Write That Down

Social Media - Plugged in or tuned out?

There’s an irony in the ways we use social media. We’re a connected generation, but to what? Could a tool designed to bring us closer together actually be driving a line between our relationships? Have you ever stopped for a second to process how connected, or more appropriately, dependent we really are upon this feeling of being connected? How long has it been since your last tweet or text? How long has it been since you’ve checked Facebook only to see that nothing has really changed since the time before? What about blogs? Even archaic inventions like email are a daily facet of our existence.

But my question is are we really more connected? Sure, we’re more connected to what’s happening in our lives - what you had for dinner, who you’re following, what sports team you’re angry with this week, etc. It’s almost scary to think of how social media for some, has begun to replace real life.

I work in the Oak Park Mall, and I watched two young girls the other day walking side by side, heads down, plugged in and texting. They weren’t speaking or interacting with each other. Just co-existing. This was just a small glimpse into their lives, and rightly so could have been uncommon for them. But it begs the question, have we traded social media for real relationships? Or to tone it down a bit, is social media diluting those relationships? I think so.

Have a look at the comments sections on any popular website (try YouTube) and you will notice a complete disregard for grammar and spelling. That could be because 10 year olds are interacting. Or maybe it’s because I’m a writer and notice those things. Or maybe, just maybe our connectedness has allowed us to ignore things like - the English language. The number 4 should never replace the word “for”. And “U” should never replace “you”. For crying out loud, there IS a difference between you’re and your.

I don’t have to call you on your birthday anymore either, because I’ll just post it on your wall (which reminded me in the first place) along with the other 300 people you don’t speak with anymore. I don’t have to send a hand-written Thank You to business professionals because I can just send an email, or go for creeper points and message you on Facebook. A phone call and a hand-written Thank You are exponentially more meaningful than something transmitted over a social network. And since I believe social media constantly tempts us to manage our image, we become less authentic with each other and learn to simply co-exist. Instead of walking through life together and going beyond the surface, we’re just Facebook friends. Instead of investing the time necessary to forge a lasting friendship, we just follow each other and connect with an occasional @mention.

Don’t misunderstand me - social media is a revolutionary tool and offers entertainment and social interaction in a very convenient package. I’m just concerned for our social vitality. And the generations to come? How connected will they be? We were designed to live in community, and social media can maliciously feed the introvert in all of us. So go connect with someone, face to face.

How The Gap Is Screwing You Over

To Crowdsource in advertising means a company (The Gap) has decided to have a call for entries of sorts. They want a new logo (because their last new one sucked - see my previous post) and they have chosen not to hire a traditional agency to design the new logo. Instead they’ve used Facebook and other social media outlets asking their “fans”, or anyone really, to design them a new logo for the chance it may be used by their famous company. The “winning” individual stands to gain a lot of clout and attention for sure - but at what cost?

This sword is double-edged. From one perspective, Joe Blow the designer has a chance to gain much public appeal and get his work blasted all over an international brand. What an opportunity. The problem is that Joe Blow is… well, Joe Blow. He’s probably not a professional designer nor would he have any real grip on the amount of information required to successfully target an audience with said design. You’d think The Gap would see some warning flags here, but like most companies, all they tend to see is the beloved dollar sign. Joe Blow is free advertising for them - and from the looks of their failed logo, it shouldn’t take much effort to outdo the design.

How does this affect the industry? Well, first of all it slaps every professional designer in the face. The Gap (in this case) is basically saying your design skills aren’t worth their money, so they’re crowdsourcing. What about Johnny Hammer Sticks, the designer for ABC and Associates? He’s actually thinking of giving this thing a shot just for the added fame and challenge. Well Johnny, you’re proving The Gap’s point that they don’t have to pay for decent design which further affirms the idea that they’re in control of their own brand - which is dangerous. And soon you won’t need a job because every college grad who has a hacked version of Photoshop is designing logos for all the brands you used to design for - and creative advertising as we know it gets flushed. Thanks Johnny.

I’ll leave you with this blog post from Mule Design Studio based out of Cali. They drive the point home.

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Well done, Gap - bravo. Lesson(s) learned. http://bit.ly/9xvtvJ

Logo Backlash

Recently, The GAP announced the exodus of their beloved logo. It has been replaced with what appears to be Microsoft clipart, part of a re-branding effort. There has been much public outcry over the swap; so much that The Gap has chosen to do some backpedaling and crowdsource a suitable replacement.

But I’m not a designer, I’m a writer. A critical and creative thinker. Hence, my jealousy for such a genius idea. No, not the crowdsourcing. I’m talking about the Twitter accounts that popped up in defense of each logo. Genius. And comical.

Be sure to follow The Gap’s Old Logo here.

Don’t forget to share your critique of The Gap’s New Logo here.

And while you’re at it, follow me.

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I thought the Twitter accounts were genius, but this takes the cake. A proper response to The Gap’s call for crowdsourcing of their next logo. I agree 100 percent.

http://bit.ly/9NajqI