It’s good to see that Microsoft makes an acknowledgment that there are designers in this world, notably so, in regards to the web.
While most of us can cite page after google cache of complaints and downright spite of all things Internet Explorer; the new onslaught of Internet Explorer 7 has turned many naysayers into brown-nosers for the red headed step child of the web.
But let’s clarify — they care little for quality design.
Any experienced designer can smell Microsoft a mile away: wether it be blue gradients or two pounds of packaging for one dvd… it’s apparent that they have:
- Middle Management running the design decisions
- Sales division running the design decisions
- Production Artists masquerading as Graphic Designers
- All of the above
It’s hurting our industry.
When I commented on the initial design of Mix ’06, the intent was both to commend and condemn their half hearted attempt at sincere development and design. Mix ’06, after all, is supposed to be a power forum for web designers, developers, and anything under the sun selling web v1.0-3.0 with the intent on delivery quality to it’s clientele, not shafting it’s core audience with a cosmetic marketing approach… right? True to form, since then, they’ve updated Mix ’06 with an improved look suffering from almost-good-enough web development.
Tell you the truth, Mix ’06 was the farthest thing from my mind, and I would never have noticed it’s updated image, save a poor print ad in the most recent issue of Wired News, of which they seem to be a large sponsor.
…but in the same breath I admire their honeymoon with unordered lists, I’m appalled by a barrage of skittles hammered onto an actionscript commercial:
Who approved that? Inquiring Designers need to know.
I flash back to hours of looking at Entourage, seeing gradients in everything from calendar posts to contacts — and I it is easy to see that to Microsoft, sliding transparent, yet colorful gradients on a blue/yellow clouded background would be inviting to the visitor. It must have been apparent to middle management that free flowing keywords describing incredible features of ie7 gently gliding would, in a new york minute, end my dependence on alternative browsers and hail a new era of Web Design peace throughout the standards world.
Microsoft’s love affair with courting designers is cosmetic at best; Microsoft knows little of design, nor do they care. IE 7 is an update, indeed — but it’s not a leap forward. One year from now we’ll be in heated debate as we watch the other browsers sputter past with CSS 3 drop shadows and multiple backgrounds; and again, they’ll be hurting my design.
I’m a strong believer that limitations pose challenges for any artist to excel and develop. The occasional project with a print budget of only $5000 USD for an office crew in dire need of stationary will make you a magician of 2 color, recycled paper, unique designs. But those limitations come sporadically, and you WILL someday land a large print design that gives you room to excel and expand your talents. With the internet, however, I’ve been held back by a mediocre representation of my work, and the weight falls squarely the first decade in 2000 on Microsoft’s Internet Explorer. I know, now I get position:fixed and alpha transparent png’s (though all those old Dell users will most likely be on their IE6 for some time), but my layout will still need forced ie hacks, and will be years behind what my potential, and the potential of my designers could be, because of their lackluster performance.
In the end, they’re not advancing the same industry their courting, which makes development more expensive, design less enthralling, and slows my progress. So what am I to do about this necessary evil?