Comments for Nathaniel Salzman http://www.nathanielsalzman.com Happily riding my Vespa up the information super highway Thu, 04 Mar 2010 14:45:49 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 Comment on The red tile by Nathaniel Salzman http://www.nathanielsalzman.com/design/the-red-tile/comment-page-1/#comment-7431 Nathaniel Salzman Thu, 04 Mar 2010 14:45:49 +0000 http://www.nathanielsalzman.com/?p=1937#comment-7431 I know just what you mean. There are a lot of pieces in my portfolio that are shown not as they went to press or went live, but how I originally designed them — or even how I've redesigned them since. Collaboration is essential, but all too often a client will argue and insist on their own way with a professional designer in ways they'd never argue with their plumber or their pediatrician. This is, of course, endlessly frustrating only because we're actually trying to help. I think a lot of factors explain this behavior, but that at its core is a misconception that design is purely subjective and that designers are simply creating to their own tastes. There's so much more present in a professional designer's expertise than simply having preference for one style or another. There's formal education, personal learning, but more importantly the thousands of hours spent doing the work over the years. There are a lot of clients who get that, and I want to reward them when they show that respect. I know just what you mean. There are a lot of pieces in my portfolio that are shown not as they went to press or went live, but how I originally designed them — or even how I’ve redesigned them since. Collaboration is essential, but all too often a client will argue and insist on their own way with a professional designer in ways they’d never argue with their plumber or their pediatrician. This is, of course, endlessly frustrating only because we’re actually trying to help. I think a lot of factors explain this behavior, but that at its core is a misconception that design is purely subjective and that designers are simply creating to their own tastes. There’s so much more present in a professional designer’s expertise than simply having preference for one style or another. There’s formal education, personal learning, but more importantly the thousands of hours spent doing the work over the years. There are a lot of clients who get that, and I want to reward them when they show that respect.

]]> Comment on The red tile by Sam Mattson http://www.nathanielsalzman.com/design/the-red-tile/comment-page-1/#comment-7430 Sam Mattson Thu, 04 Mar 2010 14:25:02 +0000 http://www.nathanielsalzman.com/?p=1937#comment-7430 I think it's a great idea. It gives people a clue as to what a creative company or individual's real work is. I've been involved in so many projects that started out so great, and eventually became something completely different because of client involvement. Often times this turned out for the worse, yes, but in some cases it turned out better. But even if the project turned out better, this tile wouldn't be applied. If I'm an egomaniac because I signal to the world 'this is purely my work, and I'm proud of it', then consider me labeled! :) I think it’s a great idea. It gives people a clue as to what a creative company or individual’s real work is. I’ve been involved in so many projects that started out so great, and eventually became something completely different because of client involvement. Often times this turned out for the worse, yes, but in some cases it turned out better. But even if the project turned out better, this tile wouldn’t be applied.
If I’m an egomaniac because I signal to the world ‘this is purely my work, and I’m proud of it’, then consider me labeled! :)

]]> Comment on The red tile by Robert Ballard http://www.nathanielsalzman.com/design/the-red-tile/comment-page-1/#comment-7421 Robert Ballard Wed, 03 Mar 2010 22:56:32 +0000 http://www.nathanielsalzman.com/?p=1937#comment-7421 Aw, I understand. Aw, I understand.

]]> Comment on The red tile by Nathaniel Salzman http://www.nathanielsalzman.com/design/the-red-tile/comment-page-1/#comment-7418 Nathaniel Salzman Wed, 03 Mar 2010 19:12:33 +0000 http://www.nathanielsalzman.com/?p=1937#comment-7418 No offense taken. I wouldn't presume to "tag" a website I'd built for a client or anything like that. That's egotistical to say the least, and not what I'm talking about. What I will do from here out is go out of my way to express my appreciation when a client is great to work with. It's not about me, it's about how awesome they've been. It's about finding some way to reward that relationship, not putting my name on their project. In the mean time, it has inspired a signature graphic, but that's just for my stuff. No offense taken. I wouldn’t presume to “tag” a website I’d built for a client or anything like that. That’s egotistical to say the least, and not what I’m talking about. What I will do from here out is go out of my way to express my appreciation when a client is great to work with. It’s not about me, it’s about how awesome they’ve been. It’s about finding some way to reward that relationship, not putting my name on their project. In the mean time, it has inspired a signature graphic, but that’s just for my stuff.

