Archive for the ‘thoughts’ Category

The best part of the iPad… the email.

Thursday, January 28th, 2010
Apple announced yesterday their iPad – “another revolutionary product.” Yeah, it’s going to be another cool gadget that I wish I had but am too cheap to get. But even more interesting to me than the product was the email that accompanied it.Yes, that’s right, the email.

I do a lot of email design in my career, so I love it when emails are simple, to the point and usable. This email is extremely simple. One main image, one sentence of text, one button. They don’t tell you the price, the features, the specs… none of that stuff. If you want to know more about that, you click through.

So many times I want the emails I design to be this simple. I get frustrated when they get bigger and bigger, but is it possible to make all email blasts this simple? Can an email newsletter be this simple?

Side note: take a look at this email without images enabled. It loses a lot of its glamour. At first I thought this was a huge drawback, but now I’m thinking it might not be as big a problem since Apple’s audience probably has images defaulted to show or at least knows how to display images.

Also on John’s posterous

Microsoft branding, another strike

Thursday, January 21st, 2010
Microsoft is at it again. Microsoft Office 2010 is coming out with an "updated" look and logo.

To me, this really isn't that bad of a design. Armin over at Brand New somewhat agrees:

There isn’t much to say about the updated Microsoft Office logo, except that it’s not that bad. Or better yet: It could have been worse. The yellow to orange gradient is fairly nice, the typography remains uninspired and the counter space of the logo is well considered. The shading is pretty rudimentary, but it reduces remarkably well. All in all, if they had stopped there, the update would have passed without much harm.

One of the major tests I like to apply to any logo is drawing it in the sand. If you can draw a logo in the sand with a stick (quickly), then you've got something going. If you can't, it's probably too complicated. This logo could definitely hold up to this test. Furthermore, the typography looks good to me. Not the best I've seen, but it's not hideous as one might expect. So you might expect this level of design to be carried over into the icons, but…

Yep, not all that great. I've used Office off/on for several years, and I'm already confused as to why there are three applications that all have the "P" icon.

To keep from rewriting Armin's review, check out his more detailed review; he's spot on.

Also on John’s posterous

Superhuman tape measure skills

Friday, January 15th, 2010

Why Can’t Christians Be Original?

Tuesday, January 12th, 2010
Read a post today over at Church Marketing Sucks called Why Can't Christians Be Original? I was thinking this over just the other day. Here's a quick excerpt but be sure to read the whole story.

For what it's worth, the article implies that some of the logo-spoofing Jesus junk is illegal, and quotes a trademark lawyer who says religious parodies generally don't fall under First Amendment protection. So keep that in mind the next time you think the Facebook logo and the line "Jesus wants to be your friend" is hilarious. Because it's not. And it could be illegal.

My comment, as this topic relates to the Christian music scene:

Snap, you guys read my mind. I was thinking about this just yesterday but to how it applies in the Christian music scene.

Secular music has Avril Lavigne, but "she's not setting a good image." So let's push for a "Christian Avril Lavigne." I'm sure you know of so many other similar bands.

Why is it that so many "Christian" bands are pushed as "Secular replacements?" Some amazing Christian bands get crazy secular attention because – get this – they're original.

Matt Kearney. Anberlin. Switchfoot. Etc.

 

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Design Inspiration: Simplicity

Monday, January 11th, 2010
I love objects that take on a new simplicity and functionality. Check out these two objects.


A simple cake server – link

A wine bottle holder (and no, it's not photoshopped) – link

First seen on Design Milk

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My Photo Featured on Schmap

Tuesday, January 5th, 2010

Got an email from Schmap a little while ago wanting to use one of my photos. Sure thing, I said. They were nice enough to send me a link to let me know what it looks like.

My photo of Arlington National Cemetery on Schmap

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Chrome experiment: Clock made completely with scrollbars

Wednesday, December 16th, 2009

Check it: The clock made completely with scrollbars. Just another chrome experiment

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Most ironic headline of today: “Obama defends war at Nobel Peace Prize ceremony”

Thursday, December 10th, 2009

Obama defends war at Nobel Peace Prize ceremony

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How Faith Varies by Church Size

Tuesday, December 8th, 2009

Interesting article about how Faith (or rather theology) differs among attendees at churches at various sizes: How Faith Varies by Church Size.

If you're a Christian, there are some interesting things to ponder here, such as the Church's beliefs on Satan. So many people believe that God exists… yet how can 51% (at most!) of respondents agree with the statement "Satan/devil is a living being not just a symbol of evil." I would've thought it would've been more.

If you're not a Christian, this is still an interesting survey to look at. Is this another example of the wisdom of crowds? Since large churches have the most attendees, do they select what is "orthodox" and what isn't (point by Marshall Jones Jr.)?

I couldn't find the actual questions that were asked. When looking at a survey like this, I always want to see the exact wording of the questions. Phrasing has so much control over the respondents answer.

Seen first at Church Marketing Sucks

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A couple of thoughts from 37signals

Wednesday, December 2nd, 2009

A quick couple of thoughts garnered from 37signals:

"Speaker's Tip: Don't tell the audience you aren't prepared" — Funny, I actually went to a presentation two weeks ago here at work where this was done. So annoying!

I’m all for winging it, but when you say “I’m not really prepared” in front of an audience you’re showing them the ultimate disrespect.

"A walk in the woods can make you a better designer" — I know this wasn't meant from a religious standpoint, but that's where I'm coming from. God's the best designer out there, and you become a better designer by looking at good design.

 

Nature can be loud, but it usually whispers. You’ll also sharpen your observational skills. Great designers are great observers. You’ll learn more about color than any color wheel or book can teach you. Lastly, you’ll clear your mind and fill it back up at the same time. Very few things can achieve a simultaneous refresh and refill.

"Paul Rand: 'Good ideas rarely come in bunches'" — I'm forwarding this to my boss(es). Most often when I present 3 web designs, it's only to lead my audience to choose the one that I've already chosen.

The designer who voluntarily presents his client with a batch of layouts does so not out prolificacy, but out of uncertainty or fear. He thus encourages the client to assume the role of referee.

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It’s finally snowing

Wednesday, December 2nd, 2009

Yes, it's snowing now in Dallas. Since I'm a transplant from Albuquerque, NM, I miss the snow and mountains tremendously.

Hopefully you don't feel like this guy

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How an elegant man approaches a woman – Hilarious!

Monday, November 16th, 2009

Why we should all record our voicemails: Elegant Voicemail?

Posted via email from John Keese’s posterous

Shoes made from bread?

Friday, November 13th, 2009

No seriously, shoes made from bread. Even more amazing, 3 “styles” are sold out.

What a RYE-ot.

Recycling can be well designed

Monday, October 26th, 2009

If Edmonton can have a well designed recycling website, why can’t Dallas?

Fun changes behavior, yes indeedy

Thursday, October 15th, 2009

Thanks to Volkswagen for reminding us that yes, fun can change people’s behavior. Great examples being the piano stairs and the world’s deepest trashcan.

This has great implications in design; web, graphic, etc. If something is fun to use, people will take time out of their busy lives to engage in it. Is your website fun to use?