"A man who works with his hands is a laborer; a man who works with his hands and his mind is a craftsman; but a man who works with his hands and his brain and his heart is an artist."
—Louis Nizer
Far too often designers forget to think , love, and feel. Many firms treat designers as tools —meat machines who can create a basic layout or can "Photoshop That." Cheap advertising has turned many designers into production artists of the worst sort. We do not sell websites. We do not sell logos or print material. The role of a designer or an artist is to sell thoughts and feelings. Any designer, or piece or "artwork" or "creative" that does not seek to sell ideas and feeling should be challenged.
9.23.2011
9.21.2011
Stickman
My Art Director sent me this link today. This is a great interactive piece with an inspiring message. (It's fun. I promise)
9.13.2011
Well, this week Facebook changed once again. This doesn't come as much of a surprise to me. It seems that a significant change to the world's most popular social network occurs about once or twice a year, and the more recent changes have been some of the best. Some of the changes are intended to make necessary improvements to web functions or user interface issues, but I suspect that a lot of the changes are intended to keep users captivated. In internet years, Facebook has been around a very long time and continues to retain original users. I think a lot of the layout changes are intended to peak interest —to keep users exploring and learning the site. Keeping users in a constant state of exploration is a great way to keep people on the site longer.
Every time Facebook changes, I see a lot of statuses protesting the new layout. Weeks later people actually enjoy the new features. This certainly proves that individuals are resistant to change. I support the fact Facebook wants to continually change and improve.
Whether or not Google Plus could be considered a real threat to Facebook, users can see a lot of Google influence in the new Facebook system. For example, the "Top News" section is beginning to look more and more like Google's "+1" system. Facebook already has such a large and dedicated community; They should change and grow in their own way, independent of what Google is doing. Even if Google Plus becomes a prized needle in a haystack, Facebook's attempt to copy them would render the world's biggest social network to look like just another haystack.
Every time Facebook changes, I see a lot of statuses protesting the new layout. Weeks later people actually enjoy the new features. This certainly proves that individuals are resistant to change. I support the fact Facebook wants to continually change and improve.
Whether or not Google Plus could be considered a real threat to Facebook, users can see a lot of Google influence in the new Facebook system. For example, the "Top News" section is beginning to look more and more like Google's "+1" system. Facebook already has such a large and dedicated community; They should change and grow in their own way, independent of what Google is doing. Even if Google Plus becomes a prized needle in a haystack, Facebook's attempt to copy them would render the world's biggest social network to look like just another haystack.
9.09.2011
Neighbor Music
Neighbor Music
iTunes —Neighbor, 'til I'm with you
9.08.2011
Mad Men
I have recently become infatuated with this show. Set in the 1960's, the drama follows the life of a Madison avenue Ad man. The show features brilliant advertising campaigns as well as very interesting commentary on social issues of the time period. Visually, the show is also extremely well produced which makes it an emotional thrill to watch. I would recommend it to anyone, but I feel that this show is especially enjoyable to professionals in the creative industry.
9.06.2011
Copy Writing Clichés
As a designer and often an advertiser, I find myself writing a fair amount of copy. Rarely do I write large bodies of informative or persuasive text, but almost daily I find myself creating headlines, slogans, and quick descriptions. In headlines and titles, there are so many trendy clichés that they have become noticeable to even the completely uninterested viewer.
Two of these annoying trends caught my attention multiple times this week. The first of which is "Gourmet." What does gourmet even mean now? I have seen cheesecake, pizza, pretzels, and even potato chips tagged as being gourmet. It used to mean set apart or high quality. This hackneyed term has been so overused that viewers don't even believe its original meaning these days. The only semblance of meaning gourmet has managed to hold to is that it refers to food. Advertisers have taken a relatively pretty word of french origin and twisted the mean nothing more than "edible."
Another annoying trend is the use of scare quotes —unnecessary quotations placed on words for emphasis. Not only is the obnoxious, it is also grammatically incorrect. Its looking like you have something to hide, when common terms are set apart with quotes —especially if you refer to something as "Gourmet." To the modern english reader, these scare quotes mean to stick two fingers in the air and read the word more slowly, as if stretching it out to search for hidden treasures within the typical meaning of the word. I have found myself guilty at times, using quotes for no apparent reason. It is something advertisers and writers in general need to be aware of so that it can be controlled.
Two of these annoying trends caught my attention multiple times this week. The first of which is "Gourmet." What does gourmet even mean now? I have seen cheesecake, pizza, pretzels, and even potato chips tagged as being gourmet. It used to mean set apart or high quality. This hackneyed term has been so overused that viewers don't even believe its original meaning these days. The only semblance of meaning gourmet has managed to hold to is that it refers to food. Advertisers have taken a relatively pretty word of french origin and twisted the mean nothing more than "edible."
Another annoying trend is the use of scare quotes —unnecessary quotations placed on words for emphasis. Not only is the obnoxious, it is also grammatically incorrect. Its looking like you have something to hide, when common terms are set apart with quotes —especially if you refer to something as "Gourmet." To the modern english reader, these scare quotes mean to stick two fingers in the air and read the word more slowly, as if stretching it out to search for hidden treasures within the typical meaning of the word. I have found myself guilty at times, using quotes for no apparent reason. It is something advertisers and writers in general need to be aware of so that it can be controlled.
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