Think Regional, Act Annual: at Design Observer

An interesting, if not a little self-serving article, by Lorraine Wild at Design Observer. She has some strong opinions about the state of design in America (not the States of Design that the Print Regional Design Annual uses for segmentation). She takes many shots at both the magazine and the design work presented inside. You should read the article and possibly comment. I am not sure what my comment would be though. I find it difficult to look a other folks work and just dismiss it as 'flat' or 'mediocre'. Having worked in this field for many years, I know how many other influences can be involved in the end product. I find it also difficult to criticize people who pose themselves as arbiters, as they have already defined themselves as above the fray, not embroiled in it.

I have always found the PRDA an interesting and fun publication to peruse during the rare moments of inactivity that I enjoy. The idea of design being regional is, Iguess, one of those little things that Print does to distinguish itself from other types of annuals.

That said, I think the idea of design having something to do with region has long been a moot point. I also don't buy the idea that design can be divided by ethnicity or gender or age... and we see that crap all too often.

Great design is simply great design. Design that satisfies the client, gets the job done and proves to be a positive asset in the clients marketing arsenal is good, solid design.

Personally, I try not to engage in looking down at any one elses work. I stay focused on what is positive. But, hey, that's just me and what I do... ya know.

Design Observer: writings about design & culture: Think Regional, Act Annual: "Today, designers and their clients identify themselves by engaging in practices that are framed by “regional” issues, yet their business is often directed, ultimately, at bigger audiences; the success of those regional designers depends on their ability to visually communicate on a national or even international level. It may be, too, that the designers or agencies who enter competitions like the Print 'Regional Annual' are already within a subset of designers deeply invested in working at the national/global level. Or maybe that’s just the work that Print’s in-house team responds to, since it’s “professional” and appeals to contemporary, even more visually-savvy audiences. One exception here is the plethora of birth announcements, moving announcements, wedding announcements and other self-promotional pieces entered — and frequently chosen; here, it’s worth suggesting that while the ego may be local, the dreams are transcendent. And with the exception of a few lonely chile peppers or howling coyotes or blobby Hatch Show print headlines, I dare any reader to cover up the location names and try to guess where this work comes from. The same can be said for the descriptions of the business climate for design, which are basically mediocre from sea-to- shining-sea; nevertheless, each regions’ designers remain optimistic despite it all — which either speaks to the indomitability of the human spirit , or to the ongoing proliferation of serotonin-uptake inhibitors. Or both."