Hello, My Name is Aimee

This is my very first attempt at blogging. I have always wanted to blog. Or, at least, I thought I did. Then, the opportunity finally presents itself and I freeze. I’ll admit it: I’ve had blog intimidation. Am I creative enough? Interesting enough? Will anyone even read what I am writing? So, our first 615 Creative blog post came from David. It’s a very informed, intelligent diatribe on web “stuff” that I basically know nothing about. More intimidation. Especially for a girl who just wants to write about colour combinations and cupcakes. But, I tell myself (okay, and David told me too) - we need variety. It takes all different kinds of people to make a design group or....all kinds of "different" people, maybe. So, here goes nothing …or everything?

Last week, on 6/15, we had our launch party. It’s okay to pause right now and notice the cleverness of that date. Yes, it was deliberate. So, the lovely and talented Sarah Barlow basically let us turn her apartment upside down and – in a explosion of orange, white and silver accessories, furniture and food – create a party. One of the things we did at the party, by way of introducing ourselves to the world, was to write (non-fiction, of course) stories about ourselves. Since this is my introduction to blog world I thought it would be appropriate to share mine with you. Here is my “story” - and I’m stickin' to it.

“Hello, My name is Aimee. If I had a kingdom its flag would be seafoam green, tangerine and red...today. Tomorrow, it may be canary yellow, turquoise and grey. One of my first artistic expressions (a.k.a. a sign that I was truly a designer at heart) was when I began taking all of the books off my parent's bookshelves to create individual, uniquely decorated ''apartments" for all of my dolls. My current favorite dessert (because it changes as much as my favorite colors) is a cupcake from Ivey Cake. It's pink and it's strawberry and it's called "Big Dreams." I like that name. My favorite city is THE city, New York, and my favorite thing that I've done there (so far) was to walk across the Brooklyn Bridge. My favorite shape is a Lotus Blossom. I love creating atmospheres....especially celebratory ones. I've always wanted to travel from North Africa down to South Africa and visit as many countries on the way as possible!!”

THE END. Or, perhaps I should say, (as I wave goodbye to intimidation..) “Til next time.”

I Hate the "Web 2.0" Design Trend!

First, let me state that I know that Web 2.0 has nothing to do with design, but is more an ideology of communication, connectivity, and collaboration...unfortunately though, many people have confused the issue and have used the term to describe a certain overused and unoriginal design style...and it's that design style that I'm beginning to loathe.

I'm not exactly sure how this childish fixation started, but I'm going to blame Apple and Nintendo, two companies that I, more often than not, like.

Apples' contribution to this design debacle was the beautiful design of it's products followed by the embossing, gradient, and reflection effects in almost all of it's marketing and advertising. Take a brief stroll around their website, www.apple.com, and you'll see what I mean.

I don't hate this design...in fact, I really like it. My problem is that everyone who ever thought they were a designer, both professionals and high schoolers with cracked versions of Photoshop, started copying it because it's so nice. I have to admit, even I have designed a piece like it--two years ago.

Nintendo, in my opinion, added to this trend with the release of the Wii. My problem is not with the gaming system, but with the "bubbly" embossed design of the interface. And, I can't stand the look of the Mii's. I feel like I'm playing with old PlaySkool toys...everything is so circular and round...like Mr. Potato Head. The Mii's make me feel "wii-erd".

Anyway...enough ranting. What can we do? Well, first let's define the problem.

Problem:
Any design containing at least 3 of the following: drop shadow, embossing, reflection, gradients and endless use of rounded corners. I don't think that any of these individual elements are evil...it's the fact that there are so many designers copying this fad and it's really becoming ridiculous. If you look closely, you'll see the largest companies in the world starting to "Web 2.0" their logos, advertising, and web sites. Ugh...trust me, if you look for it, you'll see it.

I'm not sure what exactly the problem is...maybe creatives are becoming lazy--it's easier to recycle design, than to do something original...maybe clients are dictating design--"Oh, can you make the site look like Apple?"...and maybe it's a combination.

Solution:
I know it makes no sense to just hate. I'm not usually a hater and I recognize that I'm not the most creative designer on the planet, I'm just extremely tired of this cliched and overworked fad.

So, it's up to us. If like me, you strive to be a creative designer, then let's be CREATIVE and take back the design of the web.

~peace
david

RESOURCES:
To see a lot of the things I abhor here.
Learn how to be a design mimic here.

Bloggin' Baby...

This is a lame excuse for a first blog...but everyone starts somewhere, right?

~peace
david