(Article) Good Artists Borrow, Great Artists Steal: Why Trying To Be "Unique" and "Original" Is Killing Your Productivity

"Good artists borrow and great artists steal"

A quote from Steve Jobs which was stolen from Pablo Picasso who actually stole it from Thomas Stearns Eliot

Whether this quote is from Picasso, or merely attributed to him, doesn't make much of a difference. The underlying meaning of the message is the same either way.

I can name you dozens of great writers, singers, movie directors, car manufacturers, fashion brands and artists who steal ideas, remixing them with their works. 

Do you think that’s a coincidence? Think again.

A great artist collects from sources that inspire him/her, which he/she can draw from any time. 

He/she stands on the shoulders of great artists before him/her, and remixes their work, and then adds something of his/her own.

The formula is as follow:

• Steal from many sources
• Remix what you stole
• Add your own thing

However, it’s not as easy as it may seem.

Steal Like An Artist

Being an artist means learning from those who came before you. Very few things in the creative and art world are truly original.

Artists, designers, creators, inventors are always pulling inspiration from each other. 

They may not copy other others 1:1, but even if they did, that wouldn't make them great artists.

Great artists are able to pull inspiration from multiple sources. 

They can adapt and evolve their style to fit the project they are working on in the moment. 

They aren't stubborn and arrogant. 

They are always willing to learn from others to become better.

Stop believing your work is completely original. It is a detriment to your work and your craft. It stops you in your tracks and it forces you to be narrow minded.

Evolve with your craft and be willing to steal inspiration and ideas from those around you and those who came before you.

“Nothing is original. Steal from anywhere that resonates with inspiration or fuels your imagination… Authenticity is invaluable; originality is non-existent”

 —Jim Jarmusch

if you dig deep enough, you’ll find that everything has stolen from someone or somewhere. Nothing is truly original and that’s ok. 

What matters is how you steal.

“The secret to creativity is knowing how to hide your source.”

— Albert Einstein

It’s through stealing correctly that you can achieve the closest thing to originality.

Learn how to remix

To properly integrate the ideas you steal, you need to be able to remix them. And to remix, you need the ability to take a random set of ideas, and concepts, digest them into your brain, then add them to your work with a personal touch. A trademark, if you will, and come out with something original.

Add your own thing

Stealing ideas without adding something of your own is copying. Average creatives do that. But if you wish to be a great creator, always add your sauce to the stolen ideas you’ve remixed.

That is what can make you stand out.

It comes down to trying to expose yourself to the best things that humans have done and then try to bring those things into what you’re doing.

Absorb the ideas you steal and digest them into your subconscious.

When you do that, you will naturally remix them, and they will come out with something unique from you.

So why do 'great artists steal' ?  

Because it’s the best way to be original.

The benefits and joy the world has received as a result of stealing are countless. 

However, there’s a fine line between stealing and copying and it’s vital to any creators’ success not to cross that line. Because, although stealing might actually be ok (when used correctly) — being accused of stealing is not.

Essentially, it’s giving yourself the ability to build onto what is already great. Whether that means by updating something, introducing a new theme, changing it to suit a new audience or any other reason.

Summary

You need to stop trying to be 100% original all the time. It’s killing your productivity

EVERY idea has been influenced by past ideas. Every idea was inspired by things that already existed, stories that have been told, or work that has been created.

But remember to not rely on one source when stealing. Steal from many sources selectively, remix what you steal, and add something of your own. That’s how you become an original creativity thief.

Till next time