Perez-Fox.com - Latest Comments

Re: Chinese Copycat Movie Posters

Emmataylor1992 — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 23:00:17 -0000

We can't underrate the value of inspiration from other designer's work, but I suppose when the design looks so familiar you can automatically pin it to the original, it really becomes 'borrowed.' I don't like to use the word 'theft', but I guess that's what I'm getting at.

I think it's also important to highlight that the Chinese 'knock-offs' aren't just borrowing from America...

Re: Has Apple Changed Their Logo?

charleighcassidy — Fri, 06 Apr 2012 04:41:41 -0000

I hope the running isn't too wild.
I am partial to a tasteful drop shadow. Admittedly, I had to do some research on the effect.
I am not 100% team drop shadow, but I don't think it would be too crazy.
I am all for clean, elegant layouts as mentioned above.

The chronological logo display is very nostolgic, nonetheless.

Re: Chinese Copycat Movie Posters

charleighcassidy — Fri, 06 Apr 2012 04:19:50 -0000

I think:
The stigma behind mainstream Hollywood movies in the Chinese culture makes the copycat production of the movie posters, dare I say it: a necessity.
It almost seems like the "tweaking," if you will, is to avoid selling out . As if the use of the American poster would be doing just that--selling out.
Here, we Chinesed this movie poster up so you can feel better about enjoying American cinema... because, it's not really copycatting if we put a little spin on it.
I should save my sarcasm, though, because I feel like journalists employ the same theory in the sense that when we produce a piece from data (interview, studies, etc.) we mix and match---paraphrase and reorganize and, in a sense, retool.

Nope.
Still different. And that's because we have a general plan for how fact and opinion should be presented.

OK. I think I get it.
Since China has the tendency to excell in the copycat culture technique, that must mean there's something about American cinema, in this case, worth copycatting. Thus, if the movie posters in China didn't majorily resemble the American versions it would negatively affect their popularity... Right?

I suppose it the Chinese were dazzled by their own culture, they'd stick to it.

But here, with this mimicry, it's like getting a serving of Amercian culture... without the calories!

So, you know, one can have as much as one desires without feeling guilty.

Re: Has Apple Changed Their Logo?

Jon Williams — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 15:12:28 -0000

The symbols outer form remains unchanged after almost 30 years. *That* is their logo. Perhaps the watercolor swash is just one of many treatments we'll be seeing through the window of the Apple symbol (similar to Aol's recent rebranding effort).

Re: Has Apple Changed Their Logo?

Peter Thomson — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 14:42:02 -0000

Well spotted. If it's a new logo that's very interesting, if it's a single use for a presentation then that's also interesting as well. The hallmark of apple design has been discipline, so I guess time will tell.

Re: In Which I Get a New Job

Jacob Cass — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 00:33:08 -0000

Good luck mate. Enjoy!

Re: In Which I Get a New Job

Leah H — Fri, 02 Mar 2012 10:12:42 -0000

Yay congratulations! Can't wait to hear all about your first week. I have an interview on Monday, maybe we'll get to celebrate together.

Re: Redesign Your Website, Day 6: The Modern Leaders in UI Design

James Wilson — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 13:37:32 -0000

I like how Obama's site darkens the non-hovered image links when hovering on one rather than starting dark and going light on the hovered one, if that makes any sense. Good points on checking these sites for there interactive details.

Re: Should Designers Use Themes and Templates or Build From Scratch?

Prescott Perez-Fox — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 15:10:04 -0000

Good points all around. I think, though, that you opened a new debate regarding client work, where I had framed it around personal/promotional sites for designers. I guess the same arguments apply — reinventing the wheel takes loads of time, but if you've got the skills, and more importantly, the budget, then go for it.

Re: Redesign Your Website in January, Day 3: Research

mkeefecom — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 14:35:56 -0000

Great series you're starting here. I think its the perfect time to rebuild or build something. Just as people are slimming down you can add to your web properties or start one. Good stuff Scott! One tip, tag the posts with a unique "redesign your site..." so people can follow along post January.

Re: Should Designers Use Themes and Templates or Build From Scratch?

mkeefecom — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 14:33:33 -0000

I prefer to build stuff from scratch when for a client. Who would want to see their brand replicated from some template pool? If its a personal project or low-budget gig I will transparently use a template but also warn the client some templates can be costly to update/manage.

As far as using specific technologies or libraries, thats a matter for the geeks to battle because at the end of the day a client doesn't care as long as their target demographic can view and interact with their site. Back in the day when I worked on a project for Chevrolet I remember trying to explain the tech we'd use and the executive responded "Doesn't matter to me, just make it work well".

In the end do great work, don't be ashamed to call for help and instead build a reliable talent pool. That way you can take on more work and expand your company beyond any tool or tech you personally know.

Re: Improve Your Design Appeal in 7 Steps

Sebastian — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 00:13:27 -0000

6.
Add a simple graphic element to your name to create something distinct.

Why?
Using your name is enought!
There's nothing more personal
why complicate it using an image?

