tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30983073.post1988024825241781975..comments2024-02-11T03:10:57.646-05:00Comments on The Art Department: Hate Flash. Hate.Irene Gallohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15440976373621593153noreply@blogger.comBlogger41125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30983073.post-69945826136066207612008-09-13T16:45:00.000-04:002008-09-13T16:45:00.000-04:00Hi Irene,We don't use the word "hate":}Flash is no...Hi Irene,<BR/>We don't use the word "hate":}<BR/><BR/>Flash is nothing more than a tool, much like a pencil, Conte crayon or a charcoal stick. It takes time to learn it properly and efficiently and probably a lifetime to master.<BR/><BR/>Most Flash sites are built entirely in Flash and usually contain a lot of hierarchical structuring... Such as text flying in and out at certain frame rates and intervals, motion graphics folding in from one another and a lot of other interactive elements. Add sound and loader bars to the equation and the user might be in for quite a frustrating experience. <BR/><BR/>I find, however, that there is a "lighter" way to use Flash that has a much better representational advantage compared to stagnant HTML image only sites.<BR/><BR/> It seems that book and magazine publishing fine art establishments are not connecting themselves to concept art for film and video game media as much as maybe they should be... Especially when science fiction is their main genre of publication.<BR/><BR/>Let's take Donato's "The golden Rose" (dead mermen on beach) oil painting as an example and imagine that the waves in the lower right hand corner of the image are animated (in oil no less)... Breaking on the beach as the woman holds on to the other lost figure in the painting. Along with the sound of the ocean waves breaking, let's add some bird chirps to the painting via Flash as well. Now let's make this whole piece of work a link to the making of or "how it was done" page and you've got a very subtle way of using Flash for fine art that exponentially increases the dynamics of the work... And before anyone starts to denounce animation and claiming that the oil painting is much more powerful as a single stagnant image, leaving the viewer to interpret the emotion that the artist is trying to convey, there will probably be a few purists that will agree with you. However, the younger generation of artists growing up on multimedia and interactive game play might find it tired and "so done before" even if it truly is a masterpiece of fine art.<BR/><BR/>Animation in an otherwise still layout can add more bits of information in the same amount of space as an otherwise stagnant image does. If done properly, animation can also explain contents and story in a much more dynamic, exact, complete manner and in less amount of time. Along with random math and high definition uses, Flash has a lot more advantages than even I know of... Still.<BR/><BR/>To put a close to my rant, animated magazines might/will probably be the future... One only needs to look at all of the beautiful 2D animation that has lost out (at least for the moment) to the more rich and believable three dimensional Pixar style. There is a moment of shift and change right now due to the accessibility of multimedia creation tools and people who despise or underestimate the importance of Flash now might want to reconsider their feelings and keep an open mind... Because one day you might be forced to learn it:)<BR/><BR/>Thanks for posting a link to my conceptships blog Irene... I truly appreciate it!concept shipshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15633460197320743820noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30983073.post-77147137150961532372008-08-27T02:43:00.000-04:002008-08-27T02:43:00.000-04:00Couldn't agree more Irene! You'll be glad to know ...Couldn't agree more Irene! You'll be glad to know that I've actively discouraged a few artists from making flash portfolios this year. Even well designed ones can get irritating very quickly.<BR/><BR/>I added a Slide gallery to my site (www.CoolSurface.com)so that people have a choice of how to view my work, they can either click through the gallery the old fashioned way, or they can watch each image scroll by without worrying. People seem to like having the choice.David Cousenshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01343904801751102724noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30983073.post-40086137039146344342008-08-27T02:42:00.000-04:002008-08-27T02:42:00.000-04:00This comment has been removed by the author.David Cousenshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01343904801751102724noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30983073.post-41696773242620756192008-08-23T10:09:00.000-04:002008-08-23T10:09:00.000-04:00Maybe you could give some examples of the best art...Maybe you could give some examples of the best artist websites?Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15375615378259386972noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30983073.post-72616093244105296962008-08-22T19:57:00.000-04:002008-08-22T19:57:00.000-04:00Jon - You are absolutely right. I am only speaking...Jon - You are absolutely right. I am only speaking in terms of looking at illustration portfolios. There are all kinds of wonderful and creative uses for animated websites.<BR/><BR/>fwf - Wheelright, you just like being a pain. ;-)Irene Gallohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15440976373621593153noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30983073.post-48801473474824315422008-08-21T19:20:00.000-04:002008-08-21T19:20:00.000-04:00Hate flash PORTFOLIO sites, but I'm not going to h...Hate flash PORTFOLIO sites, but I'm not going to hop on the "ALL FLASH IS BAD" bandwagon. Appropriate technology, used appropriately is a wonderful thing. Unfortunately, there are so many inappropriate flash experiences out thereAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30983073.post-62520130615218106952008-08-21T00:47:00.000-04:002008-08-21T00:47:00.000-04:00Yes, it's easy to update flash, an it'll probably ...Yes, it's easy to update flash, an it'll probably look good. <BR/><BR/>It'll look good in your browser, on your monitor, with your settings. If you're not sure how it looks elsewhere, you're failing at user centered design.