Comments on: Ooh… shiny! http://thesumofdavid.com/2008/11/05/ooh-shiny/ So many projects, so little time. Tue, 07 Feb 2012 09:58:07 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.2 By: Cynthia Closkey http://thesumofdavid.com/2008/11/05/ooh-shiny/#comment-1081 Cynthia Closkey Thu, 06 Nov 2008 01:22:54 +0000 http://thesumofdavid.com/2008/11/05/ooh-shiny/#comment-1081 Here's an approach that might work: Start out by pointing out something that's going right. Good color choice maybe, or nice sense of whimsy. Then point out just one area or element that seems fundamentally troubled -- maybe one that, if she could get it right, would improve the other areas. And then mention a resource like a book or website that would help her get back on the right path. For example, I often recommend Robin Williams's "Non-Designer's Design Book" (http://www.amazon.com/Non-Designers-Design-Book-3rd-Designers/dp/0321534042/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1225934254&sr=8-2), which has great examples and doesn't overwhelm. Definitely don't just fix all of it yourself for no money. But also don't give all the feedback you'd ordinarily give -- not because you'll overwhelm her, but because she won't be able to absorb it all at once, and she'll instead feel confused and then maybe upset that you aren't supporting her creativity. Just my two cents -- maybe just one part of this plan will be enough to help you feel like you've been true to yourself and your profession, but also have been helpful as a friend. Here’s an approach that might work:

Start out by pointing out something that’s going right. Good color choice maybe, or nice sense of whimsy.

Then point out just one area or element that seems fundamentally troubled — maybe one that, if she could get it right, would improve the other areas.

And then mention a resource like a book or website that would help her get back on the right path. For example, I often recommend Robin Williams’s “Non-Designer’s Design Book” (http://www.amazon.com/Non-Designers-Design-Book-3rd-Designers/dp/0321534042/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1225934254&sr=8-2), which has great examples and doesn’t overwhelm.

Definitely don’t just fix all of it yourself for no money. But also don’t give all the feedback you’d ordinarily give — not because you’ll overwhelm her, but because she won’t be able to absorb it all at once, and she’ll instead feel confused and then maybe upset that you aren’t supporting her creativity.

Just my two cents — maybe just one part of this plan will be enough to help you feel like you’ve been true to yourself and your profession, but also have been helpful as a friend.

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