In which I gain a new perspective on the meaning of 'non-commercial' licences for photos and the like: it's not always about whether you're charging for the work it'll be used in.
On asking ‘Why?’
In which Frank Chimero makes me think about the questions we ask about our work, and that of others. 'Why' often yields far more interesting answers than 'How', and leads to work that has meaning.
QuaDror's Beautiful Geometry
In which I consider the complexity required to achieve useful, beautiful simplicity, as exemplified by the QuaDror, unveiled by Dror Benshetrit at the 2011 Design Indaba.
On Pacing
Running is an intriguing sport. Indeed, for many of us, 'sport' may be a misnomer. Our focus is not on others or how we fare against them. It's just us and the road, in self-centred, meditative solitude, competing only against ourselves.This is why running is so addictive: physical fitness aside, it's the mental battles of self-discovery that keep us coming back for more, pushing our limits further than we knew we could.
On Boxes
I’ve been working with Acme Boxes most of this year. Their work is good, if not stellar, prices reasonable and service prompt and friendly. Lately however, I’ve been a little disappointed. It appears clients are merely a necessary evil to this company.
On Spec
There are enough valid reasons for both clients and designers to oppose spec work, amongst them legal risks, economic sense and ethical concerns. Frankly it’s surprising any of us could countenance sullying ourselves with spec.Nevertheless there are also enough unscrupulous, ignorant or indifferent clients and (loosely defined) designers out there happily engaging in spec work to ensure the argument can’t – wont – be won.
As designers, woe-is-me-ing and pox-on-you-ing aren’t doing us any good. We’re better served acknowledging (though not legitimising) spec work and learning to live with it.