May 20, 2010
Distraction and Disorganization Kills Creatives
In my life's pursuit to make a living through art, I aknowledge two great impediments to any artist's success: Distraction and Disorganization.
Distraction is a lack of focus. It stems from discouragement, which stems from doubt. Artists doubt themselves too much, which is the reason they become discouraged, which leads them to distraction. The corelation between doubt and distraction is discussed by a religious talk given by Elder Kevin W. Pearson of the LDS Church.
Scott Belsky states Creativity x Organization = Impact. It is essentially disorganization that forces an artist into undiscovery, which artists know will make them “poor.” Consider the words of Scott Belsky as he discusses some of the most organized business enterprises in the world. Although they may be large and filty rich, they are not necessarily the most creative—but have a system that makes consumers swipe their credit cards repeatedly.
I believe creativity is the primary spark to a venture. As represented by Wal-Mart or Fed-Ex, the organization that is derived and refined from that venture is the perpetual fuel for monetary income. As in Apple or Google, stoking this flame with creativity makes it a bonfire!
I recall sound advice given to me by Brent Meikle, currently assisting me on a business venture, who said “Think in terms of the business, and no longer of product.” Meikle, an accountant by trade, is surely obsessed with organization. Me, a designer-artist by trade, is obsessed with creativity. The merging of business (organization) and creativity is key for success.
If an artist desires to make money from the God-given talents they possess, they must embrace organization and stay on task. Carpe Diem!
April 2, 2010
Where have all the pencils gone?
Toss the mouse, grab a pencil
I have a confession to make. I use my laptop so much, I no longer carry pencils or pens. I have difficulty finding pencils around my house, and even my children resort to Crayola markers and melted chocolate chips for kitchen-wall vandalism. In commemoration of this sad truth, I borrowed a pencil and sketched a complete advertisement for a political event, rather than relying on my computer for prestine vectors.
Original Sketch
Surely there are conceptual differences between the two images and statements, but I questioned the strength of pencil type vs. vector type (type of computer origin). Because the flyer would end up on doorsteps, I was concerned the sketched typography appeared too grungey and almost underground. Therefore, I replaced the pencil type with vector type. Is this post hypocritical?
If you happen to think this was an unwise move, let me know why. I may be stubborn, but I always like feedback.
Final Result
Dec. 29, 2009
Kaysville 1st Ward Cookbook
Symbolism in everything
I was asked by my fellow churchgoers to design the ward cookbook, but to not include the stereotypical picture on the cover, which is our meetinghouse, the Kaysville Tabernacle. Surely there were other icons that represented our ward, but I couldn't help ignoring the prominent building that stands as a pillar of recognition within our community.
Therefore, I decided to implement the architectural, artistic and symbolic elements found throughout the structure and include them within the cookbook's design.
I spent one Sunday morning shooting photographs of the beautiful tabernacle, designed by Architect William Allen.
Sadly, the tabernacle has undergone several additions and alterations which have rendered the structure quite functional but somewhat awkward in its visual appearance. Old photos of the building reveal its perfect symmetry, but recent alterations and additions have made the tabernacle unsymmetrical and visually awkward. Some ward members refer to these alterations as “The 70s.”
Over 150 cookbooks were ordered and printed, and since then more have been requested. Contact me if you would like to order a copy for $8.50.
Oct. 18, 2009
Isn't fall glorious?
Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah Day
On the way home from church, my son crunched leaves. It reminded me of this song, specifically the eloquent audible transition between James Baskett's “song that jumps right out of your mou—” and “zip-a-dee-doo-dah…” The animation burst that accompanies the transition times it perfectly.
In nature, and far from the computer, designers find great inspiration.
October 14, 2009
Sed Exemplum
Be Thou and Example
I was recently asked to design a t-shirt for youth that relayed the Apostle Paul’s words, “Be thou an example.” I opted to write the phrase in Latin because it reduced the number of characters, had only two words, and has an excellent phoenetic ring to it. It also displays the ∞ symbol, which represents “infinity.”
October 9, 2009
The Conscious Meld of Programmer and Designer
Mint made it yummy
The conscious decision of uniting programmers and designers to one great cause gave Mint a great presentation with a powerful plot.
What of their glorious UI and their simplified and fun interface? Mint’s original large text fields and well-designed submission forms made me happy, I actually enjoyed submitting my passwords and usernames to all my financial institutions.
I now struggle with the sad fact that Intuit manages all my passwords and usernames for my financial institutions...It’s like giving my wallet and entire life savings to an obese rich guy on a street teeming with pick-pockets.
Read more about Mint’s acquisition.
Sept. 28, 2009
Tease a Techie Today, Become One Tomorrow
It’s what we do
In the 80s, I teased Mac Users. In the late 90s, I began to use a Mac. When texting was new, I teased anyone who texted. Today, I texted two or three people, and wished I could text faster. Last week, I told an avid Twitter user to not confuse action with results, as if Twitter was a complete waste of time. I placed a video on my blog that blasted Twitter users.
