Where did I see it? – Yes it was on a Mitsubitsu Trooper (or is it Isuzitsu Trooper – who cares - it’s ugly anyway) where I first saw fenders attached to the car with make-belief bolts. Recently most of automotive giants use this decoration as well. Could something like this happen to my GGB web where a Giant would borrow my idea and implement it into their web? – Yes, it can and I believe it did happen recently (January 2007). A Giant web began grading their models after I already came up and publish that idea. What is most funny is that the web that may have borrowed my idea claims to be the standard and reference master for the rest of the industry to follow. It is funny that in all of their glory, they may have absorbed one of my ideas without a blink of an eye. 

What am I talking about?
Well, back in September of 2006, I made photographs of Julia. In difference to other models that I photographed, Julia had elevated level of sex-appeal. Her facial expressions were artistic and igniting my desire to see more of her body. While processing Julia’s images, an idea was born to withhold some most desirable photographs from the general visitors and make them available only to members. To make it clear to the visitors I placed the seal “Van-Art Exclusive Model – for members only”.

In its design grading models is unfair and insulting to them. After all there is a wise saying that “all women are beautiful in their own ways”. Nobody wants to be told that someone else is more desirable or pretty. Although I wanted to add some splendor or glamour to my web portfolio this had to be done with skill and elegance. It could be acceptable after all to use word “Exclusive” without stating prettier or better. In reality Julia was not any different from other models; it is just that the images came different and simply better. Regardless of how I would try to wrap this slippery subject, Julia was hot and to see her secrets one had to go one step further – one had to pay.

Just about three months later while reviewing new promotional materials from my art partners, I noticed new entry – “Top 10 Model”. There was also a second grading “New Model”. Now we had a grading system where apparently, top 10 meant great, good, super model, then the new model of which we do not know much at this point and then the model that is not a super but a good model. This grading system is not visible to visitors as it is at this time visible to webmasters only.

In all, this may be a coincident where I am trying to make it look as if it was me who originated the idea. Maybe yes, maybe not, but one thing is for sure - you too can be a trend setter.
                                                                                                                       J.D. Akin