<BR/><BR/>There is art, and there is user design. Web pages need user design first, art second.Josh Jasperhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08441897278413737658noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30983073.post-42056355174974279952008-08-21T00:39:00.000-04:002008-08-21T00:39:00.000-04:00I'm sure it is easier to use. It seems that every ...I'm sure it is easier to use. It seems that every site I go to recently is has pop-ups, expanding windows, etc. Certainly all of the students coming out from school have their sites set up that way. I know I've lost this battle.<BR/><BR/>But it's still a complete pain in the ass for art directors. If I was purely looking at sites for my own enjoyment, it would not be an issue. It's a soothing way to look at work. But it's slow. Very slow. More importantly, it's unsharable.<BR/><BR/>What it does is reduce the number of artists I expose the editors to. Instead of collecting a bunch of possible artists, I'll pitch only my top favorites for that project.<BR/><BR/>Dave - I hadn't noticed the flashness of your site because I was able to download the images. Most flash sites I've run across wont let me do that.<BR/><BR/>On the other hand, most artists are better about updating their blogs and myspace pages....which are blissfully flashless. Nowadays I tend to go there first and use the portfolio sites as backup.<BR/><BR/>Also note: I;m using the phrase "flash" as a catch-all for anything that pops up and animates. I'm really not up n web programs so I may be blaming flash for other kinds of programs. I really don't care how a site is made as long as it is:<BR/>1- quick<BR/>2- easy to navigate<BR/>3- shareableIrene Gallohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15440976373621593153noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30983073.post-44363271140500984292008-08-21T00:21:00.000-04:002008-08-21T00:21:00.000-04:00I love The Flash - fwfI love The Flash - fwfAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30983073.post-64923919748036487542008-08-20T22:54:00.000-04:002008-08-20T22:54:00.000-04:00me too. i hate html lesswyme too. i hate html lesswyDaniel Hyun Limhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12229886769374342103noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30983073.post-24907428419686783922008-08-20T19:17:00.000-04:002008-08-20T19:17:00.000-04:00Sadly I find it easier to update than anything els...Sadly I find it easier to update than anything else.<BR/><BR/>Guess I don't get any work. :(<BR/><BR/>On my pro-site there's an option to right click and open image in another window.<BR/><BR/>But I haven't added that feature onto my personal site.<BR/><BR/>=s=Shane Whitehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05706984816021430077noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30983073.post-86361935654736899002008-08-20T12:59:00.000-04:002008-08-20T12:59:00.000-04:00"I think Irene is frustrated by the fact that on m..."I think Irene is frustrated by the fact that on most Flash sites individual samples do not have their own unique URL that she can pass around, NOT that they are hard to navigate or that she can't download the images."<BR/><BR/>that makes good sense, but right-clicking also allows me to "copy image location" and grab just my url. Out of curiosity I went and explored some other sites using lightbox thinking perhaps it is a browser quirk that some will allow this and others won't and I found pages which just don't give those options. It seems that not all lighbox code is used identically, so some allow more access than others.<BR/><BR/>Perhaps thats standard to deny a link or download, I don't know, but it's not a guaranteed thing. Or anyhow, it's not how mine works. It's all black magic to me anyway :)David Palumbohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14842762706216506725noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30983073.post-724303191381174142008-08-20T10:48:00.000-04:002008-08-20T10:48:00.000-04:00so many responses!I'll try to write up a quick bul...so many responses!<BR/><BR/>I'll try to write up a quick bulleted response to what _I_ like in a web portfolio.Of course, it may not be every ADs choices but might be useful info to consider.Irene Gallohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15440976373621593153noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30983073.post-58029350848024867102008-08-20T08:06:00.000-04:002008-08-20T08:06:00.000-04:00I think Irene is frustrated by the fact that on mo...I think Irene is frustrated by the fact that on most Flash sites individual samples do not have their own unique URL that she can pass around, NOT that they are hard to navigate or that she can't download the images. If I understand her post correctly, plus things I've heard her say at past SF convention panels, she doesn't want to have to download images. She just wants to be able to put a link in an email and and send it around and not have to say "Go to this website and count 3 down and 2 across then click on the one with the guy in the cape..."<BR/><BR/>Sorry if I put words in you mouth Irene. please let me know if I'm off base.THOMAS NACKID art + designhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00484395060276198219noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30983073.post-69967972214538464902008-08-20T00:27:00.000-04:002008-08-20T00:27:00.000-04:00I can imagine! This is good advice for others in b...I can imagine! This is good advice for others in both positions (buyers & sellers.)Lana Gramlichhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06975996208260144558noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30983073.post-16442813541861589282008-08-19T23:36:00.000-04:002008-08-19T23:36:00.000-04:00Thanks for letting us know Irene.From an artist's ...Thanks for letting us know Irene.