]]> Comment on The red tile by Robert Ballard http://www.nathanielsalzman.com/design/the-red-tile/comment-page-1/#comment-7417 Robert Ballard Wed, 03 Mar 2010 18:48:00 +0000 http://www.nathanielsalzman.com/?p=1937#comment-7417 <p>Nathaniel, </p> <p>If you ever get a chance go to Palm Springs, California you will see the good, bad & ugly of "Ranch Style Homes". I really doubt that you can blame FLW for all the bad knock offs that fill our neighborhoods. </p> <p>Kinda like saying all the bad sports cars are Enzo's fault.</p> <p>The slightly slanted flat roofs, large sliding doors looking towards the back yard, open unobstructed open ceilings and family room/kitchen floor plans are quite appealing to me. As a matter of fact the I find that era of Frank's work more appealing than his earlier stuff. </p> <p>But to each his own, that's what is so great about art.</p> <p>Now as to "Client Fiddling" I don't totally agree with "doing the work regardless" theory. I always tell clients this... "I'm not an art service, if you want that go to Kinkos"</p> <p>I also don't believe in tagging of the work but if that's what floats your boat... then have at it. Once I'm paid that's all I need. I personally don't think many of us reach the FLW or Gehry or Saul Bass level.</p> <p>Hope my thoughts don't offend, RB Nathaniel,

If you ever get a chance go to Palm Springs, California you will see the good, bad & ugly of “Ranch Style Homes”. I really doubt that you can blame FLW for all the bad knock offs that fill our neighborhoods.

Kinda like saying all the bad sports cars are Enzo’s fault.

The slightly slanted flat roofs, large sliding doors looking towards the back yard, open unobstructed open ceilings and family room/kitchen floor plans are quite appealing to me. As a matter of fact the I find that era of Frank’s work more appealing than his earlier stuff.

But to each his own, that’s what is so great about art.

Now as to “Client Fiddling” I don’t totally agree with “doing the work regardless” theory. I always tell clients this… “I’m not an art service, if you want that go to Kinkos”

I also don’t believe in tagging of the work but if that’s what floats your boat… then have at it. Once I’m paid that’s all I need. I personally don’t think many of us reach the FLW or Gehry or Saul Bass level.

Hope my thoughts don’t offend, RB

]]> Comment on Lemonade by Nathaniel Salzman http://www.nathanielsalzman.com/best-of-the-web/lemonade/comment-page-1/#comment-7325 Nathaniel Salzman Thu, 18 Feb 2010 15:52:28 +0000 http://www.nathanielsalzman.com/?p=1888#comment-7325 <blockquote>BTW… My Grand daughter was in that surfing class.</blockquote> Oh wow. Surfing looks like so much fun. It's awesome that kids with CF are finding further health benefit there.

BTW… My Grand daughter was in that surfing class.

Oh wow. Surfing looks like so much fun. It’s awesome that kids with CF are finding further health benefit there.

]]> Comment on Lemonade by Nathaniel Salzman http://www.nathanielsalzman.com/best-of-the-web/lemonade/comment-page-1/#comment-7324 Nathaniel Salzman Thu, 18 Feb 2010 15:51:23 +0000 http://www.nathanielsalzman.com/?p=1888#comment-7324 I found another job in May of last year and have been here since then. Thanks for asking though! I found another job in May of last year and have been here since then. Thanks for asking though!

]]> Comment on Lemonade by Robert Ballard http://www.nathanielsalzman.com/best-of-the-web/lemonade/comment-page-1/#comment-7323 Robert Ballard Thu, 18 Feb 2010 15:51:15 +0000 http://www.nathanielsalzman.com/?p=1888#comment-7323 BTW... My Grand daughter was in that surfing class. BTW… My Grand daughter was in that surfing class.

]]> Comment on Lemonade by Robert Ballard http://www.nathanielsalzman.com/best-of-the-web/lemonade/comment-page-1/#comment-7322 Robert Ballard Thu, 18 Feb 2010 15:47:22 +0000 http://www.nathanielsalzman.com/?p=1888#comment-7322 While my iMac went south I was without RSS communications for about a week or more. I missed the lemonade post. Since AppleCare fixed my mac I have been busy reinstalling my OS and all my feeds, software, etceteras. Sorry to hear of your layoff. Employed yet? I loved my time in the design field, wouldn't have done anything else. I'm really bored with retirement and may seek design jobs as a contract designer. Good luck with the job search if you are still unemployed, it's tough out there and will be for sometime to come. While my iMac went south I was without RSS communications for about a week or more. I missed the lemonade post. Since AppleCare fixed my mac I have been busy reinstalling my OS and all my feeds, software, etceteras.

Sorry to hear of your layoff. Employed yet? I loved my time in the design field, wouldn’t have done anything else. I’m really bored with retirement and may seek design jobs as a contract designer.

Good luck with the job search if you are still unemployed, it’s tough out there and will be for sometime to come.

]]> Comment on Thanks for reading by Nathaniel Salzman http://www.nathanielsalzman.com/the-site-itself/thanks-for-reading/comment-page-1/#comment-7316 Nathaniel Salzman Thu, 18 Feb 2010 03:39:14 +0000 http://www.nathanielsalzman.com/?p=1927#comment-7316 Thanks RB! I appreciate your continued patronage. Thanks RB! I appreciate your continued patronage.

]]>