Ignite Show: Jeff Veen on great designers and cargo cults

Here are some great articles on the topic:

http://www.sitepoint.com/article/copy-great-designers-steal/

http://www.alistapart.com/articles/redesignrealign

http://www.cameronmoll.com/archives/000016.html

http://www.ryanbrill.com/archives/stealing-design/