2A. AIGA’s Business Ethics in Design is a helpful resource for designers in various fields. It has taught me important things to think about when working on projects, making me more aware and knowledgeable. This resource has given me the tools to handle ethical challenges and make intelligent choices during the design process. At the start of my career as a designer, in the first few classes, I quickly learned what not to do when using photos. I would randomly pick images from Google for my classwork.
I wasn’t aware of any resources or public domain platforms such as Freepik, Unsplash, Pixabay, or Pexels. However, the school provides an excellent opportunity to make these mistakes and learn extensively about copyright usage. It’s a valuable learning experience to understand how to utilize resources and respect copyright laws properly.
Copyright protects original creative works in communication design, including logos, illustrations, photographs, graphics, and written content. It grants designers exclusive rights over their creations, preventing others from using, copying, or reproducing their work without permission.
According to AIGA Business Ethics Guide to Copyright, When you purchase artwork, you typically acquire the physical piece itself but not necessarily the copyright to reproduce or distribute it. The artist may grant you certain usage rights along with the purchase, such as the right to display the artwork in your home or personal space. However, it is essential to clarify the scope of these rights, as they may not include commercial usage or reproduction without explicit permission.
In Graphic Design Copyright 101: A Comprehensive Guide for Clients, Fair use in copyright is when the artwork is used without asking for the owner’s permission. It only applies for non-commercial, transformative, educational, and parody purposes.
References:
- “Graphic Design Copyright 101: A Comprehensive Guide for Clients.” Unlimited Graphic Design Service, 7 Feb. 2023, penji.co/graphic-design-copyright/.
- Richard, Grefe. “Guide to Copyright” AIGA. PDF. New York City, 2001
2B. Shepard Fairey is a well-known street artist who gained significant attention for his iconic “Hope” poster featuring Barack Obama during the 2008 U.S. presidential campaign. The sign became a symbol of Obama’s campaign and was widely circulated. Shepard Fairey has been involved in legal disputes about creating the “Hope” poster.
The controversy stems from using an Associated Press (AP) photograph as the basis for the poster without obtaining proper permission or licensing. I’m a little torn between the argument that Fairey’s poster has a powerful artistic expression and a significant contribution to the political landscape and Fairey’s use of the AP photograph without permission infringes on copyright laws and undermines the rights of the original photographer. He could easily avoided this issue, but giving credit to the photographer and paying the fees.
Fairey showed disrespect for the photographer by first saying the image was different but later admitting it was a mistake he tried to hide. Photographers have a career focused on capturing and creating visual images. They are essential in journalism, fashion, advertising, and fine arts industries. Since Fairey is a designer, he should have known about image copyright laws.
References:
- “Graphic Design Copyright 101: A Comprehensive Guide for Clients.” Unlimited Graphic Design Service, 7 Feb. 2023, penji.co/graphic-design-copyright/.
- Richard, Grefe. “Guide to Copyright” AIGA. PDF. New York City, 2001
- Things Every Designer Should Know about Intellectual Property …, 99designs.com/blog/design-resources/copyright-infringement/. Accessed 9 June 2023.
