Web Design

Jon
09.29.04 @ 05:04 PM CST
listening to: NPR - Der
feeling: I am dizzy and my stomach aches. Bugger off.

For a long time I have designed websites to present info in a very structured, logical way. I think that might not be the best way to do it now. I've been thinking. People don't understand. I can put together a very well reasoned structure. It can be either wide or deep, and people will still look at me and say "Dude. Where's my shit?"

The alternative, I suppose, is to have links to everything on every page. I don't like that though, and I'd still need some structure just to find my links in that big long list...so maybe that's no good either.

I think, instead, that I am searching for a more organic method of organizing the information in a site...or in a book...or in a building. Hmmm...I pile everything on my desk and then root through it once a month or so. I need a system like that...but one that everyone can get down with.

I'll add more later. I am either on the verge of a break-through, or a break-down.

Random Dave Cloud sighting...

Jon
09.28.04 @ 08:38 PM CST
listening to: TV. I don't know what's on.
feeling: Profoundly Tired...

So, there will be two posts today. One because, an old friend, Dave Cloud, posted a comment to my 'Blog...and another because I have a whole thing in my brain about the nature of web design. I think I've had it wrong for a while now. Or maybe just not right.

So anyway, Dave Cloud posts a comment to this blog, and either he didn't leave his e-mail address, or my 'blog isn't working. So, either way, Dave, e-mail me directly at Jon @ Sandruck.com

I love Apple, or something like that...

Jon
09.27.04 @ 10:34 PM CST
listening to: None. I am watching Monster House.
feeling: Pretty decent.

I spent the vast majority of my weekend upgrading my old (Dec 1997) G3 233 desktop to run Mac OS X 10.2.8.

Man. I love this OS. I need to spend some time getting everything running again, because it's a big difference, but man, I love this OS. I got a fancy new keyboard, and a fancy new mouse. I am going to egt a new video card, and some extra RAM to handle the video overhead...but man, I am so suprised at how snappy this OS is, even on my tired old G3. (Although, to be fair, I have upgraded it to a 500 Mhz G4.)

My Colorsync 20" display seems to be behaving slightly better as well...with minimal flicker and crap too...so maybe I won't get a new monitor for a while at any rate.

Anyway, I've been having a pretty decent couple of days, especially after I got OS X running.

Now I just have to get openOffice.org running, so I can do, like, productive things.

Hombre...

Jon
09.21.04 @ 11:04 PM CST
listening to: None. I am watching the Discovery channel.
feeling: Ummm...Nicotine deprived, hyper, and sleepy at the same time.

I am one bad hombre

So, what do you think of that?

Random Blog Link...

Jon
09.17.04 @ 11:26 AM CST
listening to: Weezer (blue Albumn)
feeling: Okay.

Angry John Sellers

Dig it. Funny. Here's a couple of samples:

WHY I'M ANGRY TODAY
On the subway platform at Penn Station, where I detrained in order to watch New York's own Rangers whup some sissy Florida team, I heard a woman tell her friend, "I love Ben Affleck."

WHY I'M ANGRY TODAY
As I was slicing up an apple this morning, three sizable chunks squirted off the plate and landed on my bare foot. Son of a bitch!

Funny, if you get it.

Jon
09.16.04 @ 11:24 AM CST
listening to: Eerie silence...
feeling: Fart

The Patron Saints of Graphic Design

It makes me wonder, who is the Patron Saint of designers? I'll look it up and put it below the jump.

What is Design?

Jon
09.16.04 @ 10:04 AM CST
listening to: NPR, again, still...
feeling: Ummm. Mood?

"Most people make the mistake of thinking design is what it looks like. People think it's this veneer - that the designers are handed this box and told, 'Make it look good!' That's not what we think design is. It's not just what it looks like and feels like. Design is how it works."

Steve Jobs, Apple CEO and Guy Who Gets It.

Everything "works" somehow. It's not about technology. How it works is the interface. Technology is Why it Works.

There's more after the jump...

God! I wish I could figure out what the fuck I am supposed to be doing!

Jon
09.15.04 @ 10:54 AM CST
listening to: Gonzo Marketing
feeling: I haven't had a cigarette in a week and a half. Deduce my mood.

God! I wish I knew.

When did I become a big wet, sloppy pussy? I've been looking at my portfolio. I suck. How does anyone's portfoli not suck though? How do we end up getting work, presumably on the merit of our creativity, when every client wrings the creativity and edge out of every single project we get produced?!?

Return to the lack of creativity...

Jon
09.14.04 @ 03:44 PM CST
listening to: None...NPR again
feeling: I can't tell. It feels wierd.

Occasionally I see things on the web that really resonate with me: this guy has the right idea.

I've been trying to remember when exactly I forgot that what made my work great in school was that I wasn't affraid to blow the doors off a project.

I haven't blown the doors off anything in a long long time. At the very best, the only advantage I have now is that I can visualize the organization and structure of very complex sets of information. Boy, ain't that sexy?

Mmmmm. Yummy dinner...

Jon
09.13.04 @ 08:19 AM CST
listening to: Reggie (Promotional Copy)
feeling: Pretty Good

Last night Jocelyn and I made a tasty dinner. She made broccolli and long-grain and wild rice and I made a dish which I am entitling "Chicken Cordon My Bleu Heaven".

What is Art?

Jon
09.08.04 @ 05:01 PM CST
listening to: NPR...
feeling: I still don't know.

What is Art?

What is Design?

Creativity...

Jon
09.08.04 @ 04:45 PM CST
listening to: None. NPR
feeling: I can't tell.

Among the many things I am spinning around in my head nowadays, is the lament that I have not created anything in some time. This has spawned a line of thought that is not new to me, but never seriously considered.

What is creativity? What is Art? What is Design? Are they indeed, different? When did I become a crotchedy old bastard?

Creativity is defined as the ability to create. It is not, as some may protest, the ability to adorn. Perhaps this is the root of my dissatisfaction with the current state of Graphic Design.

I'm not dead (yet)

Jon
09.03.04 @ 04:47 PM CST
listening to: Pinkerton
feeling: I'm not sure

Just so you know, I am not dead. I've been really "busy" lately.
We went to a Cowboys game last night. Like everything else in Texas, the stadium is attrocious. Huge, sprawling, and poorly organized. Also - I shouldn't have to pay $12 to walk two miles from the parking lot.

On a lighter note, I am trying to make friends the 21st century way! I joined friendster today. I already have a little buddy who has displayed interest in hanging out, playing guitar, and designing websites. So yeah, who says you have to leave your house to make new friends?

Clarke and Vidalina are in town this weekend (well, to be fair, Clarke is mostly in town...he lives here) it'll be cool to see them. They're the first really cool people I've met since moving down here.