On the track, racing with Technology

May 11, 2009 at 1:49 pm · Filed under Books & Design, Notes and tagged: Design, Technology

For the vast majority of designers the computer has become an inevitable tool. Its use, language, applications have consumed many of us to an extent to which it is impossible to practice without it. But there is also a desire by many to break out from its constraining limitations and off-the-shelf software and to slow down to a human proportion rather than the extraordinary speed it provides us with. The technology driven acceleration has increased the possibility of design obsolesce to the effect that what appears “cutting-edge” this year, wont next year. I have been through several Adobe products in the last 6 years; the Adobe CS, CS2, CS3 and now CS4; and several computers that handle the upgrade of these products, from a desktop PC, to two laptop PCs and now a Macbook Pro. Each year, there is a new tool, a new technique, a new style; and therefore a new budget for upgrade.

But what does this do in essence, to the designer? Keeping up the pace, and running with the technology is only inevitable. We are all constantly tripping over a new tool, or a new trend. Racing and tripping. But watch out for that race so that it doesn’t devour you. Before you know it, you will only think using Google, draw using Photoshop, and write using only those grubby and erased keys on your keyboard.

Dont forget the wisdom in the use of the hand, and the beauty of ink marks on paper… Technology will keep racing, you can be smart and take that short cut on the track and catch up with it. My biggest fear is to loose the control of the hand for anything more than what my Wacom pen requires.

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