Focus on reader comments #6
With 17,116 comments on 452 blog posts, it’s good to step back from time-to-time and republish what you’re saying. Here’s another quick round of reader comments.
Ewan of edu.blogs.com, on The myth of constructive criticism?
“In education, we use the analogy of “two stars and a wish” – tell me two things you like about what you’ve seen and the one thing that would make an immediate, important improvement.
“Often on a second draft looking at just one piece of work needing retouched, you’ll hit on several others yourself, without the need for a client (or teacher) to come out with masses of red ink.”
— EWAN MCINTOSH
Rob, on The “I Love New York” logo:
“One of the reasons this logo has lasted so long and remained as popular as it has, is that the New York tourism board had the good sense not to change it, add things, make it look “more contemporary” etc. How many logos don’t change AT ALL in 30 years? Someone in this thread mentioned Paul Rand’s brilliant UPS logo… which the company has recently thrown in the trash and replaced with a generic, meaningless shield/gradient/bevel-thing that looks like the “Raid” insecticide package.
“It’s not all up to the designers… a great design results from a collaboration with clients who are not idiots. Which seems to be more and more rare.”
— ROB
Lee of Designed by Good People, on What makes a good logo?
“Do not use free fonts.
“You can’t use them commercially. They are for private use only (most of the time). This means you can’t use them for a client, paid or otherwise, which renders them useless.
“They are a pain and often don’t work or are corrupt.”
— LEE NEWHAM
Duane of Logobird, on Self-employment advice for designers:
“Not only will you make mistakes, making mistakes (and learning from them) early on is absolutely vital to your growth and potential for future success.”
— DUANE KINSEY
Mark of Mark McCorkell, on Improve your portfolio with pro bono design:
“When I was in my final year [of formal education] I wanted to learn a bit more about the print process so I managed to get a job in a local printers. I was in there a day or two a week helping out, and was getting paid, with some really good perks for coursework printing too, as you can imagine. Even If I wasn’t getting paid though, I reckon I would have at least put in some time there to learn the stuff you don’t get taught in class.
“Most students aren’t aware of opportunities that are out there for them, but if you look hard enough there are always some options to better yourself – you just need to have that spark and itch to want to work.”
— MARK MCCORKELL
Thanks for the continued chat. It helps keep me motivated.
Microphone photo credit.
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9 appreciated comments on “Focus on reader comments #6”
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Thanks for the mention there, David! It was a pleasant surprise to see my logo popping up in your article, and even better reading that you really do value our comments! The combination of your quality articles, and your responses to comments is what keeps the readers coming back! :-D
No probs at all, Mark. It’s been great to have you visiting/commenting these past six months.
Hey David, Thanks for the mention!
No rest for the wicked I see. You are not taking more time off for a honeymoon? Cheers mate:)
Great comments all of these! Really liked Ewan Mcintosh’s analogy of “two stars and a wish”.
We can’t decide where to go, Duane. Maximum flight time = 7/8 hours (preferably). Not sure about a city/twin-city break, or relaxing on a calm beach with cocktails. We’ll do something soon, though. Definitely.
David,
I’ve been reading your post for a while now and I thought this is the time to post a comment. To focus on reader comments is invaluable imho. Appreciating those who are reading your posts and adding comments to it, make the post more valuable to other readers. (I’m from the Netherlands, so please forgive my bad English writing).
For one, I’ll continue reading your posts for their value to the community!
How about New York? Not sure if you have been there, but that would be my first choice. I am not much of a beach person…
Alternatively, if you could put up with the long haul flight, I would recommend that you come down to Australia for a visit ;)
I appreciate that, Gerben.
Duane, New York’s a possibility. I was there a couple of times back in the summer of 2001 (before and after 9/11, either side of an internship in Pittsburgh), but Cat’s never been, and wants to visit. As for Oz, we’ll be away for a week, give or take, so can’t justify 48 hours on a plane. First class, perhaps.
Yes, thanks David…This is particularly relevant:
“It’s not all up to the designers… a great design results from a collaboration with clients who are not idiots. Which seems to be more and more rare.”
Design is a collaboration. It’s not just designers telling a client what to do. They know their business more than we will ever do. As long as they realizie vice-versa!
We have to prove to them what we have done is right and work WITH them. The client/designer relationship is often undervalued on BOTH sides.