I am the One.
I am the One that burns like a light in the sky.
But I am the One, I am the One.
We both know that I am the One.
Anatomy of a Design Process
While doing research on process for web and social media development, I came across this quote by Saul Bass (who is among many things, the creator of the AT&T logo and frequent collaborator with Alfred Hitchcock). When asked asked about his design process:
“The process of defining what it is that you wish to communicate inevitably defines the objectives of the design process. Then, the search is for imagery or form that will adequately- and, one hopes, interestingly- express this. Where one goes from this starting point can be unexpected and may not follow a totally rational methodology, but it is helpful to frame the problem in rational terms as a beginning point.”
The main point I took away was this: The objectives are your foundation. What do you want to accomplish? The process will change, and is inconsequential. In fact, attempting to apply a formal approach may even be harmful. Just like the creative nature of graphic design, the dynamic nature of web technologies may not allow for methodological or “tested” approaches to project management and implementation of web products.
Three Amazing Design Portfolios
Alberto Seveso
This portfolio has a unique style of his own. I have been following this port for years. Check out the music, and photos for bonus ear and eye candy.
Logan
I just discovered this portfolio, trying to figure out who had a hand in the design and animation on the new apple ads. Amazing motion portfolio.
Coldplay - Viva La Vida from swindlr on Vimeo.
SignalNoise
No, not the oh so serious blog of 37signals- the amazing portfolio of James White. I really dig the old 80s analog style graphics. Its definitely inspired me with my branding process for my upcoming “studio”.
The Death of Traditional Media: Three Thoughts
There is no cohesion to these thoughts, but here it goes:
1. Internet advertising is not the end all be all. A lot of local New Orleans businesses are picking up on the new media/ social media craze, by hiring new media savvy marketing and IT staff. Its amazing how marketing firms continue to blindly exploit internet advertising to sustain their businesses. This is unsurprising looking at the recession in the advertising industry general, as marketing firms are looking for ways to sustain and increase business. However if you look at the numbers from a TNS Media Intelligence report released two days ago, even Internet advertising took a big hit compared to the last QTR:
Not only did the internet lose half of the steam- but they still only account for a fraction of media buys. Is this ignorance from business at large, or is this just a symptom of the immaturity of the “technology”?
2. How can we predict the usage and adoption of digital and social media? Think about what they call the “internet generation- a 20 year old in 1995 (when the internet became prevalent) would now be 33 years old. Think forward another 10 years. Not only are we looking at an increase in education, maturity, and access around the internet- but also an influx of internet savvy youth, who will grow into their jobs, taking an “internet aware” approach to their work.
3. Print Will Never Die: The Internet in harmony with print. Arianna Huffington, with the HUFFINGTON POST uses this great analogy: “The shifting dynamic between the forces of print and online reminds me of Sarah Connor and the T-101 in The Terminator. At first, the visitor from the future (digital) seemed intent on killing Sarah (print). But as the relationship progressed, the Terminator became Sarah and her son’s one hope for salvation. Today, you can almost hear digital media (which for some reason has a thick Austrian accent) saying to print: “Come with me if you want to live!”
Social Media in Plain English
Awesome. So simple it makes me want some cookies and cream. The guys over at Common Craft are at it again- Social Media in Plain English:
Social Media in Plain English from leelefever on Vimeo.
I would say this explains a certain aspect of social media, but (pardon the pun) a digestible aspect.
Louisiana & Social Media: Facebook by the Numbers
With Facebook recently overtaking MySpace as the most prevalent social networking site, it is clear: Facebook is a channel to be heavily considered in any 15-24 communications campaign or youth community outreach based in the U.S.
What does this mean for Louisiana? Does this matter for a state in which region has the lowest internet penetration rates (Pew Internet Report here)? Six months ago, my co-worker and I put together Louisiana specific demographics for Facebook. I went ahead and updated them today. I thought it might be interesting to make a comparison to six month’s ago. Again, data is provided by Facebook (most accurate available):
Looking at this graph- the demographic spread across age groups looks very similar to national data (see here for more information on national/global data). Total Louisiana population on Facebook is 266,560 (wow, this is just one Social Media site). College aged users are still the heaviest bracket (No surprise here). However high school users slipped slightly in overall numbers (this goes against national trends). But what if we break out the 30+ age bracket, and take a closer look?
This is interesting, in the age 30+ brackets, nearly every age group doubled in LA user accounts on Facebook in the past 6 months.
Is this a national trend? We could be hitting a ceiling here, but the only way to know would be to continually monitor this trend. Logically, I would think that time increases adoption, but also ages the “internet savy” youth into the older brackets as well.
