His name is Cyril aka Rimshot. He's a drummer, designer, and biology student in the south of France. And he's also about to step on Pixar but that's their problem.
In our negotiations I tried to give him unlimited use of my designs and the state of Ohio in return for the title of Count and ownership of a small village near the Mediterranean.
We settled on changed images and the exchanging IM names — in fact I'm chatting with him now. I brought Didier into the discussion because my French doesn't work — lots of characters going across the screen right now and I have no freak'n idea what they are saying.
Pretty cool.
So through the use a little international diplomacy America and France are on better terms. He's a little bit country, I'm a little bit rock-n-roll.
As much as the web can be used for ripping, it can also be used for forging trans-global instant message conversations about design, sleeping habits, and jokes about PC users.
Join the fray by reading through and commenting at the end.
Ah yes. I am truly the Kofi Annan of design. Uhmm... right. This kid was a classic case of someone who enjoys building a website, experimenting with photoshop and icons — but unfortunately no knowledge whatsoever about the rules that govern this industry. Well, not so much rules, rather etiquette I guess, but some things are protected by law. So do not touch it. To be honest I feel some kind of sympathy. Back in the days when I totally sucked at anything remotely related to design I looked at designs produced by others. I would save a local copy and try to understand how it was crafted. Learn, appreciate and respect but remember — do not copy.
I can waffle for hours about what is allowed in design and what is not. But who cares, really. Copyright is definitively an issue with digital productions. This kid was not really an issue. He was just having fun and apologized about a zillion times. Ok, so I threatened to pay him a visit and show him how we designers handle such a case — mano to mano. Hey, a little violence never hurt diplomacy, right. On a serious note though, a small conversation does miracles. Greg says pretty cool things in French and with a few more lessons the French are going to drool over this all-american boy.
You can't give Ohio to a Frenchy...you're family is from, and some of us still reside in Ohio...so that's not an option...give them one of the Dakotas or Virginias...do we really need 2 of each?
LOL
Sounds like this guy is going to end up getting himself in some legal trouble in the future if he doesn't learn from this one. I mean, Microsoft was -- or is still -- after a high school student named Mike Rowe for using mikerowesoft.com to showcase his programming skills.
Some people have no mercy, so Rimshot should be happy. I'm glad you guys are talking some sense into him.
Off topic: Didier, can you find out what "Rimshot" means.
Wiping the tears of joy from my eyes. I knew the land that loves Jerry Lewis can't be all bad.
Another Hindenburg esque disaster averted. Well done!
In other news: Designers discover how to make friends and influence art directors.
Breaking news: Ben's down the tree. Hoo-ra.
Ok, so I threatened to pay him a visit and show him how we designers handle such a case  mano to mano.
So what were you going to do? Re-design his website?? Designers aren't known for their arse kicking... it's usually the other way around.
Funny story though =)
Haha, PC users.... Heh, they're funny.
Rimshot
I guess he means it in the drumming sense.
Haha! I'd say, after this, every kid will steal your imagery -- just to have an opportunity to talk to you, guys! And even in his language hahaha -- what a clever boy!
Hey, let's see if Didier is fluid in Croatian, i think i saw some stolen stuff here in Croatia. : )
Someone recently ripped off my site, so I had a little revenge. Unfortunately, they turned out to be some 15 year old kid from Brazil. I turned out to be the bigger, erm, bad person.
Sometimes, kids just don't know what they're doing. Glad you didn't jump the gun like I did.