Design: what's the point?
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- Melanie0
I've been through the same self-doubt on two occasions - both came with depression funnily enough. Design is like an inside secret - those who appreciate it and "get" it make the whole thing worthwhile. Those who don't, well... fuck 'em. Ultimately everything is trivial. Just watch Stephen Hawkings "Universe" and you'll see you can't do anything to make a difference. you're just a spec that disappears forever in less than the blink of an eye.
- ok_not_ok0
Life is what you make it, baby.
- antimotion0
It's just a job that allows some sort of creative outlet - I think many designers are artists, or have the artist's heart - they are simply compelled to "design" and "create" no matter the final outcome, if it's a logo or whole campaign - it's the "act..." at least that's how I look at it.
As far as the Steve Jobs comment on putting a ding in the universe, I feel that, apple really hasn't done anything that has actually changed the world - MP3 players were around before they made them, same with Cell phones... I think, the "design" is better so that affects the public, consumer. "the consumer" is enticed by the look and feel, possibly the haptic interface and therefore "want" the product - they don't really need it however.
I really feel that if someone like Mr. Jobs wanted to truly change the world and put a "ding" it the way we think and live, he and the many other multiple mega money bag loaded crew would funnel the funds into solving true problems, like disease, poverty, hunger, etc. I'm sorry but showing me a new phone every six-twelve months just isn't that impressive, the "design" might be radical, or cool or whatever tag you want on it but, it doesn't truly change anything. So again, design and art are just a way for creatives to share their vision.
Essentially any artistic endeavor is a personal journey, from the most radical to the mundane - and in the end, just a way to pay rent and buy food, etc.
- The Gates Foundation has, thankfully, taken their money and done exactly that.monospaced
- BoneCrusher0
Good post antimotion, I agree that Apple isn't really changing the world. I still think Jobs' boundless ambition is inspiring.
- I disagree. We may look back and see this decade as designed by Apple in many ways.monospaced
- user_00120
- painfully contorted hands?iCanHasQBN
- double jointed probablyuser_0012
- BonSeff0
how's the weather swinging from job's nutsack?
- BoneCrusher0
I'm not even an Apple fan you, BonSeff.
This is a thread about setting goals for our lives.
- BonSeff0
ok... just interesting to me that you find "Jobs' boundless ambition" inspiring, but no mention of an organization like say the Red Cross and the like that truly make a difference other than selling the huddled masses gadgets.
- i too would like to find something to sell to the homeless!airey
- Nutter0
I think we often undervalue design because we are so surronded by it. We don't think design is a nesessity as much as a competent doctor is, but something we take for granted as a computers interface design has a much wider impact than a single doctor has in your everyday life.
- airey0
goal one:
never, ever become some sad, self absorbed douchenozzle that posts about 'life ambitions' or goals online. most importantly, never become some complete fuckwad that sticks said horseshit or similar affirmations on the back of the toilet or bedroom doors.goal two:
never get so delusional that you think design really fucking matters on a long enough timeline. what looks great today blows tomorrow. c'est la vie.combined goalish overview:
get some fucking perspective and perhaps fap more.
- set0
Dear thread starter, you are a self important cunt.
- BoneCrusher0
At least the things architects create are around longer than a year.
- superunknown0
Perfect place to express your feelings.
- twokids0
you kind of have to like what you do, whether in the end its pointless or not. Writers, like my wife, love the shape and sound of letters coming together....that basic level makes her happy. So she is a writer.
I love the small details, pixels, how they get organized. A nice soft drop shadow, a beautiful animated movement. Even if it is for a stupid product.
If you can't do that, find something else to do.
- exador10
i like to think i make the world a tiny bit nicer looking in my own way....simplistic enough, but i enjoy it. regardless of what some may think, it's not trivial at all.....people react in an emotional way to good design. Take something like, fr instance....paint can labels......i saw one a few years back that won some awards...it was gorgeous....i like to think that whomever designed that probably made a lot of people at the paint company happy....the label was so nice, i wouldn't be surprised if it helped move more paint off the shelves...which in turn made the company money....which helped the people that work their buy christmas presents for their kids....
all these things are connected....
simplistic?..yeah..ok...but still valid i think....
no matter how you slice it, or how you want to describe it, people have made art since the dawn of time...art moves us....it makes us think....and at it's best...design is beautiful art....
its not just 'a logo'....its a little piece of art someone thought about and worked carefully on to make it the best that they could...
and frankly...its a lot of fun....
there are a whole lot worse things one could do with their lives....
as far as i'm concerned, this is probably one of the best ways to make a living...be creative all day...play on a nice mac....make websites, print ads, posters, online apps, logos, packaging....
compare that to the poor schlep that is working retail all day and is constantly watching the clock....or the guy in a suit in an office somewhere that can't wait for the weekend to take him away from the drudgery...not sure about some of you..but i look forward to work each day...i'm lucky enough to work at a place with a lot of decent people, some unbelievable clients, and well...lol...i'm the creative director, so i get a fair bit of leeway in all the creative decisions....
this career has paid for my house, my car, its putting food on the table, and i honestly can't complain....
like many of you (aside from possibly bonecrusher) i knew growing up i wanted to do this....all my life the only thing i was truly good at was art...was practically born being able to draw etc..had a good imagination....always new i was going to do something with art as a career....
then, one day around the age of 15 or so, i was in business class, and we saw a doc on Chiat Day.....watched how they came up with commercials like apple - 1984...stuff like that....Lee Clow, etc....these dudes looked like wigged out hippies running around having the time of their lives...i knew in that second that THIS is what i was born to do....and although i haven't worked at an agency in the last decade (made the switch to a consulting firm and became their CD a long time ago) its pretty much the same work as i did in agencies...and its awesome....
so there...it may not be as important in the grand scheme of things as being a doctor...but thats ok.....let someone else be a doctor....let someone else be a professor (my brother in law is a prof, and he seems to like it just fine...so good for him, says I ) for me...design is something i absolutely enjoy....and like a lot of you here (and lets face it, I've been here on QBN/NT for about a decade or more) I couldn't imagine doing anything else....
sorry for the long post ;)
cheers
ex
- thebottlerocket0
Victor Papenak, addressed these questions in the 70's and 80's... either continue to design for a small elite of the world or pursue a career addressing problems that can provide profound change for many people.
- hellojeehae0
yeah. inspiring...
- BoneCrusher0
nice post exador.