Outlook for Louisiana:
Right now: Marketers, community managers, and organizational directors are all beginning to look to Facebook as a means to communicate and tap into online communities and the 97 percent of youth that participate.
Soon: Look for a less “targeted” approach in social media and general marketing campaigns- as the variety of demographics spread on these social media websites, the marketers and technologists will have to consider the older 30+ demographics heavily. Louisiana based organizations will begin to adopt, channel, and consider Social Media tools such as Facebook as they feel more “keeping up with the Jones” pressure.
P.S. If anyone wants to run their own report, just use Facebook’s tool, and you can drill down into even more specific demographics.
Update- Damien added these excellent points:
“The trends are national it would seem, yet the misconception is that Facebook is just a way to reach teens and in betweens. Are they their largest Demo? Sure. Are they the most influntial? Perhaps not. More and more young professionals are drifting onto social media sites as a way to connect with other young professionals. Business networking, Graduate School Alumns, these are the late 20 somethings early thirty-somes that are quickly becoming the norm on Facebook and other sites…just look at Ning for another example. Blogs are another commonly misconceived demo, with more blog readers falling in the 34-54 demo than the 19-24 as conventional wisdom would hold.”
Social Entrepreneurs: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly.
This whole idea of social entrepreneurship has been floating around in my head for a while. Specifically, what does it mean? And should I consider myself such, or promote this label?
Introduction to Social Entrepreneurship
My first encounter with the term “Social Entrepreneurs” was probably at my work, a local public health non-profit. Over the past three years, the concepts of social justice, equality, health disparities and sensitivity to these and other cultural issues, have become a ingrained in my ethos. I am gratefully transformed since my migration to New Orleans and incorporation of its culture.
Social Justice is a Market Driver for Entrepreneurs:
However, as we all know, ignorance is bliss. With greater access to information and communication- I (and my generation) am becoming increasingly aware of current global issues and disparities, and how some are using those disparities to make a couple of dollars on the side. This reminds me of my biggest takeaway from attending SXSW Interactive08′ (A web developer/designer, etc convention). In case you are considering it next year- let me break down SXSW for you: SXSW is the sum of inspiring conversations, good information, late nights, relative connections, the well intentioned and…….(excuse my rant for a moment)……
A group of people who want to be either A. Internet Famous or B. Rich.
This isn’t a knock against SXSW- but I feel that this a core example at one of the problems with the concept “Social Entrepreneur”. Let me explain.
The Trough of Disillusionment
I remember sitting in a panel, entitled The Art of Speed: Conversations With Monster Makers - and this particularly well known Internet entrepreneur is listing various businesses he has sold for hundreds of millions of dollars. Part of my soul was desperately green with envy, and appreciative of this highly valued innovator and contributor to our society. The other half of me wanted to throw up. I was sitting in my chair, wanting to stand up and shout- are we chasing meaning or money? I mean, why can’t we make money to live on, while helping other people make a little too? Whether it be in our family, community, etc. Even in your local community. You don’t need to go all the way to China (even though, you can). I mean put our iPhone, gadget-consumed web design community and contrast it with the educational and capacity needs of others within your own community- I promise, you will find disparities.
So what is a Social Entrepreneur?
Definition: Someone who identifies a social problem and uses entrepreneurial principles to affect social change. (Try Wikipedia for a longer version).
That’s a lofty goal. Is this just a ploy to play on people’s conscience, or can someone hope to make essential change in society using business “tactics”? Okay, you can get people to buy Coke- can you get them to stop buying it using the same methods? Or do we need to employ a new set of tactics? Sure, the old tactics work. I’ve seen marketers sell the same sleazy methods to non profits that they sell to tobacco companies. In my mind, this approach doesn’t work. I’ve seen the the same approach in anti tobacco. If we are monitoring the “industry”, maybe its just a big distraction from the methods and tactics we should really be employing.
Let me offer you three scenarios-
The Ugly:
I just found out today, a local New Orleans firm who provides regional advertising and marketing for a huge fast food chain (think McDonalds big)- but at the same time, developing anti-obesity and healthy living social marketing strategies. Now, is this just me, or this a huge, quarter pound conflict of interest? I mean, will they be using the same burger selling expertise to make people stop eating them? Come on now.
The Bad:
So what IF we are using industry tactics? Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. Check this out: Vinny Chase and Branding
The point is- just because you flash a couple of logos on your power point presentation, and employ the same tactics, tools, and methods as the big boys- doesn’t mean youwill get the same results as the big boys. Any idea why? You don’t have the same amount of $$$$$$$ as the big boys. Also, maybe we are going after a different kind of change…..
