Brian Timoney put it well the other day when he asserted that people don’t want good design, they want familiar design, which ranges from blah to horrible.
When a client, boss, or colleague can’t grasp the virtues of a map design that isn’t of a familiar variety, what is to be done? First of all, remember that there are people who appreciate good design and seek them out. Second, don’t give up on your design, major changes can only see the light of day if they are backed by a strong supporter. Third, remember the preemptive strike: always explain design decisions as you go and during the delivery of the first draft (don’t give them a chance to apply out-dated reasoning to your map).
If you are a client, boss, or colleague, what is the best way to avoid the hard feelings associated with design criticism? First, remember that every design is personal to the designer. Second, always express as much appreciation as you can truthfully muster (regarding meeting a deadline, working hard, design decisions you did like, etc.) Perhaps that’s just a U.S.-centric custom, I’m not sure how it is in other, more austere/formal cultures. But here, you can’t expect to get good work out of someone for whom you’ve shown no appreciation.
#1 by atanas entchev on December 21, 2011 - 1:44 pm
Quoting the late Steve Jobs from memory: “Customers don’t know what they want until we tell them.”
#2 by Parker Wittman on December 21, 2011 - 3:11 pm
Here here! Holding on to good design can be a real trick to those of us who work in industries with entrenched habits and histories. The line can be a fine one between “industry standards” and outdated, rote practices. The capacity to champion good design choices is a critical skill of a cartographer/information designer working with a group scientists and technicians. It can be difficult to break poor personal and institutional design habits. Of course, good design speaks for itself. Often all it takes is one fine example and the change tides of preference.
#3 by Parker Wittman on December 21, 2011 - 3:12 pm
edit: … “Often all it takes is one fine example *to* change tides of preference.”
#4 by Parker Wittman on December 21, 2011 - 3:15 pm
EESH. edit on the edit: … “Often all it takes is one fine example *to* change *the* tides of preference.”
#5 by Gretchen on December 21, 2011 - 3:57 pm
Atanas – thanks for the Jobs quote. Poignant and funny!
Parker – I do agree that sometimes good design speaks for itself. Also, sometimes we have to speak for it.