<BR/><BR/>From an artist's point of view, it is never our intention to annoy art directors. Why would we? They're the ones who give us jobs.<BR/><BR/>Most of us have Flash sites because the program allows for creating professional quality sites in a short amount of time. We learned Flash in art school, and many established artists we look up to have them. This is also the first time I've heard someone (an art director, no less!) say they find navigating Flash sites frustrating.<BR/><BR/>I'm not arguing against Irene's point. I'm thankful she spoke her mind and it's an invaluable piece of advice. I will take it to heart and see if I can learn HTML. <BR/><BR/>But I'm also asking that our point be seen too. We're imperfect, hard working artists with big dreams who are doing the best we can with what we know. And we don't know everything.Piyahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11954206497878502968noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30983073.post-87970800512724037022008-08-19T21:33:00.000-04:002008-08-19T21:33:00.000-04:00Um...I'm sure glad my new web designer talked me o...Um...I'm sure glad my new web designer talked me out of using Flash...Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15375615378259386972noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30983073.post-9584414817643306702008-08-19T19:53:00.000-04:002008-08-19T19:53:00.000-04:00Good point Irene, My website itself is flash...b...Good point Irene, <BR/> My website itself is flash...but also keep even more samples in my blog (being linked with my site) which is useful, because from there you right click and save all the images. But I agree..it's annoying to wait for th images to load...Jorge Mascarenhashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16727538320980884224noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30983073.post-27405835049721524532008-08-19T18:24:00.000-04:002008-08-19T18:24:00.000-04:00In order to quell the artist-in-me-who-needs-to-ha...In order to quell the artist-in-me-who-needs-to-have-a-flash-website I think I'll design a flash site so that it looks and behaves like HTML.Mark Wintershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14296663851392670593noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30983073.post-15115121938033913042008-08-19T17:48:00.000-04:002008-08-19T17:48:00.000-04:00I completely understand your argument. I've heard...I completely understand your argument. I've heard you say this time again. For whatever reason though, my site still lets me right-click/save all the images no problem, even though I'm using lightbox. Maybe it depends on the browser?<BR/><BR/>I have small previews to the side when you roll over just incase, but I'm puzzled. Do some lightbox sights allow images to be saved and others don't?David Palumbohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14842762706216506725noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30983073.post-665749624065100742008-08-19T17:41:00.000-04:002008-08-19T17:41:00.000-04:00I'm bookmarking your short rant to show to future ...I'm bookmarking your short rant to show to future clients.pussrebootshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02167235847991793325noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30983073.post-1955136619897269422008-08-19T16:01:00.000-04:002008-08-19T16:01:00.000-04:00I'm on your side in this one, those sites are so i...I'm on your side in this one, those sites are so incredibly annoying that it isn't worth the battle.Carl V. Andersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15948764216438379394noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30983073.post-43418670574022376992008-08-19T14:06:00.000-04:002008-08-19T14:06:00.000-04:00I'll post a comment in a second here...still loadi...I'll post a comment in a second here...still loading 8%--9%--10%...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30983073.post-76643412401852630822008-08-19T12:53:00.000-04:002008-08-19T12:53:00.000-04:00Off topic, but in response to several of the above...Off topic, but in response to several of the above comments:<BR/><BR/>I know several artists whose work *does* get stolen all the time--and not to be used in an image morgue. It doesn't matter how low-res the image is, or if they've watermarked it. People will still take their work, crop off or edit out the watermark, and sell stationary, t-shirts, purses... all kinds of junk on ebay with their work on it. For some, art theft is a business and they can make serious cash, even off crappy low-res images. <BR/><BR/>I can definitely understand the concern--but I don't necessarily think Flash sites solve the problem. Screenshots of an image work just as well for thieves as right-click "Save As"Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30983073.post-91349691226900057932008-08-19T12:33:00.000-04:002008-08-19T12:33:00.000-04:00Quite honestly I don't even care if someone wants ...Quite honestly I don't even care if someone wants to 'steal' my work. I 'steal' people's work all the time. It's called an Image Morgue and serves as inspiration for my own work. If someone feels inspired by a crappy jpeg version of my work.... more power to them and thanks for the compliment! Anyone afraid of someone getting their hands on a severely compressed, non printable version of their work takes themselves far too seriously IMHO. Enjoy the art and share the vision people! If an artist is afraid of theft then only post low rez images along with separate cropped versions for details. Sheesh! :DRay Ledererhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04144202700639417274noreply@blogger.com