Comments on: Question Of The Week #7 Technology

By: rory

rory — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 07:46:51 +0000

I think its a big help working straight on a MAC, yeah an initial sketch is a good place to start but when your working straight to computer it eliminates the ‘doodle’ process and initial ideas bring to look finished much sooner. I’m a web designer so my finished result will always be on the computer maybe thats why I prefer to design that way.

By: Jim

Jim — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 22:17:55 +0000

Having worked in the industry prior to the Mac, I can say that technology has helped a LOT for me. I’m not much of a freehand artist, but I can work up a rough layout on the computer quite fast.

That being said, technology has also become a distraction – both in creativity and time.

I have also forced myself to sketch more often because I know that once I get on the computer, I’ll lose time tinkering around.

So in the end, technology for me has been a blessing, and an occasional curse.

By: awesomerobot

awesomerobot — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 20:38:13 +0000

It certainly helps. Ask any designer over 30 about mechanicals or take a look at digital printing. Look at anything we use in design, photography, research, etc. On a day-to-day basis design has changed more than many professions.

It can be a hindrance to the creative process though – you’re more apt to sketch awesome design rather than just straight-out produce it using software. Not that it can’t happen both ways, just that it’s often quicker and more productive to step away from tech when in the conceptual stages.

By: Ryan Lascano

Ryan Lascano — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 20:28:29 +0000

I think technology is a good thing if used responsibly. Too often it becomes a crutch to the design process, when it really should be just another tool to get the job done, and then only if appropriate. It shouldn’t take the place of concepting, sketching, writing, brainstorming, etc. Your creative should be able to stand on its own without being enabled by technology via fancy techniques, etc.

By: curtismchale

curtismchale — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 16:32:57 +0000

Technology helps me a lot really. I really can’t draw much at all. Wireframes I can do but nothing super complex. I do find the biggest thing that tech does is make me always accessible which is good and bad. Great if my wife needs to get in touch bad if clients call while I’m watching a movie on a friday night.

By: Shane Sponagle

Shane Sponagle — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 12:22:03 +0000

Good question. For initial idea brainstorming technology gets in the way…with hand drawn sketches we don’t focus on perfection. But once technology gets added we start looking for the perfect straight line or effect and that gets in the way of the creative flow. I prefer to hand sketch rough ideas first…then go to technology and making it ‘perfect’.