Picasso makes a good point but in the world I live in, it’s not a good idea to lift someone else’s concept. It makes one look incapable of original thought and pretty low on the integrity scale.

I was about to pull the trigger on the above leaning tower of Pisa idea for a self-promotion piece. I posted it on Facebook. Then a photographer friend sends me the below ad. Someone got there first. I was grateful. Not every idea starts in one’s own head.

Above All, Be Original!

Every wine grape gets its start on the vine, in a vineyard, somewhere on earth. For starters, there is a lot of beautiful imagery right there. That is why a lot of wine packaging looks the same. My objective is to enhance the setting. Better still, take the wine totally out of context or add something new and unexpected. See the lawn mower or track and field hurdlers (Front Yard and iris Track Town Red). There are quieter approaches too, like adding texture and depth by multi-level embossing treatments. It’s all about creating a difference.

I Practice What I Preach!

So, when it came to my own promotion piece I had to throw away the tower of Pisa and start over. As you can see above, I kept things “leaning” to the right. I added color and brightness. The bottle of Ceviche seemed to complement “possibilities,” so I went with it. After all, creating “possibilities” is pretty much my one word job description.

PS – Avoid “borrowing” at all costs.  Here is the “original” by Viala Wines.