Num Sum, my favorite spreadsheet tool, has a handy feature I’ve just discovered (it says new on their site, but it’s likely I’ve missed it for awhile: work on your online spreadsheets offline and upload the changes when connectivity returns. Sharp. Real sharp.7cdfa54061089a0ac4322c0e756d2d96->
Most who know me personally also know of my interest in and curiosity concerning cultural and business interfacing between China and America. Recently, two videos have been brought to my attention that deserve a look from anyone interested in perspectives on how some Chinese may feel about the situtation and possible future developments.
Ha Ha Ha America (thanks Josh, for the link)
Anticipation doesn’t make one late or keep one waiting—anticipation is looking around the bend in the road, literally like some car headlights do. It’s about thinking ahead and surmising, based on experience or intuition, what will happen next in the short- and long-term. It acknowledges you’re in a situation with others, actively thinking about what you’re building together.
Clients appreciate it when I anticipate their needs—to continue the car analogy, opening the door for them makes it easier for them to get in for the ride. Collaborators are more efficient when the materials they need to complete a job are prepared for them. It was the first real skill I learned—beyond Quark XPress 1.0—in my first real design job 18 years ago. As a matter of course, it’s difficult to plan everything in advance, but looking ahead is a greater skill than hindsight—you can always look back. History is always there, but opportunity begs to be created.
I’ve been working with and around Ruby On Rails web-applications for the past couple of years. My experience started as an early user of Basecamp which quickly sparked my enthusiasm and confidence in the platform. On that note, it’s been a delight to work, both collaborating with RoR developers for and as clients.
Jason Hoffman, a RoR developer, enthusiast, and co-founder of my favorite hosting provider, describes Ruby On Rails as “an opinionated framework for developing web applications.” Opinionated?
This has me thinking. What if we personified our software more? No, not that annoying dog (or paperclip) from office and not that avatar woman that would help you at SprintPCS. I mean, just a bit of flavor, some attitude, some evidence of human involvement. A funny, but clear, error message. Spoken language taking the priority over programming language. This is, in a sense what Apple does with its user experience. This is about a smaller scale. It’s close with some applications, take Delicious Library. The interface screams personality without sacrificing functionality or familiarity. It’d be lovely to see that extended in to the language.
God bless opinionated design.1a68ca239c144c04d12a7ea64f0743b9->
“An exclusive showing and sale of Wheat Wurtzburger’s photography this Thursday, March 23rd from 6:30-9:30 pm at 23. For additional booking information, please contact Overflow Productions.” Google map to 23 in Orlando, FL.
You can also check out Wheat’s work at his site (yep, we designed it).
We’ve been working with photographer Adam Krause on his identity and, most recently, a suite of promotional items. This week his first email promo was sent, and he was awarded a new project from the mailing within 30 minutes. Of course, his identity is designed to let the photographs sell themselves, so we can’t really take credit. Nice work, Adam!
This week, Metropolis magazine’s 25th Anniversary issue hits newsstands with a dizzying collection of reflections and projects.
Putting typography into a contemporary perspective, I’m quoted from an interview with Karrie Jacobs, along with the likes of Jonathan Hoefler, in her article “Type 1987” Revisited.
Update: Link now available.
The ability to admit fault, miscommunication, or misjudgement is an indication of high character and trustworthiness. It should be looked for in all collaborators.
I’m very pleased to see this quality holding strong, even as readership and demands grow, at Worldchanging, one of my highest recommendations and favorite sites.e84ddfe394fe81ca40d713054740173e->
As mentioned last week, we’ve found that small, thoughtful changes can have profound impact and positive influence. It seems that Gil Friend, environmental management consultant, feels the same. “It comes down to big pictures and small acts,” he says, referring to a maintained momentum for the sustainability movement in Sustainablility – At the Tipping Point?.0bd66e40093706490365837422afdd76->