You stay classy, Microsoft

Microsoft is using an ad online featuring a woman projectile vomiting from seeing something in her significant other’s browsing history to market Internet Explorer 8. They’re promoting the new private browsing feature, hosted by TV’s former Superman, Dean Cain. Yep, it’s real. I wish I was kidding: http://mashable.com/2009/07/01/ie-vomiting/ Another example of Microsoft’s horrendously awful marketing lately. Apple uses Justin Long and John Hodgman. Fun and clever. Microsoft uses bullshit laptop buyers in a Best Buy going for cheap instead of quality, and now, projectile vomiting. Ironically, it’s how I feel... Read full article →

“Just make it look pretty”

I hear this a lot when others describe what designers do, and I think it would be wise for the design community to actively change the perception of the value that we offer. The context of that description makes design a “nice to have” option for businesses to consider, but also presents design as something that’s not critical to the sales, quality, and functionality of their product. It’s interesting that we have to struggle to justify our existence to many business people who don’t value what we offer, or refute... Read full article →