Re: Come See Me at Creative Mornings This Friday

Kevin Huynh — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 15:53:57 -0000

Woohoo! See you there.

Re: The Freelance Lifestyle

Prescott Perez-Fox — Sun, 11 Dec 2011 11:24:24 -0000

Actually, I answered a post on HARO. Same way I was in the NY Times back in 2007. Unfortunately, it was pretty much the same subject matter.

Re: The Freelance Lifestyle

leahmhansen — Sun, 11 Dec 2011 09:23:45 -0000

Cool! How did you get hooked up with the BBC?

Re: Should Designers Use Themes and Templates or Build From Scratch?

Meredith Marsh — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 13:43:48 -0000

I saw the video on Facebook, btw, I just came here to comment.

But yes, I am honest with my clients as well when I have to team up with someone geekier than me (and they are shocked that some such person exists - I must be the geekiest person they know).

I agree there are probably people who pretend they made the whole freakin' thing. I have used pre-designed themes for client sites but it's all on the table - they know what I'm doing, and why (usually to save the client's money).

Re: Should Designers Use Themes and Templates or Build From Scratch?

Prescott Perez-Fox — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 13:35:31 -0000

I only posted this a few minutes ago, so don't be shocked there aren't any comments!

I agree, and when I do get a free minute, I'm going to customise a template and make it suitable for this site. It does most of the same things, but it's done much better than my clunky effort.

I think the trouble starts when designers start to sell themselves for someone else's work. I'm very honest with my clients that in matters of website design (and especially the development), I'll have to team up with someone geekier. However, not everyone is as honest as I am — they'll pretend they made the whole freakin' thing, essentially claiming credit for someone else's work and expertise.

Re: Should Designers Use Themes and Templates or Build From Scratch?

Meredith Marsh — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 13:19:30 -0000

Nobody commented on this? Ok I will. I think using a template in the case you described is an okay thing. There are a number of reasons.
1) Designers are their own worst clients, much of the time
2) Solopreneuers sometimes struggle to find time to put into their own "stuff" when they have paid work to complete and/or need to keep the flow of income, you know, in coming.
3) Do you clients/potential clients know the difference? Do they care? Those questions may or may not matter to you.

I say, it's fine, go for it - if you can take the template and make it "your own".

Re: My Reaction to Google Reader’s New Design

Prescott Perez-Fox — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 23:41:11 -0000

I like it too, but they didn't finish it. For example, the +1 ability is great, except it no longer has a keyboard shortcut. And for that matter, the keyboard shortcuts listing on the Help section wasn't updated. I've had problems exporting the +1'd items to my Google+ feed, and there's no longer a URL or RSS feed of my +1'd items. This is just the tip of the iceberg, it's a sign of general lack of attention.

I can't wait for Google to finish their redesign and tidy up some of these loose ends. Hopefully, with some feedback from those who "live test" it, we'll get the best of all worlds.

Re: My Reaction to Google Reader’s New Design

kenna — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 17:59:15 -0000

Google reader is the first thing I open, always open. I like the streamlined and minimalistic view plus +1ing = sharing. I don't know I like the new interface more than the previous one.

Re: My Reaction to Google Reader’s New Design

Prescott Perez-Fox — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 12:11:01 -0000

I don't disagree. It _looks_ good, but in my eyes, it no longer _works_ good. Matheus, how frequently do you use Reader? Are you like me where you check it multiple times per day for dozens of feeds?

Re: My Reaction to Google Reader’s New Design

Matheus Godoy — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 12:01:23 -0000

I think more cleaner and integrated with Google products

Re: Design for the 99%

MrsD — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 11:07:51 -0000

I'm thinking about getting one of each of the pins. It would be interesting to see how people react when I wear the 1% and how they react when I wear the 99%. Hmmmm.... should I change my outfits as well? Perhaps, to be a true experiment, I should wear my normal jeans, cotton shirt and wool vest with both pins. Record reactions. Then dress up a bit more and wear both pins again. See if the reactions are the same no matter what I wear. Or, if my outfit matches my pin - what happens? And when my outfit contradicts my pin, what happens?

Re: Design for the 99%

MrsD (aka: Lorelei Danilchick) — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 11:05:02 -0000

I love to see designers respond to current events. And to be honest, I don't care if their goal it to get some press or to further the cause. What I find interesting is the desire to communicate. Design is more than just the words. These designers have taken ideas and found provocative ways to express them. This makes people think. Ahhh, yes, that is what I love. Making people think.

Re: My Reaction to Google Reader’s New Design

Prescott Perez-Fox — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 09:36:06 -0000

Thanks, David. I want to start doing more videos, especially since the process was easier than I imagined. I'm still using a first-gen iSight camera which has some pretty crappy resolution by today's standard. But it'll get me through for a while.