Rob Alan

Finally! After weeks of waiting for subversion capabilities, my first very simple Wordpress plugin is up!

Nicholas Rougeux steps up to the plate for the great debate on design methods and reveals that he uses InDesign for mockups.

Without reading beyond ‘InDesign’ my first thought was that it was an absurd tool to use (I find InDesign to feel much clunkier than PS) but he goes on to make a very strong argument in its favor - in particular, the ability to create grids and control typography with CSS-like styling. I will definitely keep it in mind for my next project.

Every “creative” has been there in meetings with clients. A debate starts, probably out of miscommunication or lack of communication over a minute detail like the size of their logo on the latest mockup. That’s just the tip of the sometimes Titanic-crippling iceberg.

It can be very easy to simply become frustrated and do what the client wants instead of making it right by trying to convey that I may know what’s best in some of those situations (humble, I know). I wonder how many feuds over project details could be solved with guidelines up front, and an agreement between parties…

Matt over at 37signals just posted a great entry about working with clients and responsibility to step up to the plate and guide clients through the possibly tough process that is the underbelly of our industry. Some breakout points he makes:

• Instead of looking down at your clients, look for ways to convince, educate, and guide them.
• Start off by agreeing on your common goal: to create the best final product possible.
• Then steer them in what you think is the best direction. Take the initiative. Set expectations. Explain why you want to do it a new way. Tell them how you think the project should go.
• Will this approach lose you the job? If it does, maybe it’s a bad fit in the first place.
• Don’t assume ignorance.

Definitely take the time to read the full article. I would add one more - leave ego out of it. Just because  you know what might be right doesn’t mean you have all the experience or knowledge of the client’s field.

Even as a professed fanboy, I completely agree with Dan Lyons‘ recent posts about Steve Jobs and the Apple handling of Steve’s health and other PR issues.

They will have to change the way they handle situations like Steve’s health - and even more so, like the 3G/MobileMe launch - the latter of which is still not fixed. Instead of being transparent about the issue, they are playing catch-up with things like MobileMe Status.

The mass of post-PC Mac buyers will demand more accountability because they haven’t been worshipping at the Apple throne for years on end. And if Apple didn’t see that coming… Wow.

I have worked with Jenn over the past few years on multiple projects and had the pleasure of creating her latest artwork for her latest record, World of Wonder.

Due to popular demand (I saw someone mention it in a forum), here’s a blue iDisk icon. Enjoy!

iDisk Blue Icon

Apple really mucked up the launch of the iPhone 2.0 software and MobileMe. Whether by sheer volume or buggy software, service was spotty and the web interface for MobileMe is still causing problems for me - the calendar especially.

Appropriate, since Apple’s answer for calendaring has been lacking and broken from the beginning. Even now, features promised for iPhone 2.0 are mysteriously absent, probably due to the loose nature of the connections between iCal, MobileMe, and the iPhone. The most upsetting missing feature for us at the office right now: the ability to accept or decline meetings from the iPhone and the lack of calendar subscriptions support.

It’s completely strange that in all of the photos on their web site of the iPhone’s calendar interface, they show the “inbox” for invitations. I wondered if it might be an Exchange-specific feature, but it shows up everywhere, not just in the Exchange information. Hints of the functionality also show up in Settings under Mail, Contacts, Calendars. Flip to the bottom of the page and you’ll see a toggle for, “New Invitation Alerts.”

Another point of frustration for me is the inability for associating Mail accounts and iCal calendars. I can’t imagine that I’m the first person to think of this (genius as I may be), but doesn’t it seem logical that there would be an iCal preference for setting a Mail account for each of my calendars, so that the relationship is never overridden by Mail? If I create an event in my work calendar and invite people, I want that message to be sent by my work address. Duh.

I have no doubt that the MobileMe and iPhone teams are hard at work to resolve the issues… I mean, I hope so, considering iCal has been a jank calendaring app for years now…

Everybody seems to be up in arms over the makeover for Apple’s .Mac service. I can’t say I’m a huge fan of some of the MobileMe changes - and the bright pink icon for iDisk is one of them. Chris, one of my co-workers, asked me to create a black version - so I took 15 and created this shiny, slick replacement.

You’ll need the new icon file, and I enjoy LiteIcon from FreeMacSoft for icon management:

The New Icon: Black iDisk Icon

FreeMacSoft: www.freemacsoft.net/LiteIcon

Enjoy!

I’m back - Finally. Who knows if I will be able to finally keep the updates coming, but surely I’ll have something to say, you’ll have something to say, and we’ll work together. Yeah?

A little about myself - I’ve created the moniker “Muswrigraphesigrapher” because I always have my hand in one thing or another - music, the written word, graphic design, and photography. My aim is to create a space where I can show you what I’m working on as I wind the road that is life and work and hobby.

Pardon the impersonal theme for the moment - I hope to create something new soon.

Enjoy!

I recently had the privilege of writing the latest newsletter entry for SpinWeb:

When I was a youngster I absolutely loved reading books and watching movies with futuristic themes. It seemed so close to reality. I recall reading an article in Time introducing nano-technology, computers had become everyday tools, and advances were being made all around me. 2008 is half over and I’m still waiting for more advanced modes of transportation (flying car, anyone?).

So we’re not there yet, technologically - and after commuting for years now, the prospect of flying cars is simply absurd. But the thing that still boggles my mind, with all our advances and the pursuit of better, easier life, is the widespread aversion to good design.

There are many misconceptions or factors that contribute to the continuous proliferation of bad design:

Misconception: Good design is too expensive…

Truth: Good design can be more expensive, but your ROI can outweigh the cost by providing an aesthetically pleasing user experience, which leads to free word of mouth advertising for you!

Misconception: Good design would make me look elitist…

Truth: Looking good doesn’t have to be elitist. It’s all about the story you tell through your business. If you combine good design with a haughty attitude and poor customer service, of course you will be perceived as elitist.

Misconception: Good design, bad design… as long as it makes money, what’s the difference?

Truth: The difference is in the experience you’re making known. Of course if you’re making money it’s a good thing, but if you can make more money wouldn’t you take the opportunity? Good design can lead people to talk about your business; that typically means more money.

If you’re looking to grow your business; if you have a vision beyond the next year or even five years, you can’t afford bad design. From branding to identity materials (business cards, letterhead) and award-winning web site design - good design can dramatically improve your bottom line. Contact SpinWeb to learn more.

As a Media Designer at SpinWeb, Rob has worked in web, print, and identity design, as well as information architecture. In his spare time, Rob enjoys spending time with his wife, checking up on Apple products, and listening to and playing music. Contact Rob at rob@spinweb.net or 866.SPINWEB x1400.