Jan 03, 2006 06:22
Every once in a while you have to take a moment and reflect on "what do I do now?" Every year I look back at what I've done as far as this portfolio, and try to think of what I should do for the future. So, I wade through neck high, looking at all the previous designs and cringe (and in some cases pat myself on the back). Then, I start looking to the future. I start weeding around the net looking at what others have done or are doing. How can you do it differently? How can you add your own voice to the mass of seemingly random letters that everyone is punching out exponentially onto this infinity sized piece of paper?
Well first you start getting ideas and your mind and emotions run high as you jump through the dandelion fields of optimism. You start laying out the site. Oh it's going to be good - no better than good - great. Oh, wait no I can't do that someone else already did it, what if people think I'm copying them? Of course this mentality is kind of like being upset that you're wearing the same suit as someone else at the enagural ball (no one will notice). But, paranoia is a much better monster than that so you abandon the idea. Alright, you go with this new idea. Wait. Alright. No wait. Imagine being Luke Skywalker in the garbage smasher. The walls are closing in (only this time from all four sides), and the floor's getting higher while the ceiling is getting lower. Now, thanks to hours of redesigning colors, layout, contrast, content (rewriting the same sentence for the eighth time before finally deleting it completely) you decide to read on some "Modern Design Principles" from websites that probably haven't been updated since 2000. And, you get a conflict because all the sites you like don't fit within those principles. The box is getting tighter, and now you're being spoonfed information, which is making you bloated and the box even tighter. Then you read about "How to be seen and noticed on the internet," which is kind of like trying to stand out as a two-legged man, of medium build, brown hair, medium complexion, and brown eyes, in New York City. Tighter and tighter still. Your legs are starting to fall asleep and the effects of pins and needles is setting in as the monotone words stare you in the face, as writers attempt to add comedy which requires the timing of Jerry Lewis to a medium which has the delivery of an old stock-ticker. Now the internet recommendation patrol sets up speakers around the box which constantly repeat the same droanings - do it this way, not that way (tighter and tighter), never do this, always do this (tighter and tighter), don't use this, always use this. Tighter and tighter.
Then, at some point, you remember - The Beastie Boys (?!). When asked in an interview how they come up with the ideas for their music one of the guys said, something to the effect of, what I do is go out and buy all the albums on the top ten list. Then I try to do something different. At which point you break out of the glass-box that has been squeezing you. Then you aim at the speakers as you projectile vomit what has been fed you. And, design what you wanted to and hope people don't run in agony - and of course give you money. I mean it can't be worse than the other crap that's out there - right?