If I had to guess, I'd say they used the basic wireframe from the Romulan warbird ship and tooled it around, added more internal structure and changed some of the basic component placement. People have said a lot that it looks like this ship from here or that one from there, but I don't think the designers would do that. I mean, why bother when you can effectively re-use existing wireframes. (the Delta. hah, awesome! the other pics someone posted... don't see it other that, except the last one, they all have long necks, a fore section that small and an aft section that isn't. If anything, they probably copied the star trek warbird ship design which predates all off them).
All of this said, designers and artists commonly take inspiration from other work, it's normal and commonplace. There's very little truly new under the sun. Most works of art, even very good ones, are inspired by the work of others and unless the artist is an arrogant loser, they'll tell you without hesitation who and where that inspiration came from. Unless it's a flagrant copy (which in this case, would get PWE/Cryptic sued for copyright violations), being able to draw a resemblance doesn't mean the artist isn't any good, it means they're an artist and they're doing what every artist always does.
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Hehe, aye to that. I'm fairly certain I shouldn't link to any sites that feature what I thought the design inspiration was...
I love her, but she looks so... long.
So does it have separation too? In your ispiration picture, I see a separation line. Do we have a carrier with separation ability?
http://www.hard-light.net/wiki/index.php/File:Gvdhatshepsut-old.jpg
plus this:
http://www.xtimeline.com/__UserPic_Large/5/ELT200710061934041404732.JPG
and this:
http://images.wikia.com/halo/images/a/aa/Assault_Carrier_2.jpg
:P
All of this said, designers and artists commonly take inspiration from other work, it's normal and commonplace. There's very little truly new under the sun. Most works of art, even very good ones, are inspired by the work of others and unless the artist is an arrogant loser, they'll tell you without hesitation who and where that inspiration came from. Unless it's a flagrant copy (which in this case, would get PWE/Cryptic sued for copyright violations), being able to draw a resemblance doesn't mean the artist isn't any good, it means they're an artist and they're doing what every artist always does.
...hmmm.