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I was recently referred to useit.com. My first impression aside - I started to dig deeper, when I realized - hey, this is the guy that hates Flash. Yes, Jakob Nielsen, protheletizing web usuabilty guru.

This brought me back to a something that’s been bugging me lately - web usability and web standards. I’m tired of these terms thumped with self-satisfaction whenever someone chooses to ignore them.

I understand the reasons for web usability and standards. I’m just not convinced that they should dictate the web. In fact I’m pretty comfortable trusting that the web will develop in both usable and unsuable forms and the two will happily co-exist.

Back to Jakob. He feels Web 2.0 is neglecting good design. In reading more I see a bit where he’s coming from. From a Web 1.0 perspective, where the experience truly was, “get in, get it, get out”, customization, and community tools must seem silly. However Web 2.0 isn’t about “get-in-it-out”, but “existing”. Users are engaged with a web site, much as we engage with software, a video game, or even a good book. Web 2.0 usability is less about how easy things are than what can I do that I really enjoy doing. Just because something isn’t valid or complaint or accessible doesn’t make it bad, unworthy of pursuit.

A list, in no particular order. If I had to give up their use, I’d probably give up design…ok, maybe a little dramatic, but fun to say either way.

1. SNAGIT! - Screen Capture Software | $38.95

Snagit screen capture software is superior to anything on your Windows OS, your Mac OS, or any OS for that matter. It’s like having a digital camera in the virtual world. Don’t worry about processing. Just click, click, click.

Snagit Screen Capture Software

2. Adobe Creative Suite 3 Premium Design Edition | Upgrade $599 | Full Pkg $1,799

Don’t try to design without Adobe. It’s like trying to sing without a voice. And now that Adobe bought Macromedia, I actually saved money when I upgraded. There’s no software out there for designers that works as well as the tools in this package. (By the way, I’m including prices because it helps illustrate to potential clients the cost of getting setup to do serious design work…not to mention the years necessary to build up a good intuition.)

Adobe CS3 Design Premium

3. Moleskine Pocket Sketchbooks | $9.95

A designer should never be caught pulling anything else out of their pocket to jot down an idea. It just doesn’t look good.

moleskines.com

4. Nikon D70 (D80) SLR Camera | Pkg $1299 | Body Only $999

I realize this camera is ancient by today’s standards, however I’ve never, in the time I’ve used it, ever felt like, Gee, I which it would do that. I’m sure the D80 only better.

Nikon USA

5. Old Fashion Lightbox | $170

Ok, I’ve designed for years without one. Just purchased the Porta-Trac 18×24 last week. I knew that once I had one…well that’s why it’s on this list.

6. Powell’s Books | $$ Varies

Or any great bookstore (although I’m not sure one exists better than Powell’s). If you’re a Portland native, you know. If you’re not, and you ever visit, definitely visit Powell’s Books.

Powells Books

7. Diet Coke | $0.60 x many

After Starbucks in the A.M, a steady stream of dangerous chemicals are needed to reach full creative potential - namely more caffeine.

8. Electric Eraser + Electric Pencil Sharpener | Approx $50

The one needs the other in the quest for efficiency.

9. A Book/Copy Stand | $20

After years of peering over flat books while trying to learn how to do this or that thing, my neck is now in much better condition, thanks to this cheap little desktop assistant.

10. Gigads of RAM | $100 +

More, more, more. I need more.

The idea for this post was inspired by El Decor Magazine. Each issue they feature some famous designer I’ve never heard of and their 10 things they couldn’t live without. I’m not famous, so I had to post on my own blog, but if anyone would like to link to their own “10 Tools ______ Couldn’t Design Without”, please feel free to share.

No matter how many critiques I’ve experienced they never get easier. In fact, I think the primary objective of design school is to put you through as many critiques as possible before you go out and try to succeed on your own. Here’s a list that I find helpful when trying to recover from an especially brutal critique.

