Since I have received the same question from a few of you, I think it bears repeating here. In general, the question has to do with how do I want the creative process documentation presented to me.

As we discussed in class, I want the research, applicable brainstorming, and refinement process (documenting how you gave the process time and what feedback you got from who, etc.) printed and presented in hard copy. I also want all the related digital files (drafts and revisions, the final product, etc.). These files should be referred to in your printed document. The idea here is to present me with something in hand that makes it easy to see the entire creative process as you moved through it. You all work in different ways; therefore, there’s no cookie cutter template I can give you to follow. It’s up to you to determine the best way to do this.

So, to summarize: I’ll need one printed document, and at least two Illustrator documents (the final product and the working/refinement file).

Any why am I only seeing this question the day the assignment is due (he asks knowingly)?

Proof that randomly and liberally tossing buzz words at a project isn’t always the best idea:

C|net photos

Other potentially overused buzzwords?

Continuing the tread on our conversation on branding issues, James Duncan Davidson provides some thoughts on Adobe’s plans to continue to stretch their venerable Photoshop brand. Adobe’s first foray into extending this brand was with a stripped down version of Photoshop called Photoshop Elements. Lightroom, Adobe’s new software for the management of photo shoots, has come out of beta as Photoshop Lightroom. And now Adobe has announced they have a free online version of Photoshop in the works.

James presents some doubts that this is a smart move:

It’s the soft-drink and beer branding approach applied to software. Except that it’s a lot easier to understand that Diet Coke is the sugar-free version of Coke. They’re both soft drinks (or “soda” or “pop” depending where you’re from). Placing the Photoshop brand onto Lightroom is like calling lemon cookies something like “Coke Crunchies”. And putting the Photoshop brand onto a web-based too [sic] like like calling a pizza something like “Coke Cheesy”.

Give the whole article (it’s short) a look and determine your own opinion on whether this is a good or bad move for Adobe.

The whole interweb seems to be buzzing with this Art vs. Design stuff lately. But Joshua Porter’s article ads some new context to the conversation.

Bad design is obvious because it hurts to use. It is awkward, difficult, and complex. In a great irony of the world, bad design is much easier to see than good design. It raps us on the head like a bully. Because of its success, great design is often invisible.

This is a great read because it puts the end into perspective. The user, or viewer of your designs, is the focus here. Give the article a read and tell me what you think of Porter’s observations. Do you agree (you sycophants) or disagree?

As always, I’m not telling you what to think here. I’m just pointing out some of the current conversation to be found in the wild. Read it and form your own opinions. Just be prepared to defend your position.

(via)

Howdy all. Good news - I finished grading your midterms. Overall, I’d have to say great job everybody. Bad news - because I’ve been grading I’ve missed my window for a nap. So now I’m grumpy. But I guess that’s not your problem. Anyho, before you ask me if I’ve posted your grade to the grading system, let me tell you this: I will not post your grades until after class on Wednesday. Why? Well, the tests will be handed back for us to review. After that, you can call me out on any math errors I might have made, argue for points (tastefully, of course), and all that fun stuff. Then I’ll post your grade. Fair enough? If you want a chance at salvaging anymore points with your killer debate/persuasion skills, be at class. On time.

In other news, please be working on Assignment 6 and doing the other things I’ve asked. And be reading. And looking for design in the wild. And stuff.

Sheesh, I’m tough.

As we touched on in only the briefest of fashions a few weeks back, different cultures have different sensitives. Verbal or visual messages that are fine for the United States can and will offend an entire other continent. Using blue for a corporate website here is fine; using blue in certain parts of Asia for the same need will lose you customers.

The Wall Street Journal has a story dealing with Apple’s ongoing Mac/PC ads and the changes Apple has had to make to be effective and be culturally sensitive.

But in Japanese culture, where direct-comparison ads have long been frowned upon, it’s rude to brag about one’s strengths. So for Japanese versions of the ads that rolled out last fall, two local comedians from a troupe called the Rahmens made subtle changes to emphasize that Macs and PCs are not that different. Instead of clothes that cast PC clearly as a nerd and Mac as a hipster, PC wears plain office attire and Mac weekend fashion, highlighting the work/home divide between the devices more than personality differences.

Please read the entire article and make note of the various cultural differences. We will discuss your observations in class.