Style vs. Ability
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- Shaney0
i must be a bit older than you flash, i just make everything look like a sex pistols poster and calli it retro fooking cheek
- flashbender0
I mean back int he late 90's I was the bling king... man those were the days. I could make anything look like it was bordered in gold and covered in diamonds.
BLING Muthafucka BLING that shit up! ah, man, Hennessey out of my gold plated diamond encrusted pimp chalice...
Unfortunately now that is not so much in demand and I am reduced to generating new sandwich concepts for KFC.
- flashbender0
what happens when your style falls out of favor?
- utopian0
Generalist are just that...
- AngryMob0
style and ability, like I have.
- bort0
This debate is making me hungry. Anyone want to grab a Double Down?
- luckyorphan0
Re: Focus to Grow
I can't help but feel that this analysis is intended for firms, but not individuals.
Dozens of my colleagues from school are unemployed now because they specialized. All of them mastered some styles, and therefore, upon portfolio reviews for the department, those who didn't mimic that gimmick or style stood out as clear thinkers and individuals, and the other style sheep were sent on their way. Far too often they complain to me about hating to respond "no I can't do that" or "no I've never done that" to job offers, and sadly, either producers and HR pros are too limited in their imagination, or the job market is so saturated that they don't have to be. Therefore, they pass on the style kids.
Also, I've watched entire sectors of industries collapse around specializations. How many inbetweeners, clean-up artists or traditional background painters are there in animation, for instance? How many flash-based designers can't get work because they can't script and do After Effects as well? Most of these people specialized, and now they're out on their asses.
I appreciate the analysis, and there is a lot of truth in it, but I just don't see that as playing out in reality.
Over.
- camer0
mimic
- KarlFreeman0
Massively dependent on circumstances but I think mastering a skill and then becoming a generalist of key skills associated with that would be best. Eg, Specialize in typography but don't limit yourself to one style of typography master the field not a style.
- dskz0
be a generalist and have style.
- johndiggity0
from an email somebody sent me. somewhat relevant:
Focus to Grow
by Tim Williams
In turbulent times like these, marketing communications firms are scrambling to identify the best business strategy not only to get them through this recession, but to position themselves for success once the recession is over.The natural response is to "try a little bit of everything"; to expand your services, broaden your capabilities, and try to appeal to more clients. It seems like common sense, but it's exactly the wrong response. The best growth strategy in good economies or bad is to decide what not to do.
Expand by narrowing
Imagine two architectural firms: one that's extremely focused with a clear value proposition, and one with an unfocused business strategy that attempts to do everything for everybody. Which of these two firms would have:
* The strongest earning power?
* The largest geographical market area?
* The fewest competitors?
* The greatest degree of respect from clients?
* The most sophisticated clients?The answer in every case is the focused firm. Let's look at each question individually.
The greatest earning power. It's a simple fact that the specialist earns more than the generalist. This is true in medicine, law, engineering, architecture, consulting, construction, you name it. This is because the specialist knows more, and we live and work in a knowledge economy.
The largest geographical market area. Focused firms draw clients from all over the globe, not just from their own zip code. That's because what theyre selling isn't available down the block from some other firm just like them.
The fewest competitors. The easiest way to narrow your competition is to narrow your focus. There are far fewer specialists than generalists, and the law of supply and demand dictates that the less supply the greater the demand.
The greatest degree of respect from clients. Knowledge and expertise equals respect. An effective value proposition allows your firm to develop and leverage its intellectual capital. This makes you valued and respected not just for what you do, but what you know.
The most sophisticated clients. In the boardrooms of professional firms everywhere is heard the lament "If only we had better clients." A quality value proposition attracts a quality client. A business that proclaims "were right for everybody" is logically going to attract both the good and the bad.
- lukus_W0
Specialise in coming up with the best solution for each problem you encounter. You can't decide on the style without following the problem along it's own particular trajectory.
If you think a graphic designer's job is to 'style' content, you should maybe consider changing careers and becoming a window dresser. I hear it's quite competitive though.
- doctor0
I believe more in developing a consistent approach to matters, rather than a specific style or maximum versatility. Your approach will reflect itself in the results of course, but can vary enough not to be called a 'style'.
- identity0
I think solving a problem, affecting revenue positively, etc. should be what you aim to do - coupled with educating a client that the way you're doing things are in their best interests...
I guess it probably all depends what specific focus of design you're in though...
- identity0
style=fart, right? ...right? ...have people been lying to me?
- doesnotexist0
who the fuck cares?
apples & oranges.
- I didn't type that, someone hacked my account..neue75_bold
- < LOLutopian
- hehe. blend it! make a smoothie.akrokdesign