Sunday, May 27, 2007

Why doesn't Microsoft get it?

OK, I can't take it any more. Doesn't Microsoft get it, what is up with their software?

What I mean is, why can't I export the email addresses from a category or group from Macintosh Entourage? It exports every email address ever used.

Why don't the filters work properly?

Why can't I add an intro to an email that I'm redirecting?

Why has it taken so long to create an Intel version of Entourage?

Are my expectations too high?

Saturday, May 26, 2007

Designer vs. Entrepreneur

A recent photo in a magazine had the titles of the individuals listed as "engineer" and "entrepreneur." But is that how they view themselves?

Being labeled as an entrepreneur is how someone else thinks of an individual (similar to branding: it's not what you think of your company, it's what others think of you.)

As a designer, has it occurred to you that you're en entrepreneur? There's so much buzz around the concept that it's easy to lose perspective on it.

"In the future, everyone will enjoy 15 minutes of entrepreneurship." Entrepreneurship will become a commodity, and we'll have to invent a new word for what it is we do.

A key similarity between designers and entrepreneurship is in how we think. Essentially, an entrepreneur identifies a problem and solves it, as do designers. Both are willing to challenge the status quo, affect change, take huge risks... we want to change the world.

If the future, I'll think of myself as a designer. But I'll continue to think like an entrepreneur.

How about you? Ready to change the world?

Wednesday, May 16, 2007

corporate identity: separated at birth

BSCO Design Matters can't be the first to have noticed the similarities between the at&t logo, and the New Citizens Bank logo:





Comments? It's not very imaginative, is it? Perhaps it's time to introduce a bell...

Saul Bass, are you watching?

Sunday, May 06, 2007

The Long View: Strategic planning for designers

When was the last time you thought 5 years out? 10 years?

If you haven't ever, or it's been a while, it's time to do so. Having nearly completed several major goals I set 6 months ago for Sooy + Co., it's been a challenge – but it's significant what was accomplished.

But what has me thinking this past couple of weeks is a quote from financial advisor Dave Ramsey:
"Buy things in that hurt in the short term, in order to win in the long term."
We are buying some things, (but more on that later, for now it's a secret). But making decisions that may be painful or challenging now (in your long-term planning and goal setting) will pay off in ways you may only understand later, when the benefits of your goal setting bear fruit. Base your short- and long-term decisions in the short term on your long-term planning, and you'll arrive at them sooner than you think. Simple wisdom, but easy to forget.

Don't get caught up in the short term. Think of the long view!