This time, while I teased this techie, he tried to convince me otherwise. After the discussion, I concluded that Twitter allows individuals to become stand alone Oprahs, where every product or link they endorse could generate a buzz equivalent to the endorsements of the rich and famous. Twitter is an alternative universe where those who lack popularity in this tangible world can wield great great power in the digital world.
I have now made a mental note that when I get the urge to administer techie-teasing, I best get with the times. See how Twitter can be a powerful marketing tool for businesses.
Sept. 17, 2009
All about the Brows
Eyebrows key in facial recognition
Although I have thick forest-like eyebrows, the man above is not me.
I have drawn caricatures professionally, and learned that eyebrows must be drawn properly to obtain likeness. Check out this fascinating article on the importance of eyebrows in facial recognition.
Aug. 25, 2009
All for One Easy Payment of...
Remove the hurdles
Is it easy for your bread and butter to arrive? Is there a means it can arrive quicker? Without cost? Better? In a larger amount?
A client sought my assistance in building an online storefront that sold 10 items. The site had little else to offer and its sole purpose was to sell product. He then mentioned he wanted a STORE tab. Simultaneously, we agreed that the STORE tab would be unnecessary if we could place product directly ON the homepage.
As an example, see Design-by-Humans’ past homepage and storefront which display the price and product immediately. The DesignbyHumans site has since changed. Although its design has improved, the consumer cannot pay as quickly, undoubtedly thwarting many.
Wise design suggests we remove the hurdles for payment.
Aug. 24, 2009
The Power of Convenience
And what comes with it
On Saturday, after interviewing a WWII veteran for the Warbliz Project, I confronted dense traffic. My stomach growled so loudly I could hear its tremor over the noise of my rattling Geo Prism. Irritated at the tortoise-like movements on the hot freeway, I took the nearest exit whose blacktop lead to no commercial restaurants. “There has to be a drive-thru around here,” I thought, and my eyes shot upward searching for brightly colored signs. Further to the West, I saw it...the golden arches. Immediately, my mind released taste bud triggers, and McDonald’s Value Menu swarmed my mouth.
As I drove westward, the documentary Super Size Me crossed my mind, but it departed as I allowed the $1 Sundae fantasy flavor to overcome my tongue.
Suddenly, my advertising gullibility alarm started to sound, and I began to question why I was so eager to visit McDonald’s. I generally support local business owners, yet I passed restaurants who lacked franchising dominance—but I was hungry, hot and impatient. I pulled up to the two-lane drive thru, rolled down my window, and placed my $3 order. This was odd. There were no passengers in my vehicle clamoring for fries (which I don't particularly care for), I was on no timeline, and Mexican Food is my mouth's real party...So why did I chose McDonald’s?
Convenience.
In retrospect, I would like to evaluate my state of mind during the decision process: Hot, hungry and impatient. I fit the bill of a consumer who sought convenience as numero uno.
As with most epiphanies, I relate them to my design delivery. Am I convenient enough? Do I have a double path entry leading to my office? Do I advertise more prominently than my competitors?
I don’t—after all, who wants hot, hungry and impatient clientele? I’ll leave that to HP’s Logoworks. Those who choose Logoworks will eventually seek a “better burger.”
Aug. 14, 2009
Excellent Flash Presentation
The best I’ve seen
Politics aside, Annie Leonard’s “Story of Stuff” is glorious!
Aug. 13, 2009
Logo reality check
I would have never said this in college
Logos do not make businesses, people make businesses. Logos can break businesses, but people break them faster.
Aug. 12, 2009
Design critiques are a wonderful playground of learning
Nosebleeds are good for the soul
In college, critiques were my favorite. At the time, I thought my work was stinkin’ cool. When my professors hinted toward the alternative, I would pridefully rebut, as if they didn’t know “who ruled the monkey-bars.” Then, I became an instructor of Graphic Design, and witnessed students resisting my advice.
I would like to apologize to the following Weber State Professors: Pam Beverly, Scott Betz, Steve Stones, Suzanne Kanatsiz, Kent Ripplinger, Jim Jacobs and Emmanuel Garcia.
July 28, 2009
“Small is the new big. Sustainable is the new growth.
Trust is the new competitive advantage.”
Peter Bregman, Harvard Business Publishing
Read this fabulous article which touches on the necessity of businesses to adapt to today's economy. Here come the underdogs!
May 30, 2009
Is sIFR the solution?
This is a long “audioless” slideshow for all you web typography geeks who are looking for a solution to the aforementioned problem. Geek Meet: Web Typography and sIFR 3
May 28, 2009
Typographers finally making dents in the WWW
Arial and Palatino, getting old fast.
