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If you only have time for a couple of links today, don't miss the last post here: UnCollege: About self-directed, lifelong learning.
I'm not saying we should close the colleges. I'm not suggesting that some career paths don't require a formal education. I'm saying Dale Stephens has some important things to say to students about their education. A message that I believe applies particularly well to the field of design. His manifesto also includes an important reminder for established designers: That learning should be a lifelong pursuit.
Be well, Chuck
Check out my Adobe InDesign Ideabook: 315 template files in 19 different categories Everything from brochures, newsletters, and direct mail to packaging, calendars, and books (one CD works with both Mac and PC). Use two or three files and you'll pay for the entire book and disc...
The struggle between art and science and its effect on your career
Last week, on his Facebook page, Bob Bly (the copywriter's copywriter), pointed to a service that is developing technology that, "...Generates news stories, industry reports, headlines and more - at scale and without human authoring or editing." As they characterize it, they are working to "turn data into stories."
It's one more step in the struggle between art and science. Faster than we could ever hope of adapting to it, science marches forward attempting (with a fair amount of success) to automate all manner of human interaction, thought, and effort.
I wonder if the media will cover this or if the story will be written by its new competitor?
Here > Narrative Science...
Here > An article on the idea and the organization...
Here > This all folds into Seth Godin's seismic column last week, The forever recession (and the coming revolution...
Here > As implemented in the WSJ...
Here > My reply to Bob Bly's post on Facebook: Ironic - I'm working on an application that reads data-generated text and converts it to clean drinking water. Here is his website...
Discuss this topic here...
Goggle's ten principles of design
Much of the time the principles large companies use to develop and market their products does not translate well to small- and medium-sized concerns. The web is different. All websites have one significant thing in common - they all pursue a one-to-one relationship with the reader.
So it stands to reason that there is some value in understanding how successful websites make that connection. And there is no website that has more experience at it than Google. Here are their design principles.
Here > Ten principles that contribute to a Googley user experience...
Discuss this topic here...
Graphic designers, a friendly reminder: Beware homogenized thinking
All about "content marketing"
Do you know the terms "custom content," "content publishing," and "content marketing"? They all center around the idea of producing editorial-like content to promote brands in print and online.
A simple example is a magazine sponsored by a mobile device manufacturer that points to ways of using mobile devices to conduct business.
Following are some examples and resources (tip of the iceberg).
Here > The Custom Content Council (CCC): A professional organization that represents custom publishers...
Here > An issue of a magazine that highlights what is happening in the custom content and media industry - Content Magazine (published by the CCC)...
Here > The Content Marketing Institute and 10 Must-Have Templates for Content Marketers...
Discuss this topic here...
Design's next big thing?
Technology can be a little overwhelming sometimes. We're moving so fast, it's difficult to know which ideas to adopt and when to adopt them. Just when you settle on a content management system, for example, someone invents a new system that makes the one you just adopted looking kinda lame.
But it's inevitable. Hardware and software companies are like sharks, unless they keep moving forward, they drown - so they relentlessly invent and re-invent devices and tools in the hope that they'll maintain and grow their audience.
The good news is the creative options are ever expanding, the downside is it's almost a full time job separating the necessary and valuable from the gingerbread and hype. I love Adobe, in my lifetime they have played a major role in transforming my profession from a craft to a way of life.
I know it has become the industry way - but the Broadway show stuff makes me uneasy. I'm beginning to feel less like a partner and more like a member of the audience. Honestly, given the forces at work, I don't know that it is a problem that can be resolved, I just feel compelled to point to the obviousness of it.
You be the judge: Adobe's next big thing -- the creative cloud.
Here > Adobe Chief Technology Officer Kevin Lynch's keynote presentation at MAX 2011...
Here > The expressive web...
Discuss this topic here...
UnCollege: About self-directed, lifelong learning
Dale J. Stephens says, "A college degree is not a prerequisite for life," - it's a heck of a provocative, counter-culture statement.
Stephens is a twenty-something writer who started a movement in the form of a website: "UnCollege.org". His manifesto includes two primary points: First, that life and education can (and should) be mutually inclusive, and second, that you need to take responsibility for your own education.
I'm not saying we should close the colleges. I'm not suggesting that some career paths don't require a formal education. I'm saying Dale Stephens has some important things to say to students about their education. A message that I believe applies particularly well to the field of design. His manifesto also includes an important reminder for established designers: That learning should be a lifelong pursuit.
Many thanks to Bonnie Larner who pointed us to this important idea.
Here > The UnCollege Manifesto (be sure to download the 1.5MB PDF - it's well worth it)...
Here > The resources listed here provide a snapshot of the web as a learning institution...
Discuss this topic here... About this newsletter I try to remain as objective as possible about the information I share here. Unless I tell you otherwise, I receive no compensation from the organizations and people mentioned except for occasional product samples. Comments? Suggestions? Write me at [email protected] -- Chuck
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