What is copyright in the design world?

Question

Design

Good day friends!
I want to discuss one issue on the topic - copyright in the IT field of computer games.
A little about me: I am a ui/ux designer for a large computer game company.
I was given the task: to draw achievements (achievements) that will be used directly in the game itself, as well as in the steam client.
*Before that, I did not draw achievements, I was engaged only in the interface. Well, accordingly, I was given a task, except for me there was no one to do it, and I took up its implementation.
Naturally, I looked through a bunch of works, studied the process of creation itself and took it only when I understood all the nuances in her drawing. I looked through more than 1000 achievements in different games and for some reason I didn’t like anything.
Then, by chance, I stumbled upon the work of one designer on dribble, who drew achievements and even suitable ones on the topic, and they really hooked me, exactly how they were made and according to what structure they were made. I decided to get inspired by them and use exactly the same structure of achievements, but change the content. I made a number of icons, they were approved and I completed more than 20 achievements, in vector, active-inactive state, in general, everything is as it should be. Despite the fact that I did them for the first time, but due to my experience in design, I did them well.
Then my guide found out that I used this designer's work, which with dribble to create icons for us. And they told me: that we can't use them, that I stole them, and that they don't want to risk and get a lawsuit for several million. To which I replied: that I do not consider this a copyright infringement, since even the fact that a different font was used, a different content, different colors. But they pressed their point of view to the end, accusing me of stealing and imposing a small fine on me.
And actually the question is:
Is this theft, would the company get a lawsuit if this person saw these achievements or the game for which they were drawn by that designer with dribble? who is right in this situation?
I would like to hear the answer from people who have experienced similar or knowledgeable in these matters.
I attach 2 pictures, 1 - designer with dribble, 2 - mine.
.

Answer 1

Your guide did everything right. Here you can see with the naked eye that you have compromised the idea and the general appearance of the achievements. And not a single self-respecting company will accept such work, they will only drag you through the courts, and then your management will drag you.

Answer 2

They are clearly not "stealed", but I would like to note, if you do not peer, there is a feeling that the icons were painted by one artist, in continuation to the past. You have taken his mannerisms, his figures, his style, his shadows, but you have drawn your content. A patent can be imposed on the style, so the position of the leadership is clear.
You do not correctly perceive the word "inspired", you need to be inspired by several works and, based on what you see, make your own ideas, and not repeat the style of another work.
But I will say that the most difficult thing about these icons is the content, you have it drawn beautifully, I do not think that it will be difficult for you to remake them in a different style.

Answer 3

Yours is prettier :) Thinner, clearer, neater, more detailed drawn :) But the general style of homo military is noticeable well - as if the author took his old sketches and finalized :) Here is the problem of large commercial projects - parasites who want to snatch a piece in legal and not very ways, so your leadership was reinsured.
Maybe it would be easier to agree with the author of the original design?

Answer 4

Then buy the icons from the designer and redo them. It's directly communized here.
They steal your idea or design, do you like it?

Answer 5

There is no theft in your work. But plagiarism is rampant.
If the game shoots and the author from dribble pays attention to it, then there may be trouble

Answer 6

If not for the general style of design, then maybe the icons would be original, but so - it is clear that the work of one author.