Speak Up Archive: Role Reversal

hmmm.....

the graphic design equivalent of a label whore

;)

On Nov.21.2002 at 10:32 AM

label whore:

A label whore is someone who only wears brand name clothes, with the name of the brand usually placed somewhere for all to see. A walking advertisement for a clothing store or brand.

OUCH dude! :-(

Fine, I'll have WWFT do all my stuff. At least I'll be �berly trendy ; )

On Nov.21.2002 at 12:07 PM

>Fine, I'll have WWFT do all my stuff. At least I'll be �berly trendy ; )

that would be a labelwhore as well.

I guess my point is that if I was a "client" I would go for a smaller, not such high profile studio/designer, perfectly capable of delivering first rate quality work without having to pay for the "brand name" your choices imply.

I guess that misses the point of money not being an issue.

On Nov.21.2002 at 12:26 PM

if I wan't a designer, I wouldn't have a clue. that's how big name firms, like those you mentioned, get chosen by deep pocket corporations all the time. the end product is another quite acceptable, rather homogenous approach to the same old project. actually, I think I'm over-reacting a bit; I do tend to agree with Jose Luis, though.

if I was a designer (which I am), I would stubbornly, and painfully attempt to direct every possible aspect on my own. the end product would be the result of blood, sweat, and tears and wouldn't be anywhere near what I would have received from creative collaboration. fortunately, I think I learned my lesson just thinking about it!

On Nov.21.2002 at 12:59 PM

>I guess my point is that if I was a "client" I would go for a smaller, not such high profile studio/designer

Such as...

>without having to pay for the "brand name" your choices imply.

Not trying to pick a fight or anything. But I don't think there is anything wrong with that. If I had the money and the reason to go to these people I would do so without hesitation, because they are some of the best in the field.

If let's say... I had to choose between Chermayeff & Geismar and, I don't know... some other small firm, I would choose C & G 9 times out fo 10. But that's just me.

On Nov.21.2002 at 01:26 PM

If money doesn't matter, then I am going on the assumption that the grave doesn't either.

Logo - Michael Schwab

Promotional and merchandise materials - Charles S. Anderson Design Co.

Packaging - Duffy Design

Annual Report - Werner Design Werks

Catalog - Ladislav Sutnar

Employee Morale Posters - Lester Beall

Illustration - Doug Fraser, Schwab, Charles Schulze, Dr Suess

Photgraphy - Annie Leibovitz, Ansel Adams

Advertising - Templin Brink Design

Gift Certificates and Greeting Cards - Laurie deMartino

The Book about my success - Chip Kidd

Typeface - Charles S. Anderson (mine will be called Double Chocolate Chunk)

Creative Consultants - Speilburg, Seinfeld, Capra

Web - Armin

This was fun!

On Nov.21.2002 at 01:45 PM

If money doesn't matter, I don't think I'd be too worried about the marketing.

One thing I always thought would be a smart move for companies would be to hire an actual Graphic Design to hire graphic design firms. The same couild really be said for any vendor need...I just rarely see it happen.

On Nov.21.2002 at 01:53 PM

>Such as...

You named them, CHERMAYEFF & GEISMAR, MATTHEW CARTER, CAHAN & ASSOCIATES, SAMATAMASON, SECOND STORY.

>Not trying to pick a fight or anything.

Me neither,

never�. Just “speaking up”

>If I had the money and the reason to go to these people I would do so without hesitation, because they are some of the best in the field.

The best, I agree

I guess it comes down to personal preference, I believe that you never get as much value when you go for the “top shelf” stuff.

If I had lots of money to spend I rather get a talented and ambitious up-and-coming studio with something to proof and be their most important client than just another name in the long list of clients of a prestigious firm

On Nov.21.2002 at 01:55 PM

>>Such as... You named them...

I meant which small places would you choose.

>and be their most important client than just another name in the long list of clients of a prestigious firm

Remember. This is utopia, you would be their most, and only, important client. They would not only design for you, but have their junior designers run your errands.

>If money doesn't matter, I don't think I'd be too worried about the marketing.

True.

>Web - Armin

Aw, c'mon now! you're making me blush.

On Nov.21.2002 at 02:01 PM

I don't get it. Some of you would rather search out a small no-name design firm to do one of the most critical design projects to your fictional company? This with the logic that it's too trendy or "label whoring" to go with a big name firm that has obviously marketed themselves well within the industry. I think I would want a firm that A.) thinks highly enough of themselves to spend a lot of time marketing their services, B.)knows how to market themselves well in this environment, and C.) does excellent work.

Not to be inflammatory, but it seems a little ridiculous to call people a name whore because they want a firm with loads of experience doing great work that market themselves designing the most mission critical jobs for their business.

On Nov.21.2002 at 02:19 PM

thank you!

On Nov.21.2002 at 02:21 PM

>This with the logic that it's too trendy or "label whoring" to go with a big name firm

Read before you write pal, and I repeat

>The best, I agree

I guess it comes down to personal preference, I believe that you never get as much value when you go for the "top shelf" stuff.

If I had lots of money to spend I rather get a talented and ambitious up-and-coming studio with something to proof and be their most important client than just another name in the long list of clients of a prestigious firm.

we are talking about equal quality here.

>Not to be inflammatory, but it seems a little ridiculous to call people a name whore because...

