Comments on: Aspirations, mistakes, advice and death

By: Lisa

Lisa — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 22:02:07 +0000

“Hey, Eric… Do you think that smashLAB would be interested in working on the new site for the MoMA?”

Yeah buddy... forget it. That one's mine! :)

By: Bob

Bob — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 00:07:39 +0000

"Design isn’t a terribly 'original' practice. We’re all working to communicate with others, and as such we use icons, symbols and treatments that are commonly accepted. The aim here isn’t necessarily to be unique; rather, we want to effectively reach the audience."

I mostly agree. In pretty much any craft or art, originality tends to be pretty highly overrated. If you're doing "fine art" or whatever, it's never really the "what," it's the "how." If you're at most of a pragmatic, commercial level, it's mainly just a matter of keeping things simple and clear (easier said than done!) and avoiding actual copyright infringement!

By: Stephen Tiano

Stephen Tiano — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 04:32:20 +0000

Interesting to read pieces like this now and again. Reminds me that most designers haven't taken the circuitous path that I have in getting there.

By: Doreen

Doreen — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 18:07:33 +0000

Eric ... nice post, esp. to hear about Mark's Fill/Stroke ... i especially like the nugget about "I just have to ask more of the right questions" -- that's a pearl!

...Doreen

By: fill/stroke.com

fill/stroke.com — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 15:48:27 +0000

[...] Go check it out! [...]

By: Chris

Chris — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 15:47:08 +0000

Eric,

My favorite bit from this interview was:

"No tombstone; no decorations; no fluff. I’d urge them to just burn the body and have everyone get on with things."

Couldn't have said it better myself!

Chris