From design copycat to original designer in 4 steps

Every designer starts with inspiration—maybe a stunning app, a sleek landing page, or a well-designed product. But there’s often a gap between admiring great design and creating your own. The good news? You don’t need to abandon what inspires you. Instead, learn from it and turn it into something uniquely yours.

This blog is your guide to growing from design copycat to original creator. We’ll share a step-by-step framework to help you analyze, experiment, and develop your own design voice. You’ll pick up actionable steps to become a designer who inspires others.

1. The Journey from Imitation to Innovation  

Every Designer Starts as a Student  

All great designers share one thing—they started by learning from others. Recreating designs to understand composition or mimicking typography to explore hierarchy is nothing new. Just as artists learned by replicating Old Masters, it’s natural to start your career by imitating designs you admire.

Why Copying Isn’t Necessarily Bad  

Copying is a natural step in the creative process. It helps you see what works, what doesn’t, and why. By replicating designs, you learn patterns, layouts, and flows, building a foundation for future innovation. The key is to use copying as a starting point for understanding and originality.

2. Deep Dive: Analyzing Great Design  

How to Deconstruct Inspiring Work  

The first step to moving beyond imitation is analyzing what you admire. Instead of just copying a design, ask yourself:  

• What stands out? Is it the layout, colors, or unique text styles?  
• Why does it work? How does it achieve its purpose effectively?  
• What feeling does it create? Is it calming, exciting, or luxurious?  

By breaking down these elements, you can reverse-engineer what makes great designs successful.Essential Design Principles to Look For  When analyzing, focus on core principles that apply across UX and UI design. These include:  

• Design Opportunity: Does the structure meet the main goals and needs?  
• Elements: What components are included, and how do they serve the purpose?  
• Layout: How are the elements arranged for flow and usability?  
• Direction: What visual paths guide the user through the design?  
• Size & Variations: Are sizes and variations used effectively for emphasis and clarity?

3. Getting Creative with Existing Designs  

The Art of Thoughtful Remixing  

After deconstructing a design, reinterpret it by remixing unique elements like layouts and elements. For example, adapt a section to different structure. Remixing sparks creativity while building on inspiration.

Making Designs Your Own  

To create original designs, infuse them with your personality and preferences. Experiment with unique layouts, unconventional typography, or soft color gradients. Make it yours, and it becomes authentic.

Experimenting with Variations  

Don’t stop at one iteration—keep experimenting. Try different variations. Push boundaries and see what clicks. With each variation, you’ll build confidence and discover what you enjoy most about the process.  

4. Discovering Your Design DNA  

Uncovering What Makes You Unique  

Finding your design DNA starts with identifying your influences. What designs consistently inspire you? What patterns and styles do you naturally gravitate toward? Once you discover this, lean into it unapologetically.    

Create a mood board of your favorite influences on tools like Pinterest. This will help you visualize recurring themes and guide your future work.  

Developing Your Signature Style  

Your signature style doesn’t happen overnight—it grows as you experiment. Some designers are known for light typography or minimalist looks, while others excel in bold brutalist design. Whatever excites you, refine it until it feels like “your voice.”

5. Becoming an Original Designer  

Your First Original Design Project  

Now that you’ve laid the groundwork, it’s time to put it into practice. Start your first design project with clear goals. It could be a passion project like a mobile app for sound designers or cannabis manufacturers. Keep it small and manageable to stay focused and avoid feeling overwhelmed.

Crafting a Reliable Creative Process  

Every great designer relies on a tried-and-true creative process. Experiment with workflows to determine what lets you work most efficiently and effectively.  

Growing Through Continuous Practice  

Originality isn’t a milestone—it’s an ongoing process. Keep working on personal projects, learning from peers, and staying curious about new trends in UX design. The more you create, the more confidence you’ll gain in your unique approach.  

Unlock Your Potential as an Original Designer  

Transitioning from design copycat to original creator is a skill—one that takes time, practice, and reflection. But by deconstructing great designs, experimenting with remixing, and finding your own design voice, you’ll ultimately create work that stands out.