[Sigia-l] Interesting Interface

[Eric Reiss]

Sorry to put a damper on the fun, but what makes these interfaces
“interesting”? Certainly not their originality. 

Take Pixel Gasoline (Simon Tessier). This is an old adventure game
interface, perhaps best known from Myst. AgencyNet has brought the
old functional analogy of “Bianca’s Shack” into the Flash age (see
Polar Bear I, page 35). And Matthew Mahon is doing the same stuff
photographers have been doing since the dawn of the web, albeit
significantly better (see my book, page 79).

Most site owners have a message they want to communicate and want
people to get it with the least amount of effort. Using these
metrics, Pixel, Agency, and Mahon would fail dismally. But as Seth
Earley says, these sites are indeed entertaining so perhaps we need
to move beyond that boring, pragmatic world in which ROI-blinded
clients seek “business value”.

I contend that creative sites like these are more entertaining for
the site owners to build than for site visitors to use. I’ve been
quoted as calling these kinds of designs “creative masturbation.” But
this isn’t necessarily bad.

Who says websites always have to be so damned “other-directed”? (to
borrow a David Riesman phrase) Why do we hang art on our walls?
Because in most instances, it pleases us to look at it. Only the
status-seekers look for the ROI in their acquisitions. 

And what is the primary reason artists create? It’s certainly not for
the money. And it’s not to please viewers/owners – this is the
difference between “art” and “commercial art.” True artists create
because they are DRIVEN; it makes THEM feel good (or satisfied) to
communicate as they do. If I also feel good (or affected), this is
merely an added bonus.

Mssrs. Mahon and Tessier are both artists. But they are also poor
businessmen if their websites are meant to help drum up clients.
Simon Tessier’s site, beautiful as it is, has a “cute-to-content
ratio” that is unacceptable given the download times required. And I
don’t even know how to get in touch with Mahon. So what about the
“professionals” at AgencyNet? A frighteningly unoriginal concept
peppered with lots of time-wasting gimmicks – they should hire Mahon
and Tessier as creative consultants.

But


If we’re looking for art, where are the true believers who see the
web as a means of artistic expression and offer up a whole gallery of
exciting sites/concepts, not just one-shot efforts pretending to have
commercial value?

Best,
Eric

e-reiss & associates
copenhagen, denmark
www.e-reiss.com