Another key issue in the design world is the hijacking of trends. Trends, by their nature, are meant to be fleeting. They capture the spirit of a moment in time, and then they’re gone. However, some designers see trends not as a passing phase, but as an easy way to achieve success. The result? Trend-followers who latch onto popular ideas and milk them for all they’re worth, long past their expiration date.

One prime example is the flat design trend that took the UX/UI world by storm in the early 2010s. Characterized by simple shapes, bright colors, and minimal textures, flat design was a refreshing change from the overly complex, skeuomorphic designs that preceded it. It was new. It was exciting. And then, seemingly overnight, it was everywhere. Flat design became the industry standard, with everyone from tech startups to corporate giants jumping on the bandwagon.

Here’s the problem: When every designer adopts the same trend, it stops being innovative and becomes the norm. The originality that made flat design appealing in the first place was quickly lost as it became yet another template to follow. Designers who were once setting trends suddenly found themselves stuck in a cycle of imitation, producing work that looked like everything else on the market.

We’ve all been there: you’re browsing the web, and every site looks the same. Flat design pastel buttons, minimalistic icons, and an ocean of white space. At some point, you have to ask yourself: Where did all the originality go?

How to Spot a “Hack” Designer

Now that we’ve established that many of today’s designers are simply riding the coattails of past trends, how can you spot a hack? Luckily, there are some telltale signs that can help you distinguish between someone who’s genuinely pushing the boundaries of creativity and someone who’s just playing it safe.

Here are a few red flags to watch out for:

• Over-reliance on popular design software presets: If a designer’s portfolio looks like it was built entirely out of Adobe Illustrator templates, that’s a bad sign.
• Lack of clear creative vision across different projects: Does all their work look suspiciously similar, even when working with different clients or mediums? That could mean they’re stuck in a creative rut.
• Consistent mimicry of established design styles: Some designers specialize in replicating specific aesthetics—think of all the “vintage-inspired” branding out there. If their work is consistently derivative, it might be time to question their originality.
• Limited range in their portfolio: Are they only comfortable working within one genre, be it minimalism, retro, or flat design? A true innovator will show versatility and a willingness to take risks.

And here’s a humorous tip: If their portfolio looks like it belongs on a Pinterest board with a million “saves,” you might be looking at a designer who’s more interested in fitting in than standing out.

True Innovators in the Design World (And Why They’re Different)

Thankfully, not every designer is stuck in the cycle of imitation. There are still those who dare to push boundaries, challenge conventions, and bring something new to the table. These are the true innovators, the ones who stand out in a sea of sameness.

One such designer is Stefan Sagmeister, who is known for his unconventional approach to both graphic design and typography. Sagmeister’s work doesn’t just look different—it feels different. His pieces often challenge the viewer to rethink the relationship between form and function. Whether he’s creating a typographic sculpture out of jelly or designing posters that physically change over time, Sagmeister’s work is always about more than just aesthetics.

Another standout innovator is Paula Scher, a pioneer in the world of typography and identity design. Scher’s work for clients like The Public Theater and Citibank is a testament to her ability to fuse bold, conceptual ideas with practical, real-world applications. She’s not afraid to break the rules, and her designs consistently challenge the status quo.

These designers aren’t afraid to take risks, and that’s what sets them apart. While others may be content to follow trends, true innovators are always looking for new ways to express their ideas. They experiment, they fail, and they keep pushing forward. And in doing so, they help redefine what design can be.

What You Can Do to Encourage Creative Design

Feeling a little disillusioned? Don’t worry—there are plenty of ways to inject more creativity into your own design work. Whether you’re a seasoned designer or just starting out, the key is to break away from the herd and take risks.

Here are some tips to help you foster creativity:

• Step away from the internet: It’s tempting to browse Pinterest or Instagram for inspiration, but that can also cloud your creative process. Start with a blank slate and sketch your ideas first, before looking at what’s already out there.
• Embrace failure: Not every design is going to be a masterpiece, and that’s okay! Failure is part of the creative process, and sometimes the best ideas come from the least expected places.
• Experiment with different mediums: If you’re stuck in a design rut, try working with a different medium. If you’re used to digital design, why not try your hand at painting or sculpture? Working in a different medium can open up new avenues of creativity.
• Don’t be afraid to take risks: At the end of the day, originality comes from taking risks. Don’t be afraid to challenge conventions, question trends, and create something that might make people uncomfortable. That’s where true innovation lies.

And so…

The design world is full of talented individuals, but not all of them deserve the label of “creative genius.” Many rely on recycled ideas, and while that can be effective, it’s not truly innovative. By learning to spot the difference between a hack designer and a true creative, we can better appreciate the work that pushes boundaries and changes the way we see the world.

As Paul Rand once said, “Don’t try to be original. Just try to be good.” The irony? Being good might just be the most original thing you can do.

Key Takeaways

1. Many designers rely on recycled trends, making true originality a rare commodity.
2. Design schools often emphasize traditional methodologies, which can limit creativity.
3. Trend-following has led to a glut of unoriginal designs in the market.
4. True innovators take risks and challenge the norms of the design world.
5. Encouraging creative design involves stepping away from trends and embracing failure.

FAQs

1. Why do so many designers copy trends?
   Trends often sell better and are safer from a business standpoint, so hack designers tend to follow them.
2. How can I spot a hack designer?
   Look for repetitive styles, over-reliance on templates, and a lack of original vision in their portfolio.
3. Are design schools to blame for unoriginality?
   Partially. While foundational learning is crucial, design schools sometimes focus too much on established methods rather than fostering experimentation.
4. Who are some truly innovative designers today?
   Stefan Sagmeister and Paula Scher are two examples of designers pushing the boundaries of creative thought.
5. How can I be more creative as a designer?
   Step outside your comfort zone by experimenting with different mediums, sketching first, and allowing yourself to fail.