10 Ways to Pretend You’re Not Just Copying Other Designers

As designers, we’re all guilty of it at some point…

You’ve found that one perfect layout, that one stunning design that speaks to you—and before you know it, you’ve saved it in your bookmarks, jotted down some notes, and maybe even tried to replicate a few elements in your own work.

But how do you make sure your boss, client, or colleague doesn’t notice you’ve essentially plagiarized that gorgeous website you were “inspired by”?

Don’t worry, my fellow creatives, I’ve got you covered. With these 10 foolproof ways, you can confidently pretend you’re not just copying another designer—you’re creating something new… or at least convincing everyone you are.

It’s not about stealing ideas; it’s about “reinterpreting” them. After all, the line between “inspired by” and “just flat-out copying” is all about how you sell it.

So, whether you’re on deadline, in a creative rut, or simply too tired to come up with something completely original, here’s how to spin it and look like a genius in the process. Let’s dive in, shall we?

1. “I Was Just Conducting ‘In-Depth Research’”

Let’s start with the oldest trick in the book: “research.” You didn’t just stumble across that website that you now “borrowed” from—you were deep-diving into a vast sea of design knowledge.

You were performing critical industry analysis. As you gaze at your screen with a furrowed brow, you nod sagely and say, “Yes, I’m totally looking for trends… just need a few more hours.” Make sure to throw around words like “research,” “user experience,” and “industry-leading design” like you’re some kind of web design wizard.

Nobody will ever question your motives when you sound like you’ve been knee-deep in design philosophy for days.

2. “I’m Just Following the Latest Design Trend”

Trends aren’t copying—they’re just the current state of the art. Everyone’s doing it, so it’s definitely not stealing, right?

You’re just keeping up with what’s happening in the design world. You might have seen the same layout, color palette, and animations on ten different websites, but hey, it’s 2025—who can resist the magnetic pull of a nice, clean grid with some killer parallax scrolling?

When anyone questions the familiarity of your design, simply brush it off: “Oh, you know, just keeping up with what’s trending.” Bonus points if you mention something about “fluid layouts” and “dynamic visuals”—sounds fancy enough to cover your tracks.

3. “The Client Requested This Design, I’m Just Delivering What They Want!”

This is your get-out-of-jail-free card. If your design looks suspiciously similar to something you’ve seen online, simply blame the client.

After all, it’s not your fault they requested something exactly like that other site, right? You’re just the humble messenger delivering their vision—no copying involved.

When the client insists on a particular style that looks strikingly familiar, smile knowingly and say, “Absolutely, I can make that happen. I’ve seen that work elsewhere, so it’s obviously a good choice!”

Just be sure to add a dash of personal flair so no one catches on that your design is basically just a clone.

4. “I Was Just ‘Inspired’ By It”

Let’s be honest here: we all steal ideas. It’s part of the creative process, right? You didn’t copy that layout, you were simply inspired by it.

You saw something beautiful, something that made you go, “Yes, I need that in my life,” and now you’re channeling that inspiration into your own work. And when you’re asked about the resemblance? Shrug confidently and say, “Oh, yeah, that was a huge inspiration! But I added my own unique twist.”

You can even drop a subtle, philosophical line like, “Art is a conversation, and I’m just adding my voice to it.”

5. “I Made It ‘More Efficient’ By Adding My Own Twist”

Okay, here’s the deal: if you tweak something, even just a tiny bit, you’ve made it your own. 

Add a little extra padding to the buttons, change the alignment of the footer, or adjust the font weight ever so slightly. It’s not the same layout—it’s a “revamped, more efficient version” of the original. When questioned, proudly say, “I just thought this adjustment would make the user experience smoother.”

The fact that you swapped out one image and changed a couple of colors won’t matter. Now it’s a bespoke design! Feel free to drop the phrase “iteration” because, you know, that sounds really design-y.

6. “It’s Just Part of the Creative Process”

Ah, the old “creative process” excuse. You know, sometimes the best ideas don’t come from sitting at a desk and brainstorming—they come from endless hours of doing absolutely nothing, only to suddenly have the perfect idea pop into your head.

When your design looks eerily similar to something you saw online, just explain it away as a natural part of the creative process. “I was exploring different avenues, and this concept emerged organically.” It’s perfect. No one can argue with the mysterious magic of creativity. The more abstract you sound, the better.

7. “The Design Came From My Own Experience”

Here’s the secret weapon: personal experience. When you’re backed into a corner, just claim that the design is inspired by your own life—it’s not copying, it’s authenticity.

Maybe you just went on a trip to Paris and wanted to capture the “urban simplicity” of the city in your design. Or maybe you’ve spent years working in a particular industry, and this layout just felt right based on everything you’ve learned.

The more deep and personal the backstory, the less likely anyone will second-guess you. After all, who’s going to challenge your life experiences?

8. “I Was Working in the ‘Zone,’ Okay?”

Sometimes you’re just in the zone. The design gods are with you, and before you know it, you’ve built something that looks suspiciously like the 15th website you saw while binge-watching design tutorials.

But hey, when you’re in the zone, you can’t be expected to remember what’s been done before, right? Just tell everyone that you were “inspired by the process” and let your design “flow naturally.”

If anyone questions the uncanny resemblance, just shrug and say, “I guess it came out like that because it’s meant to be.” You’re just a channel for the design universe.

9. “It’s Part of the ‘Universal Design Language’”

Now, here’s the trick for sounding really smart. You didn’t copy that layout; you just followed the “universal design language.” After all, grids, buttons, and navigation bars are universally accepted for a reason—they make websites functional.

If you’re caught in the act, claim that your design follows the best practices of usability and accessibility. It’s not copying if it’s “standard” practice. You’re just doing what works. Just don’t mention that you’ve used the same exact template you found last week.

10. “I Added a Personal Touch, Honestly!”

And finally, when all else fails, just double down. You did make it your own. Maybe you added a slightly different background image, swapped the navigation to the left side, or changed the footer layout—whatever you did, it’s now uniquely yours.

When asked about the design’s uncanny resemblance to that of a major competitor, you can confidently say, “Oh, I added my own personal touch. It’s more streamlined now, and the flow works better.” Boom. Design magic. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.

Simon Sterne

Simon Sterne is a staff writer at WebdesignerDepot. He’s interested in technology, WordPress, and all things UX. In his spare time he enjoys photography.