Why never to ask favors from designers.

[Heidi]

http://jezebel.com/5582562/clueless-secretary-makes-for-hilarious-office-email-thread

[distantearlywarning]

1. This made me laugh this morning. Thanks! n/t

[Heidi]

2. Several of my closest friends are designers.

And that email exchange is spot on! :rofl:

Mornin', distantearlywarning! :hi:

[RandomThoughts]

3. Did anyone else feel sorry for the lady with the missing cat while reading that?

seemed kinda mean.

[Heidi]

4. Yeah, of course, assuming it was real.

But I know enough graphic designers to understand that they're very often handed everyone's last-minute emergencies and asked to "just do it" or "make it look good" on a very short deadline. :hi:

ETA: I don't know many people who can't make a simple A4-size "lost cat" poster with MS Word. :shrug:

[PVnRT]

6. Meh

I know clueless people like that, who assume because you know how to make a poster, or install something on a computer, or whatever, that you are obligated to help them at all times. Had the designer said "Sorry, can't, I'm busy," I'm sure the secretary would have responded with some passive-aggressive bullshit about how much crap she puts up with at work and how no one really likes her.

[mikeytherat]

7. Yep. The designer is a dick.

Say you don't have time, or take two whole minutes and make a quick poster. Just don't be a cocksnack about the whole thing.

mikey_the_rat

[Richardo]

5. "The cat is lost in the negative space"

:rofl:

Graphic designers - I live with one. :hee:

"I don't come downstairs and tell you how to send text messages, log onto Facebook and look out of the window." :rofl:



:hi: Heidi!

[Heidi]

14. Hey, sailor!

If Ginger ever "turns up missing," I'll open MS word, type the text, insert a photo and print my own poster -- instead of imposing on and running up billable hours with folks who, even knowing The Wiley and Excellent Boy Cat Named Ginger personally--have a more pressing concerns than doing for me what I could easily do for myself. :hi:

[velvet]

8. Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Awww

That was hilarious, I laughed and laughed. Thank you.

Graphic design is a favourite hobby of mine. I'm currently doing a favour for a mate's band. Or I would be if they could make up their minds.

Here is a precis of the exchange so far :

MATE: "We've decided on a name, it's RythAddicTs, with the R, the A and the T in capitals like that so it says RAT. We want a pic of a 50s or 60s car and please do the name in chrome."

ME: "Okay. Are you sure there isn't an "m" in RythAddicTs?"

MATE: "No, there's no 'm'. I checked."

A few days later ...

MATE: "Oh wait! There is an 'm'. Sorry."

ME: "Okay. Here are three rough drafts. What do you think?"

MATE: "Some people think the cars make it look too rockabilly. We play proto-punk. Someone suggested a sports car from the 80s, maybe a Porsche."

ME: "Maybe you should get back to me when you've definitely decided what you want."

MATE: "Oh no, why don't you just do what you want and amaze us?"

ME: Silence. (I only know this band socially. I've never heard them play. How would I know what should be on their poster?)

A few days later ...

ME: (because I really enjoy designing posters and I just want to get on with it) "Okay. I have a few ideas. Have a look at these reference pics I collected. What do you think?"

MATE: "I like that one and that one. I'll talk to the others."

A few weeks later ...

MATE: "We changed the name to just RAT."

ME: "Okay. I'll check out some rat pics."

A week later ...

MATE: "Hi, at rehearsal yesterday we decided to call the band Beatroot."

ME: "Cool. Here's a rough draft. If you like the concept I'll add in more detail and try out some different fonts. What do you think?"

MATE: "You are amazing."

A week ago ...

MATE: "I was thinking it should be spelled Beatroute."

ME: "Okay."

MATE: "The singer's done a sketch of how it could look."

ME: "Is it based on the draft I sent you or something completely different?"

MATE: "Oh yes, it's the same as your draft only a bit different."

ME: "Okay. I look forward to seeing it."


I'm still looking forward to seeing it. But I doubt I ever will. They'll probably have a new name next week.

[Heidi]

9. Worst thing I ever heard said to designer:

"What do you want? A stakeholder map? Just WOW us."

The reason designers are perceived as being unreceptive to constructive criticism is that they very often arre just given a vague "vision" and the demand, "Just make it look good." And only after the project has gone to print does the complaint arise that the concept doesn't reflect the brand image. :geez:

[velvet]

19. LOL @ "stakeholder map"

In the wrong hands "just make him/her/it look good" can land your product on Photoshop Disasters.

I think I've reached that stage in life where I never want to "do it in chrome" again.

[bif]

10. Sounds like something right out of Spinal Tap

Musicians say the darndest things!

[Fleshdancer]

11. I'm in tears from laughing so hard!

:rofl:

Thanks for posting this, I'm sending it to everyone I know!

[Heidi]

12. I hope some of those people are designers!

:hi:

[Fleshdancer]

13. I am, which is probably why I laughed so hard

I would LOVE to work with this particular designer. His level of snark warms my heart.

[Heidi]

15. Mine, too.

Y'all are too often asked to do the impossible YESTERDAY. I'd get snarky, too.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

16. My dear Heidi!

This is hilarious!

And it starts off so simply, so innocently...

And then ........all hell breaks loose!

Thank you!

It actually made me lol!

:rofl:

[Heidi]

17. Good!

:hug:

:smooch:

[bif]

18. Reminds me of emails from an asshole

Very funny site:


http://www.dontevenreply.com/

[velvet]

20. "you seem to have been very offended by the price I have offered"

:rofl:

That is indeed a funny site. Thanks for the laughs.

[distantearlywarning]

21. OMG!

I can't believe I was laughing at that. I think I am a really bad person for laughing at the stuff on that site.

[IcyPeas]

22. Haven't laughed this hard in eons...

even re-reading it's still funny the second and third time.

[Auggie]

23. Next time, hire an Art Director

We listen

:)