The Good
Let’s re-think the way we approach social change. Let’s be humble. Maybe its a totally new approach to get someone to drink Kool-Aid than to quit drinking it. Maybe it’s not copying or monitoring methods or not relying on what “marketing” professionals are selling. Thats an easy way out. But, shouldn’t we develop our own internal non-biased capacities?
Should we just give up all together? Should we just revert back to our capitalistic and self centered ways? The survival of the fittest? Not so fast- there are people who are really trying to innovate- they are passionate, dedicated, and self-sacrificing. I work with people like this, I know people like this- reach out, and if the label of social entrepreneur helps your find these people- then keep on trucking. And I know: there is no perfect system. But don’t be easily fooled by the salesman who will tell you that, for X amount of dollars, you can effect Y change.
So what are your thoughts on “Social Entrepreneurs”? Are they a double agent for good- or a double screw over?
Open Source eCommerce:
Finally, a Decent Option
This post is a little different because it is spotlighting a specific open source project: Magento - an open source eCommerce platform.
Why is this Magento important? In the past, there have been few plausible options for PHP/open source developers in regards to eCommerce implementation. You had xCart, a decent, but closed commercial product. OsCommerce (and other various spin-offs), an open source product with slow progress and non existent web standards support. The life of an open source developer was frustrating, leaving the client a typically ugly, non standards, unusable eCommerce website. (Disclaimer, I have no affiliation with this project, beyond just being generally excited to see its inception.)
Enter Magento. It features a very functional/flexible design, utilizing CSS standards, and it also happens to be very attractive. Its a quantum leap in open source eCommerce options. This product looks nothing short of amazing- you should check it out.
Has anyone heard of Magento? Anyone familiar with their GPL license?
Get Ready, Set, Go
= More Deltree.
I’ve been doing some thinking and listening. I want to broaden the focus of this blog in an effort to cast a “wider net”. Thus, giving users insight into what the Deltree is all about. Not a change in direction. Just a broadening of focus.
And it’s not just about harnessing the web for social change. That’s the primary focus. It’s also about design, film, photography, user experiences, GIS, health care and other topics. It’s about providing fresh insight, unique resources, and a place of discussion. The Deltree is my “brand” on the web (and IRL).
Summary:
So look for some more “on the ground” topics, covering a broader scopes of areas of interest. With that, I am going to leave you with this awesome video:
COMPUTADORA “Hello World” from Bleepstreet Records on Vimeo.
Re-Thinking Consumption and Creation in a 2.0 World
Social Media is supposedly bringing with it an onset of generational content creators and participators. Are we sure about that?
It seems the mass, “old” media is recently concerned with the changes in how youth consume and create media. The stats are down on both sides. Teens read books less, and write poorly. But maybe part of the problem is the mass conception of what “creating” and “consuming” means. Organizations, businesses, and schools are not facilitating, guiding, or measuring Social Media consumption or creation. This is a problem. The advent of Web 2.0 and Social Media, has made it critical to incorporate the web and social media into organizational ethos.
Considering Social Media
Pew Internet and American Life recently released a report stating, “Teens write a lot, but they do not think of their emails, instant and text messages as writing. This disconnect matters because teens believe good writing is an essential skill for success…
So teens are creating, but is the significance of their creations decreasing? Another critical point Pew addresses is the difference between instructive and non-instructive creation. Instructive creation is when a teacher tells you to write an essay, or your boss tells you to create a two page brochure. Non instructive creation comes from your own initiative and vision. It is internally motivated. However, they found 92% of Teens write instructively vs 32% who write non-instructively. I would argue this is because of a lack of understanding on the part of schools on how to better facilitate and guiding Social Media creation and participation.
I would define create as “producing something through imaginative, or artistic effort. So, even a video remix on youtube, or putting a caption on a photo- can be considered creating. Leaders and policy makers need to get with the program and figure out how to guide these efforts.
Creating Vs Consuming in Social Media
So what is consuming? You know what I am talking about. YouTube, Blogs, Pictures, RSS Feeds, Wikipedia, Flickr, even Email. For some reason, humans are easily compelled to consume information than they are to create it. Why do we always want to revert back to mindlessly checking email or RSS readers? And creating? Blogging, commenting, sending a message on Facebook, posting a photo on Flickr, Tweeting, etc anything that produces something unique and of substance.
Finally- What is your Consumption to Creation Ratio?
One of the things I try to keep in context is my consuming vs creating ratio. I definitely consume information much more than I create it. So, how do we increase creative output? Take a look at your daily routine, how much of it is spent creating vs consuming? Are your creations a priority? Do they bring you enjoyment, or do they just move toward a goal that you have not re-evaluated in a long time?
You shouldn’t feel guilty for commenting a blog post. Go ahead. You are creating….
