most definitely an excellent thread :)
ok... here's my take
firstly, you have to keep in mind one thing: who is the end user?
if it is the broadband, seasoned internet user, then design for their standards (min 1024x768 & good quality pics)
however, if you're designing for the masses... you must think about what is NECESSARY and what is EXTRANEOUS
as aria points out -- I think the core of what we do is to communicate , in clear and simple ways, rather than getting carried away with the latest and trendiest techniques and tricks out there.
K.I.S.S.
keep it simple, stupid ;)
that's part of the equation... but if you're asked to go above and beyond the norm (and prove/reinforce an identity, etc) then you must go beyond the norm and include some of these 'techniques and tricks'
however, as designers, we must remember that we can't get carried away with anything...
in my opinion, moderation is key to life... and that includes design ----- meaning that there's a line you draw where you know that if you cross it, you will loose many *common* viewers because 1) they don't get it 2) they don't like it 3) it's too much to handle
a great point that CNO makes is: "it is quite possible to work within limitations" --- in fact, it's what we are SUPPOSED to do
if bandwidth disappeared all together, and everyone in the world had a 5gig cpu and 5gigs of RAM, it wouldn't change how we design... it would only change the rate at which we could transmit our message
but the message itself would still have to be consise... to the point... and engaguing/entertaining
otherwise, we lose the audience...
many people realize that, in today's society, we are all about HERE... NOW... FAST... NEW... BETTER...
we are a consumer-driven society, and as such, things need to be simple and direct... otherwise, the audience is not interested in the slightest
i guarantee that, if you directed the average internet user to something like designgraphik or gmunk or submethod or praystation... 90% would leave within the first 2 minutes....
because it does not apply to them, and moreso because it does not speak directly to them... instead, it forces them to think... and unfortunately, in today's society, forcing people to think usually doesn't make you money (unless you're in the film and/or musical industry)
we are advertisers
plain and simple... we concieve an idea, and spread it to the masses through this medium of the internet... and we can call ourselves artists because we know that our medium can include art
but when it comes down to it, we advertise somebody else's message... nothing more... nothing less
so to answer your question, aria, "what is it that we do" --- i have to say that we are simply the voice of the client... we *try to* do exactly what the client wants... and usually, that's a simple conveyance of a simple message ... buy my product... come to my store... remember me when you need to... think of me first... etc
we are not here to show off :D even though we try our hardest to bring out the best in flash... sometimes, it's just not necessary... and many times, it's hurtful to the end-user's experience
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ok... i've probably gone on too long...
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i'm looking forward to the rest of this thread... it should be a good one :D
-steve