Steve Jobs

Count me among the multitudes whose life was impacted by Steve Jobs. As I sit here writing this, I am surrounded by three Mac desktops, two Mac laptops, four iPods, two iPhones and two iPads. (Along with two Windows machines and one Windows laptop.) What I do for a living means that I have to spend a lot of time on the computer, whether it be my work as a designer or as a photographer, and most of that time is spent on a Mac.

It took about 24 hours for the detractors to start appearing, talking about how little Steve Jobs did and that he is over-rated and that it is just "Apple Fanboys" that are praising him. Sad to see, actually. Both he and Bill Gates helped to change our everyday life in ways that we really are still coming to grips with today--and probably won't understand for many more years.

Steve Jobs was an innovator. He was able to take ideas and see them brought to life. See them turned into modern creations that were more than simple objects. He didn't invent the MP3 player, the computer tablet or the personal computer, but he did help make them better. He had a vision of turning personal computing into a more streamlined concept, accessible by anyone.

And his vision had impact. Look at the way that we live today. People don't generally refer to MP3 players or smart phones or computer tablets, but rather as iPads or iPhones or--most predominantly by far--iPods. And the Mac OS influenced the way a personal computer interface is viewed. It created a graphically pleasing design that was echoed quickly by others. Is it a better system? Well, that is a debate that has been running for a long time. To me, both Mac and Windows are equal, it just depends on what you prefer. And what you are used to using.

Steve Jobs didn't influence me, he influenced everyone. The world is a different place because of him. And today it is a different place because he is no longer with us.

RIP Steve. And thank you. 

So...Having "The Conversation"

The customer is not always right.

That's something that some find hard to accept, given the popularity of that old axiom, but it's the truth. I prefer the phrase, "the customer is always to be respected." That allows a lot more latitude and potential for growth in your relationship with the customer--or in this case, the client.

When you are hired by a client, you are contracting to provide a service--or good, given the case--to the best of your ability. It isn't your job to give them what they want, it's your job to give them more than they expected. And in some cases, that means telling them that they are wanting the wrong thing. You are the expert, trained in your area, and it is you who should be guiding the job to the best possible outcome.

Recently I had that exact experience. A customer asked me to design a logo and branding for his new company, and after having an extensive conversation with him about the company and it's purpose, I went off and worked on some sketches, sending them to him. He responded with a sketch of what he thought the logo should look like--and it was bad design. As the expert he hired for the job, it was my duty to tell him why his design was a bad idea. It had no sense of branding. It had no design flow. There was nothing memorable about it. I was respectful, and told him that he had the ultimate call, and if he wanted me to create the logo that he designed I would, but I recommended against it and told him why.

He was grateful and thanked me. It convinced him that he made the right choice in hiring me because I wasn't afraid to tell him that sort of thing. That I could explain why to do some things, and not to do others. I didn't attack him, I simply guided him to the right place.

It's not easy to have that sort of conversation with a client. It's much easier to nod and tell them that you'll do exactly what they want. But that's not the right thing to do. As a creative talent, you aren't only supposed to be good with a program, you are supposed to be good with your craft, and in the case of a freelancer, that means the craft of communication as well.

So...hey

Anything been happening in the past 2+ years?

Yeah, not much for me, either. Well, that's not entirely true. I've moved out of the comics industry and into the photography/graphic design biz. Not as big a jump as you might think, considering that I was doing both of those things while still working in comics. But I've kicked it up a gear and been working on my skill set. Moving from film to digital with the camera (a move I absolutely LOVE, btw). Learning web design and mobile platform graphics. Trying to find a place to put all of this knowledge to use.

And to that end, I've revamped Pandahead. You see the link to the website next to this blog. Check it out, and let me know what you think. In the coming days I'll have my photography site up as well. (It's designed, just need to implement.)

Oh, and I'm living in Woodstock now. Sharing a place with good friend Bobby Politte, who was kind enough to open his doors to me, my wife and our three cats.

So, anyway, just wanted to touch base. I'll be posting here more often. Sharing ideas and thoughts. Work and frustration. Whatever is best for the day and time.

And check back, I promise not to be gone so long next time.