Economic Decline = Creative Growth

No matter where you get your daily news from, it seems that you can't help but be clubbed over the head with the impending doom of economic collapse.

While I am no expert in the matters of how or why the economy functions the way it does (did?), I do at least think it's important to look at how this will affect the design community.

The rest of the world is coming to a grinding hault. The money has stopped moving because people are fearful of any addition losses, and one way businesses seek to prevent further losses is to cut back on marketing expenses.

As designers, we are creative by nature. We look at things from a different angle, and we devise a plan to execute and express our ideas in a creative fashion. So why should helping our clients keep their marketing in tact be any different? - It shouldn't.

Rather than looking at a recession as something that will slow our industry down, we need to see this as an opportunity to thrive in the "new" market.

You may wonder what "new" market I am talking about. I am referring to the ability to adapt. An adaptable market where flexibility is king, and every client gets their own tailored plan. The days of a set rate are probably over. The "money is no object" budgets are now extinct.

Talk to your clients and ensure that you know they're looking at restrictions with their marketing plan, and you are there to assist in that adjustment. Always be looking for ways to save your client money on their projects, and it will help to cultivate a long and rewarding relationship with them. They just want to feel like you "get it."

Seize the opportunity to create something out of nothing, and you will reestablish faith that even though times are tough, marketing/branding are still just as important if not more so in surviving the monetary slump.

The headlines may be bad, and the news might seem bleak, but to the economic crisis I say, "Bring it on. Challenge me to be a better designer, help me to adapt and allow me to do what I do."

NIN | JA EP

I got an email today that pointed me to the NINJA tour website. For those who might not know what that is, it is the upcoming tour featuring Nine Inch Nails and Jane's Addiction as well as a new band called Street Sweeper.

The link was to download a tour EP that has two new songs from each artist on the tour, and being a child of the nineties, I couldn't not download this thing.

The verdict is exactly as I expected: decent. None of the bands are breaking new ground here, but it is still good to hear Trent Reznor's signature sound, Perry Farrell's howl and Tom Morello's jacked-up guitar riffs.

If you were ever a fan of any of these bands, you won't be let down, however, if you are looking for a revival, look elsewhere. These songs don't live up to the past hits from the glory days of 90's alterna-rock, but they do breathe life into the otherwise stale genre of alternative music.

Design: Even though this is a free EP given out via the NIN website, Trent Reznor never half-does anything including artwork. The artwork, though simple, is really well done. It relies heavily on a futuristic-style typeface that has an ominous feeling of the end of days. It is dark without being cheesy, and it embodies each band without leaning too much in one way or another. I give it an A- for effort and execution.

The First Post...

Wow. The interweb is growing at an explosive rate, and I guess its time to get on board.

With that said, welcome to the new Motion Machine Designs Blog. This is where you will find what I hope will be useful or interesting insight into design, art, music and many other topics.

My goal is to share my creative ideas with you. I hope you will do the same. Thanks!