• Look for the truth beneath the clutter. Just as it’s hard to take criticism, it’s hard to give effectively, especially in a professional setting. This means words that are meant to mean one thing, likely mean something else. Get clarification.
• Have pride. If someone offers a criticism that seems off-base, or you feel stems from personal taste, stand up for your work. Not to be an egoist, but if you can’t defend a design decision with valid points, maybe there is merit to the comment. On the flip side, if you let a single comment trigger a complete rework of an otherwise valid design, then you’re hurting the client and your team.
• Go into a critique seeking harsh feedback. The truth is - it should come, especially if this is a first review. If it doesn’t and all you hear is “ah, that’s great!” or worse, silence, then you know you’re in trouble. The next review you show only a slight modification of what “everyone liked” and they’ll come back with a huge list of changes. Remember, as soon as you left the last design review, they all expressed what they really felt. Elicit feedback. If someone doesn’t give it, take the dangerous step and start critiquing it yourself.
• Give yourself a false deadline so that you’re never showing what you just designed. The design needs at least a day. What you see after letting it rest for a day will be what the client sees.
• Never get defensive. This is hard, especially when you feel the criticism is off-base. Responding with a valid argument is not defensive. Saying “It’s because that’s how I think it should be. And you can take it or leave it. What are you, a designer?” is defensive.
• And of course you can always resort to a few minutes of theraputic Photoshop on pictures of the client*.

This is only a short list. There’s probably a ton of tips out there on how to survive a critique. And as insane as it may seem, I think all designers look forward to critiques or reviews. It’s the only time you ever get to really hear what people think about your work. And it usually means you’ll create something better.

* P.S. If you happened to visit this post within the first 15 minutes, you would have seen my photoshop work on a group of stock pic biz people - hypotethical clients. I found it disturbing on my home page, so I’ve since removed. But I’m sure you all know what I mean.

An article in the Wall Street Journal, titled Outsource Your Life (June 2, 2007), brings home (quite literally) the concept of outsourcing. Of the seven outsourced examples from the story, only tutoring didn’t involve some sort of design.  

Yes. It’s a tough pill to swallow…or is it? Where there’s a threat, isn’t there opportunity? While I contemplated ways to integrate outsourcing into my own design workflow (who wouldn’t like to be able to take on more work, be priced more competitive and not work nearly as hard), I suddenly realized what this meant for all of us designers out there who, in addition to our day jobs, and side jobs, get these other job requests. Suddenly outsourcing sounded good.

These other job requests typically come from a relative wanting a logo for their business idea (not yet launched), and they only have $50. Or a mechanic your mother knows, also sells car parts, and wants to get a web site up. Oh and they have an idea, just needs someone with skills, and it shouldn’t take but two hours (since they know web design). “Say, does $150 sound good?” (more…)

1. Traditional newspapers & television stations will become irrelevant as more and more quality video, audio and text content first appears on-line.

2. Web users will watch more on-line video ads, as long as they are short (like TV), are funny or engaging, and introduce content they really want. Copywriters, Art Directors and Ad Agencies will learn how to use this medium more effectively.

3. Web design skills for small devices will be in strong demand.

4. The Political Action Committee (PAC) of one comes full force. Political campaign ads in the form of podcasts, vodcasts, blogs will lay the groudwork for the 2008 election year, meaning individual voices will have more influence than at any other time in US history.

5. The web will continue to be more about communication than technology.

6. Black text on white background will still be the easiest to read.

7. Craigslist.com will have to make the choice, get a face-lift or loose popularity.

8. Despite improvements in technology, the web will continue to get slower.

9. Marketing departments will realize that Search Engine Optimization is less important than quality content and real buzz about their product by their customers.

10. Adobe will release an new version of Studio 8, except give it a new name. New features will be nominal. 

Yesterday the news of Dave Cockrum’s death made minor headlines. I’m new to the field of comic book illustrators and writers and his name wasn’t familiar. I’m sure I’ve flipped through the pages of old X-Men comics and admired his work. And just recently I had the chance to watch X-Men: The Last Stand, a fun, entertaining film, and better than I expected. However, what captivated me most about Dave’s story concerned the sad news that his creativity and imagination, while bringing millions of dollars to a Marvel, basically left him with little to retire on, no medical benefits and little recognition for his contribution to one of the longest running comic franchises. Because he worked for hire, he relinquished any rights to royalties, or control of the copyright of his work.

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