Originality Counts or does it?

[Jantrix]

Speaking for myself, originality is very important. More than one project of mine has been shelved because someone else built the same kit, the same way. Everything I build I try to take in a different direction. I want people to say "Ive never seen that done before, or at least not done like that."

But how important is it to you? For you factory stock builders, I imagine it isn't at all. But everyone else?

And Doc Cranky, no need for you to reply, we know the answer. :D

Edited April 10, 2012 by Jantrix

[rel14]

If it feels good.... do it,, I build whatever my sick little mind comes up with...LOL

[vintagestang]

If I see that someone built it the same way I will change it up a bit.

[sjordan]

I don't see how it makes any difference unless you build specifically for contests. I build what I want for my own pleasure, and what I want to have on the shelf. It ain't like your wife shows up at a party and someone else has the same dress.

[Dr. Cranky]

LOL!

[moparmagiclives]

Nope, take any one thing ( almost anyway) you see on here or anywhere else. It's not the first, and won't be the last. Innovation isn't doing something first, it's doing it better. I think that's just as important as originality.

[turn1wonder]

Someone commented to me at a show, "So, you're a cutter eh?". I realized right then that that pretty much is what I like to do the most.

I want to build/make what there never was.

Bob

[Joker]

What people see on the shelves

what I see

one more

James aka Joker

[jaymcminn]

I've been building customs for years, and now I'm on a factory stock kick with exotic cars... when it comes to either subject, I like to do something I haven't seen before. It's easier with customs, of course, but when it comes to exotics I scour the internet looking for unusual paint/interior combinations and different ways of building my subject matter. It's just more interesting not to have a shelf full of red Ferraris!

[MikeMc]

I think this says it best....( Thanks R.P. )

[SuperStockAndy]

Honestly, I do like to recreate models like I see in magazines. I'm just not creative enough to do my own designs.

[Eshaver]

Maybe that is what started me doing these years ago......................

Ed Shaver

[Austin T]

I'm about 50/50 ,I have some scary crazy ideas that brew in my thinking cap.

[Harry P.]

I'm with Skip. I couldn't care less about originality, as I don't enter contests or in any way compare my work to what others do. I build models because I like to build models. I enjoy the process. That's the only reason I do it.

What others do, and how they build a particular model, has absolutely no effect or impact on what I build or how I build it. I don't care if there are dozens of models out there built by others that happen to look like mine. Makes absolutely no difference to me.

[philo426]

i rarely build a model to match the box art .I always like to change the color of the body/interior just to mix things up!

[Mercman]

I look at things that I can incorporate into my builds that someone else might have done already. It will be different from theirs though as i put my own spin on it.

Joker, an Ed I love those builds you guys did.

[Agent G]

I built a '32 five window my way. Did an entire WIP on that "other" site. About a year later someone posted a similar build here, said he was inspired by one on the other site.

I was quietly flattered.

I like to look for inspiration, and will gladly emulate something I like, but I will put my spin on it.

G

[Mike Kucaba]

Originally it was

Seriously not for me. In fact I just saw a neat bash of a '56 Oldsmobile and '56 Nomad. I'll probably copy that.

If I was building something in replica stock I might look up what color combo was the least done and do that.(unless that color was really ugly.)

[peekay]

Personally I think originality gets slightly overrated in the model car world. If you take an old perfume bottle and add tank tracks and an Allison V-16 it'll get featured in the contest annuals for sure. A realistic looking factory stock has less chance, although it may have required more creativity and skill to get it to look like that.

Edited April 11, 2012 by peekay

[Chuck Most]

I'm currently rethinking a stalled project because I just saw one in the contest issue that looks similar to what I had in mind for it. (Steve Travis' '50 Ford F-1 on page 41.) Yes, mine wouldn't have been painted the same colors, etc., but the basic design and parts used are pretty similar to what I had planned on using. So mine is going to get reworked a little bit.

There are always exceptions of course- if I'm modeling an existing car or doing my own design based on another vehicle, originality doesn't matter as much. But for the most part I do try to build things that don't resemble anyone else's. I'm not sure if it is an important aspect or not, it's just simply the way I prefer to do it.

[CadillacPat]

There might be a confusion between originality and absolute uniquity.

If 2 or more Builders finish projects that look similar then absolute uniquity might be compromised, if that matters to someone.

But,

Who would ever know which Builder had their idea first, if that defines originality.

If each Builder A, B or C had the idea then it certainly originated with each of them.

If perchance those Models from Builders A B, or C were judged in the same contest then who is to say which one is original.

I never think about what someone else is doing when I'm building anything.

It doesn't mean anyone is wrong for allowing this to determine what they build, it would just never enter into my mind.

I build things for myself and the only one I have to satisfy is me.

Contests are great although I don't begin building soemthing to beat the next guy, I build to try and better my last efforts.

CadillacPat

Edited April 11, 2012 by CadillacPat

[Dr. Cranky]

Very interesting, Pat. I am liking this thread.

[Scott Colmer]

Orginality is the first thing I look for in other builds and strive for in my own work.

I really, really appreciate a crazy detailed, double whammy, throw down, blinding shiny model, but it someone shows me something I have never seen before that is thoughfully designed- I'm hooked.

In fact, it I have an idea that I see done before I get to it, I am a little bummed, but still pleased to see it done.

Scott

[torinobradley]

I kinda straddle the fence on this one. I am working on replicas of real cars/things and cars/things that don't exist. My current/last few projects were an Orion Pirate Raider spaceship of my own design made completely out of wood, Corvette Grand Sport #004, Penske 66 L-88, Bully Mack C Cab made from a radically reworked RC Cola Wagon and I have many, many more on the drawing board (little sketches in a big folder).

In contests, I have seen truly original models passed over for well done kits and vice versa. All in the judging. Some value the effort it took more while others value the finish more.

[Sixx]

I'll build whatever. I don't care if it's been done before or not