Just quickly emphasizing my point, I hope nobody takes it personally plus Armin is a big boy that I'm sure doesn't need someone to come on his defense especially because he is not being personally attacked and since I'm sure he knows I love him

On Nov.21.2002 at 02:43 PM

>I hope nobody takes it personally plus Armin is a big boy that I'm sure doesn't need someone to come on his defense especially because he is not being personally attacked

Yeah, c'mon, this is getting too serious. I was never offended. This is all in good clean fun. Sometimes the way you write things come out sounding completely different than what you had in mind. I didn't take the 'whore' thing personally, it's just a saying. Plus, if Art Chantry can say 'corporate whore' we all can.

I'm a big boy, but I can always use the help ; )

>I'm sure he knows I love him

I know.

You donn't love me love me right? 'cause I'm happily married : O

On Nov.21.2002 at 02:51 PM

>You don't love me love me right? 'cause I'm happily married : O

its just that you look sooo cute on your bio pictures, just kidding....

anyway, just like to play devils advocate, what is the fun in agreeing on stuff.

On Nov.21.2002 at 02:59 PM

Carter for the text face, most definitely.

But Miles Newlyn for the titling fonts.

hhp

On Nov.21.2002 at 03:59 PM

brand vision and concept: partnership with thirst.

identity system: probably thirst as well, depending upon how well the initial thought goes.

proprietary typeface: decidedly chester.

annual report: none, i've seen the problems public companies go through.

site design: chris for user experience, (maybe brin, but he's prone to working slowly sometimes) probably armin for interface design.

motion identity: no clue. possibly digital kitchen.

general-marketing media placement, planning and advertising: probably deutsch.

On Nov.21.2002 at 04:09 PM

Not to be inflammatory, but it seems a little ridiculous to call people a name whore because they want a firm with loads of experience doing great work that market themselves designing the most mission critical jobs for their business.

Well, for every popular, expensive, succeful firm that does amazingly great work, there is a popular, expensive, succeful firm that does fairly bland work.

It's just like buying any brand name. Sometimes the brand name *does* provide better product, sometimes it's just for name dropping.

On Nov.21.2002 at 04:20 PM

Identity, design & collateral: Tolleson Design - one company to keep it consistent.

Web: Probably 37 Signals

On Nov.21.2002 at 06:12 PM

I guess my point is that if I was a "client" I would go for a smaller, not such high profile studio/designer, perfectly capable of delivering first rate quality work without having to pay for the "brand name" your choices imply.

You can always hire your best friend's-sister's-boyfriend to do it. ; )

On Nov.21.2002 at 06:16 PM

OK I'll stop bitching an moaning and I'll pick someone. It needs to be local to San Francisco 'cos I'd like to be able to drop in to take a peek once in a while.

I think that a mix of these would do just fine to satisfy all of my visual communication needs.

On Nov.22.2002 at 12:53 AM

>OK I'll stop bitching an moaning and I'll pick someone.

'Bout time!

>Pearson Branded

Jose Luis I think you weren't around for this discussion. Check it out.

>Templin Brink

Fine, fine choice.

>probably armin for interface design.

Ok, now I'm blushing. I'm working on a web site right now with a really cool navigation and interface, that I hope won't disappoint anybody. Simplicity is the key word. I will follow up on this by December 15 at the latest.

On Nov.22.2002 at 08:40 AM

I'm working on a web site right now with a really cool navigation and interface, that I hope won't disappoint anybody.

As long as 'cool' isn't trumping 'usable'. ;o)

On Nov.22.2002 at 11:40 AM

>As long as 'cool' isn't trumping 'usable'. ;o)

Oh! it's usable baby!

On Nov.22.2002 at 11:42 AM

>anyway, just like to play devils advocate, what is the fun in agreeing on stuff.

You have to agree, otherwise you will be banned ; )

You know I can actually ban certain IP addresses and deny them access to the site?

If I wanted to... so be careful Jose Luis...

On Nov.22.2002 at 11:49 AM

don't pull a Newstoday on me Armin!!!

punk.

On Nov.22.2002 at 12:10 PM

>>probably armin for interface design.

>>Web - Armin

>I'm working on a web site right now with a really cool navigation and interface, that I hope won't disappoint anybody.

As promised back then, here is the new site I've been working on all this time. My first all-flash site! Just went live today!

N'Site Solutions.

Side note: I did not design the logo, I just gave it some flashy spunk.

On Dec.05.2002 at 12:50 PM

Side note: I did not design the logo, I just gave it some flashy spunk.

That logo needs more of a spank. ;-)

I think the site is pretty nice, though. And less copy is almost always a good thing!

On Dec.05.2002 at 02:23 PM

nice navigation & overall design...but the intro is a bit lengthy, especially for folks on their second visit.

might want to add a 'skip into' button...even though I realize it is what builds the nav in...and of course I realize too that the site just launched.

On Dec.05.2002 at 07:03 PM

>nice navigation & overall design...but the intro is a bit lengthy

Thanks. Yea, it's a whole 5 seconds loooong. But you are right, 5 seconds of flash intro nowadays is like 7 dog years.

On Dec.06.2002 at 08:55 AM

sadly, it's the american way. we won't wait for anything anymore. the internet has just made things worse.

On Dec.06.2002 at 10:55 AM