Historically, the web has offered web developers a limited typographic palette. To maintain consistency in visual style, designers who cared were required to flatten and export non-web-ready type in bitmap form. I know a designer who has turned completely from web development, because the web type palette is so limited. I know the frustration.
Web Designers behind Comcast.net and CNN.com chose to use “within-the-box” thinking which resulted the inclusion of web fonts within their web identity.
Slowly, the typographer's palette in web development is increasing. FontLab has been hard at work, developing the “.phf” format, touting the statement “Use any font in your own website,” and they have accomplished this feat. Although they're outrageous and raster, they're dynamic and searchable. This technology can convert the beautiful typeface Akzidenz-Grotesk and the cat food typeface above, into dynamic web fonts!
SIL International, has been extremely detail oriented in including all the Latin characters in their Gentium typeface, which is one of my favorite fonts with an OFL (open font license). Gentium can also be loaded within a .css page. View other free open source fonts (.osf) from SIL International.
Similar to what has occurred in the stock photography world, fonts may also become pirated, mimicked, or devalued to the point of insignificance. Imagine the entire world with unencumbered access to Trajan, the ultimate “sucker-font”…What a nightmare!
May 20, 2009
“Entrepreneurship is about reward from your efforts…
it is the secret weapon of America”
Greg Warnock, Junto Partners
May 19, 2009
Tangible vs. Virtual
Our hands are soft
Twitter. Blogger. Facebook. YouTube.
Young people, including myself, forget the tangibility of life. In a techie's lust for the next virtual app, few create or experience the tactile object.
I recommend a garden. Dirty fingernails are fun, and whatever happened to dancing?
Buttercrunch Lettuce, tastier than Blogger, born and raised in Kaysville Utah
May 19, 2009
“Over time, advertising's results are best judged by the
exposition of the consumer's pocketbook.”
February 3, 2009
Ignoring the Product and Selling the Sale;
The arch nemesis of great visual communication
I have been employed by many traditional media businesses in Utah, including newspaper companies, print-shops, advertising agencies, sign-shops and publishing firms. I began in 1996 as a production designer for yearbook creation, and spent several nights centering portraits in rectangular boxes. Since then, I have worked my way to sustain myself through self-employment. I have learned mountains of truth from each past company, and am grateful for their training—but I have also witnessed a shoddy truth about many media businesses: They sell only the sale.
The overarching emphasis of many media businesses is placed on the sale, and not on the form or function of the design product. The exuberance to protect the sale often trumps opportunities to improve the very product being sold.
Three reasons most media outlets do not tap into visual communication excellence are:
1. The backgrounds of the company executives reveal great experience in sales or business, but little or no visual communication experience. The emphasis on the sales or “landing the job” is naturally more important. Any work resulting from the sale is only peripheral, because the goal has been met. Due to the product's “peripheral” status, efforts to improve its quality are routinely bypassed.
2. High-demand, not enough time. Quality work generally takes more time. Poor work generally takes less time. Although a constant sales force is needed for any business, a hypnotic emphasis on obtaining more work through sales and increasing sales staff will undoubtedly swamp those who produce. In such a scenario, creators have little time to tap into greatness.
3. Often, there are many layers of flesh between those who request a job, and those who create the job. Although the quantity of individuals involved can hinder a successful result, it is not necessarily the number of peole that matter. It is the communication amongst the group that occurs at separate times that disallows team collaboration. This results in garbled, indirect or insufficient information.
Steve Jobs once said "People think focus means saying yes to the thing you’ve got to focus on. But that’s not what it means at all. It means saying no to the hundred other good ideas that there are. You have to pick carefully…We just want to make great products.”
If Mr. Jobs quote holds true, the disparate communication that occurs between individuals at separate times allows many to make decisions that oft times hinder those directly involved with product creation. Furthermore, the “yesses” and “nos” mentioned are difficult to track, thus magnifying communication problems and ultimately hindering the product.
Many businesses who sell media get distracted in pursuits not related to the very product they sell. This distraction can create an imbalance, which inevitably hinders the success of the product being sold.
How this stumbling block can be removed:
1. More entrepreneurs with a strong Visual Communication background are needed.
2. Greater ratios of designers to sales staff frees more hours to fulfill the demands of quality.
3. Collaboration between all involved in the project, fosters success. Not only is the designer enlightened about the client's interests, needs and direction, but the client is educated and inspired by all members of the team.
There is too much graphic design, and not enough visual and verbal communication. Design that truly makes a difference for the client is key. Many media outlets who produce continual work are often distracted in other realms. Strict focus on the well-being of the product will ultimately achieve success. By and by, heads will turn and people will align themselves with quality.
February 1, 2009
Graphic Designers or Visual Communicators?
The role of a “Graphic Designer” implies one who designs graphics, whereas the role of a “Visual Communicator” implies one who communicates visually.
Whom wields more communicative power?