Blog 6

As designers we are communicators and storytellers, as much as we are designers, if not more. In a global world we have to deal with language barriers, technological barriers and cultural barriers. We are still trying to jump the hurdle of slow internet connections, outdated technology that requires the designer to make accommodations to those within this realm. As designers we must ensure that we have the mastery of technical skills, as well as having an understanding of the needs of the business, organizations and individuals. We need to have an awareness of human behavior, an understanding of sociology, psychology, economics, physics, ergonomics, science and many other areas. Design requires acute perception and erudition. These are all limitations of design and good design requires many of these skills/knowledge to succeed.

Over the last few years we have really hit a ‘digital revolution’, with Youtube, Myspace, Facebook, iTunes, Blackberrys, twitter, Skype, Digg and the other forms of new media. Our current culture is based around fast information. We are no longer in a world where people sit and listen to the radio, have family dinners, and read the newspaper. Time is everything now, there is a demand for instant information that can be received and absorbed quickly, ie. Twitter, blackberrys, text messaging, iPhone, etc.

These forms of ‘new media’ have really changed the way design is approached. Much of design has become a template that gives the freedom to individuals to create their own content and share it with others, mostly via the networking sites. New media is pointing us in a direction where content rules over the appearance, that design can be simple and clean, but at the same time functional. We can see this in Myspace, Twitter, iPhones, Skype and Facebook to name a few.

I think the best example of this can be seen with Adobe products over the years, especially with the recent release of CS4. Designers have the ability to fully integrate their designs if it may be photograph, Flash animations, motion graphics, print, web, JavaScript, and the list goes on. Designers can storyboard an idea in Photoshop, pitch the idea to a client, take it from Photoshop, bring it to illustrator, Flash, After Effects, Fireworks, and Dreamweaver. The amalgamation of images and hand illustrations has recently and will continue to play a large role in design, as it offers for a simple, visually strong message.

The next big thing in design is re-branding. With today’s current economic climate and the current brands not being fully realized by the consumers. There is a need to create a discourse between the consumer and the brand. If you take a look at the Big 3 car companies there is this disconnect, this lack of understanding and communication with the consumer. Companies are becoming more efficient and greener in their attempt to drop the glitz and attract the consumer. The Big 3 are restructuring their entire company and are beginning to communicate to the consumer. Many companies are shifting their advertising methods, in order to get fresh and new ideas, by opting for freelancers rather than big agencies. As well as receive new ideas and a fresh perspective, companies are saving money by paying for freelance, instead of the higher cost design firms.

GM
Ford
GM
FORD