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I am a large proponent of creating all designs, whether it be print or web, from my own code and image resources. However, I also have to be realistic with business deadlines becoming increasingly strained both in full-time office environments and the freelance world.
As a designer, is it right to purchase images or code to use in your own projects? After dealing with many different types of clients and designing a vast variety of projects, I have to say, “yes, but…”. And it is a very important “but”. If you are going to purchase code or stock resources, do so for the right reasons. Use the functionality that you need and then make it your own.
I’ve had some recent conversations specifically about Flashden. The site allows users to sell and buy stock flash, video, audio and font files. There are some extremely high-quality files and some not-quite-so-good files, but all are priced accordingly by Flashden. Have I ever downloaded anything from Flashden? Yes, I have, but…I also have made sure that I only use the code if it complements my own existing files and that I have left all credits to the coder intact. In no way, should these downloaded files replace your own work. Passing someone else’s work off as your own, even if you paid for it, is deceiving and is not representative of your personal work.
I liken the use of stock flash files to stock photography and Drupal/Dot Net Nuke modules, but the main difference is that while some stock photography and Drupal modules are allowed to be used as is, I highly recommend using your own design for the face of your flash projects. Your designs will only be better if you alter your photos or actionscript specifically for your project and put your personal design stamp on it.
Designers are encouraged to use all of their own code and image resources for their projects, but Flashden is a great resource for learning actionscript and for pleasing that one client that only wants it one way. I have found their forums and blog to be helpful at times as well. There is only one catch with using Flashden…you have to be honest about it.
So what is Hyper Island? It may not be a physical place, but the two-year university course in Sweden has created a fully interactive and creative learning environment for students focused in digital media and business management. It is one of the most credible schools for Digital Media, Interactive Art Direction and Business Management in Sweden and they’ve recently opened their doors to the English-speaking population.
Their students constantly prove why the program is so successful by winning the latest digital media competitions. I’m certainly interested in how developed the projects are and it is evident that the projects make an immediate impact on the community around them. For example, in the video below, a Digital Media student discusses her latest project - Arvika DJ Camp. Arvika Music Festival is one of the largest music festivals in Sweden and the students were asked to create an intensive, interactive site that is a great example of real-world experience.
Here is the DJ Camp site for you to experience first-hand.
This video is one of ten videos being streamed across multiple blogs as well as on Hyper Island’s blog. I recommend checking out the independent student blogs as well which utilizes Yahoo’s Pipes.
Hyper Island is now recruiting to their Diploma Programs for English speaking people. You can visit their homepage and blog for more information.
The AIGA design archives house some of the more extensive visual resources of graphic design history. I frequent them often and have found some great work in promotional design, motion graphics, package design, typographic design and more from the past. I will share what I find with you and post it under its respective title over the next couple weeks.
To begin, here are some brand and identity designs from the past few decades:
Imagination Incorporated, 1986
Douglas May Design
This Is My Card, business card, 1969
Larry Miller
Southern California Savings & Loan, 1980
Robert Miles Runyan & Assoc.
CHAQWA, 2006
Jason Schulte Design
Green City, business card, 1996
Sagmeister, Inc.
I am a very active supporter of minimalism because many times the simplest designs are the most successful. Which of the above do you feel is the most successful and why?
Another year has gone by and The Tribeca Film Festival has eluded me once again. I subject myself to a long week of music and films every year at the CMJ Music Marathon and Film Festival, but I am yet to see more than one film or go to a single panel at Tribeca in the three years that I’ve lived across the Hudson.
One particular panel that interested me this year was titled Beyond YouTube: Understanding the Opportunities for Short Film Today, which was mainly advice for short filmmakers who would like to make a career of it. The panel featured Linda Olszewski from Shorts International, Jen Chen from Ouat Media Distribution, Andy Marks from MATTER , Megan O’Neill from AtomFilms and legendary animator Bill Plympton. Luckily, for me, Tribeca posted a brief overview of the discussion that occurred at the panel on their website.
So, yes, I’ve made a short film and yes, I wanted instant feedback from the world, so I uploaded it to YouTube (and countless other video communities). I’ve gotten positive comments on my film and have been contacted numerous times by people looking to get a copy of my film, but not once did anyone offer to pay for it. According to Olszewski, I may have destroyed my chances at ever screening my film or making a single dime from my work. There is something to be said for wanting as many people to see and enjoy your film as possible as I did, but if you have any intention of making money from your film, YouTube is not the way to go. Let me clarify that. Putting your film up in its entirety on YouTube is not the way to go. I could compare and contrast what is happening in the music industry with the film industry, but I think I’ll save that for another time.
