Hacker News Board Hacker News, browsed like a classic message board
Live data from Hacker News

The Next Microsoft

minimallyminimal.com

Post reply on HN
Print view View original

321–330 of 355 posts

Re: The Next Microsoft

#321

Post by idspispopd »

nhashem wrote: post #95

We could debate whether this would "work" on a practical level as if this was a Powerpoint presentation for Steve Ballmer and we're supposed to predict how he'd react. But I'm really just finding myself appreciating the "space/science fiction" metaphor for technology. Steve Jobs has often quoted Apple as "advancing the human race." I feel like this takes it to the next level. I felt myself wanting this company to exi…

The problem is that space as a branding device can't be owned, it also tires easily. Indeed you can swap out microsoft for any vaguely tech related company here, they'd have equal claim and relevance.

Also consider the default apple desktop backgrounds/screensavers have been space imagery for a while with even the time machine interface presenting a flying through space appearance.

Space inspires wonder and technology, but as a brand it doesn't speak microsoft, nor apple... it speaks NASA and sci/fi.

Re: The Next Microsoft

#322

Post by idspispopd »

blhack wrote: post #73

Dear everybody, Are you paying attention? This is how you build a portfolio. Did microsoft ask this person to do this? No. But he did it, and it's brilliant, and now he can put it in his portfolio under "speculative work". And then he gets a job doing this. I can't tell you how many people I talk to (I live in a college town, and frequently go to bars and strike up conversations with people) who just finished, or are…

When putting together speculative work, it's best to avoid big companies - it's like trying to rebrand Christmas, everyone has their own idea.

Microsoft already has huge creative endeavours, trying to compete with that is a folly (Christmas example above.) Instead the designer can shine by showing how they can invigorate 'boring' brands, how they can elevate the mundane to fantastic.

This on the other hand doesn't look any better than what MS already does. Where do you want to go today?

Re: The Next Microsoft

#323

Post by commandar »

idspispopd wrote: post #322
blhack wrote: post #73

Dear everybody, Are you paying attention? This is how you build a portfolio. Did microsoft ask this person to do this? No. But he did it, and it's brilliant, and now he can put it in his portfolio under "speculative work". And then he gets a job doing this. I can't tell you how many people I talk to (I live in a college town, and frequently go to bars and strike up conversations with people) who just finished, or are…

When putting together speculative work, it's best to avoid big companies - it's like trying to rebrand Christmas, everyone has their own idea. Microsoft already has huge creative endeavours, trying to compete with that is a folly (Christmas example above.) Instead the designer can shine by showing how they can invigorate 'boring' brands, how they can elevate the mundane to fantastic. This on the other hand doesn't lo…

>Instead the designer can shine by showing how they can invigorate 'boring' brands, how they can elevate the mundane to fantastic.

Microsoft is about as close as you can get to the very definition of a "boring" brand, and has been for some time. They're a well-known brand, absolutely, but it's hard to find anyone that's excited about them as a company.

Re: The Next Microsoft

#324

Post by idspispopd »

commandar wrote: post #323
idspispopd wrote: post #322

Earlier quoted context omitted.

When putting together speculative work, it's best to avoid big companies - it's like trying to rebrand Christmas, everyone has their own idea. Microsoft already has huge creative endeavours, trying to compete with that is a folly (Christmas example above.) Instead the designer can shine by showing how they can invigorate 'boring' brands, how they can elevate the mundane to fantastic. This on the other hand doesn't lo…

>Instead the designer can shine by showing how they can invigorate 'boring' brands, how they can elevate the mundane to fantastic. Microsoft is about as close as you can get to the very definition of a "boring" brand, and has been for some time. They're a well-known brand, absolutely, but it's hard to find anyone that's excited about them as a company.

They certainly are boring. The problem is that they have had high moments in the past which is what this designer is competing with.

They should take a brand that has always been boring and make it shine.

Re: The Next Microsoft

#325

Post by pyre »

jsprink_banned wrote: post #272
fbailey wrote: post #270

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Sorry, totally wrong. I'm in Germany I know at least 20 people who read HN. I know a lot more who have heard of Dustin Curtis and the AA redesign. You don't understand the global impact of HN and a networked society.

The alternative and far more logical explanation, of course, is that you surround yourself with and network with the kind of people who read HN. I do understand the global impact of a forum such as this, and I certainly understand the ramifications of a networked society. I suggest, however, that the network in this case is far smaller than supposed. The next example is dangerous to pull off as the topic is polarizin…

I think that people can get a sense of 'touching greatness' because there are a lot of people that show up on HN that are 'movers and shakers' in the tech world. It can really be a thrill to see a posting about some really popular site/webapp/software, and have the original creator of the software pop on and resolve issues on the spot.

That being said, the effect is not as great as some people presume that it is.

Re: The Next Microsoft

#326

Post by yakshaving »

idspispopd wrote: post #238

Design isn't about just being radical and experimental (which has a place). Good designers know when to use these features while obeying the over arching rule of design: Don't just include elements because you fancy them (or the idea of them) - They must work completely on their own merits. As an experiment this is interesting, as a proposition it's very poor, it's design-poor. This is subjective, but in my view it's…

I completely agree - It seems like this is one of the only other design responses on this board.

Every point you've made here is right. The harsh angles and general feeling of a "sharp razor" are just not right for Microsoft, or many other companies actually. It's experimental which is cool, but just far too strong to be adopted.

Re: The Next Microsoft

#327

Post by catenate »

programminggeek wrote: post #6

This is great. It will never work. A brand has to reflect the culture of how a product is made, sold, experienced, etc... Microsoft is not about simplicity, it's about feature creep. Microsoft sells software and licenses to big companies. Big companies don't want simple, they want value for their money - features! A better brand promise would be Microsoft - It Does Everything! Look at Windows 8. Is it going metro onl…

So a better logo for Microsoft would be a Katamari Damacy ball?

Re: The Next Microsoft

#329

Post by brandoncapecci »

CubicleNinjas wrote: post #232
CubicleNinjas wrote: post #58

So make them look like Apple? Gotcha.

I'm getting downvoted, so let me explain. I wish people would discuss their ideas instead of downvote beliefs they disagree with. 1) Space themes – This is old in Apple land. Leopard launched with a space screensaver and the galaxy background. This was in 2007. Every year they update the space themes. Not cool, not sci-fi, and far from unique. 2) Packaging – The packing mirrors Apple's current packaging exactly. Side…

"The worst thing they could do would be to rip-off the worlds most profitable brand."

There's a oxymoron if I've ever seen one...

Re: The Next Microsoft

#330

Post by Apocryphon »

Just wondering, is minimalism really the forward of design where it comes to software-related aesthetics? You'd think so that, on principle, computers are getting more and more user-friendly and easy to understand, so minimalism and simplicity should follow. On the other hand, should every company embrace minimalist aesthetics, as both Apple and Google have?
Post reply on HN