Comments for brown blog

Comment on Objectifying The Subjective by Keith

Keith — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 22:34:13 +0000

Oh, I totally agree with you about documents, deliverables and diminishing returns. In an idea process you’d have no need of them.

Comment on Objectifying The Subjective by Matt Brown

Matt Brown — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 19:01:53 +0000

@Keith — Great point. There’s definitely a point at which you can’t continue to “hide behind process” and have to address the subjective tastes of your client. Just a few styleboards is usually all it takes.

Typically, we try not to spend all that much producing these documents because they have rapidly diminishing returns — they start a good conversation, but don’t solve the problem. Like most things with design, there’s never a silver bullet

Comment on Objectifying The Subjective by Tiffani Jones Brown

Tiffani Jones Brown — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 17:32:40 +0000

Keith: Yep. The idea that subjectivity might be insight, disguised—couldn’t have said it better. It’s like a good conversation—you have to let it proceed at least a little bit organically and naturally, or else it will feel rigid.

The tools Matt’s been using lately help lend some structure to the chaos of design conversations, but they also seem to produce better discussions, by getting “subjectivity” out in the open.

Thanks for your thoughts!

Comment on Objectifying The Subjective by Keith

Keith — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 17:11:47 +0000

I love the way Matt uses those styleboards and think things like that are a great way to add some context to subjectivity. And lets face it - you’ll never, ever, ever, EVER be able to completely remove subjectivity from the process of design. I don’t care how much data you’ve got.

And, IMHO, I don’t think you should. Sometimes what we think of as subjectivity is actually insight.

As much as we make fun of terms like “make it pop” and “crunchy” some times they really do make sense. Most experienced designers will either understand what is meant by those comment or have the sense to clarify. The real key here, as you talk about, is doing the research, adding some context and understanding your goals. When you have that and you’re client or co-worker or whomever says “make it pop a bit more” you will most likely know what they’re referring to.

Comment on Pressed by Tiffani Jones Brown

Tiffani Jones Brown — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 01:03:51 +0000

Tim + Thomas: What Matt said. We love working with you guys, too!

Comment on Pressed by Matt Brown

Matt Brown — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 23:42:36 +0000

@Tim + @Thomas — Thanks so much guys! Really glad to hear that everyone you’ve given them out to likes ‘em Very cool.

Comment on Pressed by Tim Aidlin

Tim Aidlin — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 23:00:00 +0000

Matt, everyone I hand a card to comments on it. They think it’s beautiful, readable, and remarkable in its tactile quality.

The only problem is I can only carry three at a time in my wallet as they’re so thick

These cards certainly make an “impression” (ha-ha. Get it, letterpress??) and I’m proud to hand them out.

Thanks for your great work.

Comment on Pressed by Design Informer

Design Informer — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 20:39:32 +0000

Hi Matt, thanks for the reply. That’s quite costly but I think it’s definitely worth it. Thanks for sharing the process!

Comment on Pressed by Matt Brown

Matt Brown — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 18:07:00 +0000

@Geof — HA - you noticed! There are still a bunch of little bugs I need to fix on it, but glad you like the new look. Just wanted the text to be more readable.

@ALL — Thanks for all the great comments. Glad you like the cards.

Comment on Pressed by Thomas Lewis

Thomas Lewis — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 17:54:30 +0000

Thanks again for the work you did on our business cards. Whenever I give one out, there is always a compliment on the craftmanship of the card.

As always, I enjoy working with you and Tiffani!