Archive for comic
There’s been a whole world of discussion as to whether graphic designers constitute “Rock Stars” and while my original intent was to let the comic speak for itself, I found I might actually have a tiny bit to say about the matter.
The world of people who listen to music is much, much larger than the world of people who know and appreciate graphic design. But mistaking the size of the available audience as the sole determining factor of fame to a fanbase is a failing argument. It isn’t the size of the group, it’s the size of their collective fervor (“collective” being the key word here. If I were the only megafan with a basement shrine dedicated to Drew Davies, instead of Donovan and I, well, that would just be creepy). If you have the capacity to get excited about something, and other people share that capacity and excitement, then you have enough right there to make rock stars. So, yes. Graphic Designers can be Rock Stars, but only to people in our comparatively small world.
I would call today’s comic the stunning conclusion, if in fact I were perfectly aware that most readers knew I was telling a cohesive story this week (the titles of each were renamed and numbered ex-post-facto). In fact, now that it has been completed, I would wholeheartedly recommend that you experience the entire trilogy from the beginning.
I was going to start writing a bit more about a book I’ve been sent, and have been subsequently reading, titled Do You Matter? by man-god Robert Brunner and mortal Stewart Emery. I’m not far enough through it to give a wholehearted analysis yet, though. On the initial take, however, I’d describe it as a book more for CEOs than midwestern-based, sole-proprietor graphic designers, though there’s simply a ton a of great information in there that isn’t hurting me to have access to. In some ways it is like a larger version of the Brand Gap, taken from a much wider perspective and written with effect to punch you in the face. More on that next week.
Lastly, I have to say, last night’s The Office gave my wife and I designer-fits when the following conversation took place between Pam and Jim, regarding her “art school:”
Jim — “Failing? I thought you were good at Flash?”
Pam — “I was good at Flash, but then we switched to Acrobat just when I was learning Quark!”
How does that conversation make sense!? WTF NBC? Number one, I don’t think Acrobat means what you think it means. Number two, nobody uses Quark for anything anymore. Number three, your random listing of design software ruined the show last night. For me and like, probably 20 other people. But those 20 people are all sooooo maaaaaad.
–nv–
Hidden motivations revealed at last? It was pointed out to me last night by a friend that it may not be inherently clear that today’s strip is Part Two of a Three Part Epic Saga. Part One can be viewed here, Part Three can be seen in this very space Friday morning.
For many professional designers, there is a visceral thrill that comes with a good batch of student portfolio reviews. In some corners of the world you might even think there to be a contest of some kind to see who can shatter the most dreams in a four-hour time block. I admit I have done my share of this — sometimes with a respectful yet hard dose of reality, other times with the strength and fire of an angry pagan god. The latter, it should be said, has only occurred when the ego or incredulity of the student in question breaks the boundaries of normal conversational pleasantness — i.e. when they are total jerks about how amazing their work is. In such cases I feel it is my duty to the Earth to bring their world back into balance. Today’s comic, it should be noted, seems to be about something more than balance, though…