Comments on: Don’t try to be original. Just try to be good.

By: Don’t try to be original. Just try to be good. | It Goes Buzz

Don’t try to be original. Just try to be good. | It Goes Buzz — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 16:38:03 +0000

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By: David Airey

David Airey — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 13:56:08 +0000

Too true, Douglas, and nothing says “I can’t use Photoshop” like the imaginative addition of lens flare to a photograph—you know, to make it look, well, cool.

Josh, I can’t help you there unfortunately. The shape reminds me of Unilever’s U, by Miles Newlyn, but that’s just an unhelpful observation that I probably shouldn’t have mentioned.

Rajesh, Christopher, Tjeerd, Ian, thanks a lot for the comments, guys. I hope you’re all enjoying your Friday.

By: A conversation with Paul Rand | Logo Design Love

A conversation with Paul Rand | Logo Design Love — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 06:25:17 +0000

[...] “Don’t try to be original. Just try to be good.” [...]

By: Douglas Bonneville

Douglas Bonneville — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 15:37:28 +0000

We could create a parallel example of this statement and apply it to the “2.0 design pushers” from Christopher’s comment:

“Don’t play with filters, grunge backgrounds, art brushes, spray brushes, transparencies, sparkles, dots or swirls in a vain attempt to be original. Just focus on a good grid design structure or getting a competent drawing.”

Nothing says “I can’t draw” louder than a bunch of zany eye candy without a well-formed structure to hang off. If old school means naive, I’m all for being naive!

By: Ian Houghton

Ian Houghton — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 15:13:47 +0000

I think this is pertinent because design isn’t modern art. There’s a lot of creativity in it, but it’s not always about being revolutionary and pushing the boundaries of the discipline. A lot of people seem to confuse ‘design’ with ‘making something pretty’. I’ve been guilty of this in the past, and while I think aesthetics are a very important thing to consider while working, the primary consideration is, of course, conveying your message.

By: Josh

Josh — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 21:09:03 +0000

Anyone know the company of the logo shown at 3:03?

I have looked under paul-rand.com under the identity work, but it is no where to be found.

I was at Half Price Books yesterday and recall seeing the identity on the spines of books which means it must be a publisher.

I also thought maybe Imaginary Forces made a mistake and accidentally mistaken Paul Rand’s work with Chermayeff & Geismar’s work. I looked under Chermayeff & Geismar’s site and it is not filed under their identity portfolio either.

Thanks.

By: Christopher

Christopher — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 14:05:53 +0000

Simple and effective. Things have gotten so complex with the whole 2.0 push that designers really need to remember the grass roots. “Don’t try to be original. Just try to be good.” Let that resonate.
Great video!

By: Rajesh Pancholi

Rajesh Pancholi — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 10:22:42 +0000

We have to remind ourselves that we are communicators, so content is paramount. Often projects look so nice and there are some beautiful pieces of work out there, that we forget what the message is, what were/are we trying to say… Don’t just follow a trend but remember to communicate the message.

Of course there is room from time to time to take things further, its all good fun…

By: Tjeerd van Sas

Tjeerd van Sas — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 08:30:24 +0000

A good reminder at the start of the week. Then again, “good” is subjective.

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Mon, 07 Sep 2009 01:11:55 +0000

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