Willie Nelson says that music hasn’t changed much in his lifetime. “It’s all music,” Nelson says. “You got so many notes and there’s so many words to throw in there, and you get different people mixing it up different ways. But you put it all together, and that’s music.”
Replace the word music with design. Design is the arranging of elements, just as music is the arrangement of notes. The way music is transferred between people has no doubt changed in Willie’s lifetime (e.g. iPod, MP3s, downloads). But, Willie isn’t trying to be anybody else but Willie Nelson. The way we distribute communications has changed too over the years (e.g. Internet, e-mail, Web sites) but we still read left to right, top to bottom.
Don’t let “the new ways” obstruct the goal of communicating simply with your audience, we’re still using the same notes. Find your company’s own unique voice, don’t worry about reinventing the wheel, communicate effectively and capture your companies own unique identity in the marketplace.
I was recently talking to a client about Web site development and he said a supplier of his insisted that users shouldn’t have to scroll to the information they want on a Web site. His contention was that Web sites that required users to scroll are somehow inferior.
I understand the desire to have relevant information ‘above the fold’—as is the goal when designing printed publications. However, this is unrealistic and unnecessary for Web sites in my opinion. Here’s why:
Screen resolutions and monitors come in all shapes and sizes. One user may be sporting an 800×600 CRT while another might be rocking a 32-inch LCD with 1280×1024 pixel res. The Web site won’t look the same on both monitors. Don’t get me started on IE, Firefox, Safari, Chrome and various mobile browsers.
People are used to scrolling. The reason there is a scrollbar on the aforementioned browsers is that people are used to scrolling.
The Web is for information exchange. I know everyone wants to have the coolest graphics and tight, terse copy on their site. But, you need to deliver a tremendous amount of (well-organized) information on your site for maximum stickiness, especially for SEO.
It’s important to note that some of the biggest brands have Web sites that require scrolling. So, in my opinion, it’s not about building a site that doesn’t make you scroll. It’s about developing a site that makes people want to scroll
What are your thoughts? Oh, and thanks for scrolling to the bottom of this post. Hope it wasn’t too much trouble.
In today’s fast-paced, PowerPoint propelled business environment where executives consume more bullet points than coffee every day, it’s important to communicate information both verbally and visually.
The scientific community has been doing it for eons. Take DNA for example, could you imagine explaining the genetic coding sequence of amino acids within protein? (Um, neither could I…I’m in advertising.). But when you create a visual for it you see it in a whole new light. (In fact there is even a site that allows you to frame your inner beauty with DNA art.)
Just remember, a well thought out, written document often gets glanced over and placed on a shelf. In order to really make an impact in your next presentation, try and help your audience visualize the point you’re trying to make. I guarantee it will resonate and garner more recall than just the writing on the wall.
What’s the best data you’ve seen lately? Thinking of giving DNA art as a holiday gift?
We’ve all heard of something called “writer’s block,” but not everyone is aware that designers across the globe face a little something called “designer’s block.” Sometimes, we just need a little inspiration to get us going again.
I often find myself visiting it when I am having “designer’s block.” This site is FILLED with resources that can inspire designers working in both b2c and b2b industries. It provides lists of 101+ Places to Get Design Inspiration and 99 Sites All Designers Must Know About. I keep it bookmarked in my browser at all times. Check it out and tell me what you think.
In this day and age, the new waves of next generation user interfaces (UI) are popping up left and right. From a graphic designer’s perspective, I’m always intrigued by the possibility of something that will make my work flow easier and more efficient.
This video goes over some new ideas to solve UI issues that have come up in recent years.
Usually, the systems that this new type of UI could work great for would be similar to ordering drinks at a restaurant. The problem from a graphic design perspective is; “how would this work in Photoshop for 8 hours?”
The main problem with envisioning the potential success of a new interface like this is that the current software we all use was created for the mouse. If the applications I use were rewritten with an interface like this in mind, who knows how powerful it might be. With thinking like this, I can see B2B marketing reaching new levels. This video is definitely worth the watch, perhaps a glimpse of what’s to come.
What do you think? Will we ever see these new interfaces worked into our everyday lives?
