Understanding business ethics and etiquette has significantly enhanced my comprehension of design principles. It has highlighted the importance of being caution when sourcing images online. While I make sure to credit the appropriate sites, I’ve learned the necessity of obtaining proper licenses for unrestricted image usage. This underscores the reality of consequences, as exemplified by instances like Ralph Lauren and POLO.
2a) As a design student, integrating images with proper credits into my projects is imperative for my work integrity. Initially, I encountered challenges in correctly attributing sources, eventually, I have learned the proper way to credit images. Not only have I learned to credit the image origins but also grasped the importance of crediting fellow collaborators within group assignments. Even for the minor contributions, acknowledging and crediting each team member’s work is crucial. This strategy fostered a collaborative atmosphere while simultaneously upholding the norms of justice and equity in team work.
2b) As a designer, I found the Shepard Fairey copyright case to be unjust. His assertion that he had completely altered the original image seemed unfounded, as his artwork closely resembled the photograph. Adhering to ethical guidelines would have involved seeking permission from the original photographer and properly crediting them in his work. Therefore, in my view, Fairey’s actions were misguided. Upon being called out, he should have issued a sincere apology instead of attempting to conceal evidence. This case holds significance for designers as it underscores the repercussions of inadequate crediting and emphasizes the importance of proper attribution in creative work.
