one little cog

One with a cause, and the other with humour (and another cause)

The First

So let me tell you why. Designers suck because they are arrogant. The blogs and websites are full of designers shouting how awful it is that now, thanks to Macs, Web 2.0, even YouTube, EVERYONE is a designer. Core 77 recently ran an article on this backlash and so did we on our Innovation & Design site. Designers are saying that Design is everywhere, done by everyone. So Design is debased, eroded, insulted. The subtext, of course, is that Real design can only be done by great star designers. –Bruce Nussbaum

I ran across an article in Business Week by Bruce Nussbaum that points out the failures of designers and the future direction of design in general. Nussbaum points to designers who complain about how everyone is a designer now and invalidates a designer’s argument by pointing to web 2.0 (ick…) and Design Democracy. I agree with Bruce Nussbaum that many designers are quite arrogant and concerned about the increased competition, and I should also point out that many designers shouldn’t complain too loudly in comparison to photographers who have had digital photography change the industry landscape.

That being said, having been involved with design teams for the past four years, I can understand how there are some horrible ideas from people who have no sense of design whatsoever. I think there is a place for professional designers and the avid-designer. The Internet is what I view as the great leveler, flipping the market into a vastly level playing field for all kinds of people and since design is pretty much subjective … if you are a truly good and effective designer, then you have nothing to worry about. The grass will continue to grow green.

I know my style of design isn’t for all businesses and personalities so I stick with what I do best.  Everyone has their own style and should just focus on honing it.

The Second

The transition to silence was immediate. All eyes suddenly turned to me, raised eyebrows all around. If you hadn’t heard my response, judging from everyone’s reaction you might think I said something outrageous like I was a male stripper or a gynecologist — but I knew the awkward silence would soon be broken by an overwhelming outpouring of computer questions. — Shaun Boyd

Reading Shaun Boyd’s post on LifeReboot.com about 10 Reasons It Doesn’t Pay To Be “The Computer Guy” reminded me of my situation at almost every workplace and school environment that I have been in.  I felt myself smirking and grinning at different points.

Like Shaun, I grew up tinkering around with technology and really never held any fear of “hi-tech” items.  I destroyed some, I fixed others.  That’s how I learned and gained experience with dealing with computers in general.  With the introduction of the web, I really have moved away from fixing and toying with computers although on the odd occasion I do teach computer classes or hold a tutorial with clients.

Contrary to Shaun, while I do get interrupted on a consistent basis, I don’t tend to mind it as long as I am getting my work done.  My primary role is internet marketing but somehow “computer guy” also gets thrown in there. I do notice that people need to experiment more and ask themselves, How would I perform <insert function/action>?  I try and encourage all computer users to overcome their fear of technology.  Who cares if we destroy it?  Will it hurt our lives?  No, and as long as we learn from it then we become better people.

Next time you’re about to ask “the computer guy” to fix something, check and see if you’re able to do it yourself.  Make yourself proud!

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