I have found my design philosophy subtly changing in the past year. I think it’s a good thing. I am listening to this radio spot (HT: Barry Blog) and have found myself agreeing whole-heartedly with what is being said.
So much of design today is based on, as one caller stated, “Design Ego." "It’s more about what the Designer is doing, not what the message should be.” Michael Bierut further explained this by stating this was a result of a “hunger for self-expression.” (This also may explain the annoying use of comic sans)
I am trying desperately to really zero in on communication in a way that is clever, intuitive and memorable. I think “over designing” is not just a taboo of the unskilled, who are using every photoshop filter there is and every “fancy” font they can find, but also of the skilled. The designer who is really aesthetically good and forgets what his trade is all about. I think we can end up cluttering the world more than we realize.
Take a listen to this radio clip. It will be influential even if your not a designer.
I would be interested in hearing your thoughts on this.
