Something I continually learn – sometimes the hard way, but the only way to get things done…is to do them. I know, seems obvious, but sometimes even the most obvious things that make sense get bogged down with politics, long-term obstacles, too many cooks in the kitchen or even self-doubt. I’ve seen too many smart people with great opportunities never get great work off the ground because to outline the perfect strategy that pleases everyone and answers all questions becomes too big, too heavy, and to much to push against. Here’s the deal though, all the planning in the world doesn’t amount to the fruits of actually doing things. So – go out and do something. Build something. Create something.
As a big fan of responsive design – or more so – of “one web,” I found designer Frankie Roberto’s experimentation with responsive text quite interesting – check it out.
With such rapid and recent developments in web areas like performance and responsive design , the fact is we can realistically pursue a “one web” vision of serving up content at a URL to everyone to the best ability of their device. One design, one content that adapts accordingly as users move through it based on their browsing device.
Here, Roberto is using media queries to actually hide and display text based on screen size (i.e. not rewriting or delivering different content based on context — as one would do with mobile-focused copy, for example).
I can definitely see potential use in things like email where I’d want different content based on how the user was viewing, but I don’t think it applies as much to overall websites and UX which should ideally be built around “mobile first” to begin with, and thus cut the bloat out beforehand.
Regardless, I dig the experiment and potential use. Hope you enjoy.
I hope that a day doesn’t go by that I don’t fail at something. I know, odd, but here’s the deal – if you’re not occasionally failing (or even often), than you’re probably playing it too safe. Even worse, you’re probably not growing and evolving – in work, life, love. Nope. A life absent of failure means that you’re probably hiding form opportunities that also come with risk, failing to engage and thus producing nothing.
Don’t get me wrong. Failing isn’t fun. It’s the thing that can keep me up at times – but what I realize more and more, is that once you embrace it as reality and understand the art of failure, it becomes a bit easier.
As a manager, I try to create the best opportunities I can for my teams. I try to identify areas of potential and growth and to align people to their skills and passions. Sometimes I fail. Sometimes, circumstances for success are out of my control. Faced with dozens of decisions weekly, sometimes daily, I’ll decide wrong – or even worse, fail to make a decision.
As an employee of a company, I try to contribute to the bottom line, be a team player, add value to projects and bring my expertise and skills to the table every day. Sometimes I fail.
As a digital marketing professional, I try to create smart strategy, impactful user experiences that produce results. Sometimes I fail.
As a husband and father, I look to lift up my family, build them up, love them, support them, encourage them and guide them. Sometimes I fail.
Failing is simply part of the process. Embrace it. Approach it like art: a part of existence, powerful, mysterious, evolutionary, painful at times. Remember, playing it safe or small doesn’t serve anyone well. It only produces the status quo on the best of days, and it’s not how I prefer to spend my time.
I recently watched through the video series “Trombone Player Wanted” – a video series by Marcus Buckingham that gets at the need to identify and play to your strengths – in life and at work. It was part of a lunch and learn I ran for my marketing team, and it was driven by a very smart colleague of mine who is passionate about knowing and playing to your strengths.
I have to say, it was inspirational, and what I realize more and more is that the only limits to what we want to do in life, or at work, are the limits we create for ourselves. Too many people allow themselves to be victimized by the system or their role or the corporate culture – but the fact is doing things that you enjoy and are good at require you to first think about that you are good at. Once you know that, the future can be limitless if you commit to playing to your strengths as much as possible. You’ll always need to create opportunities and make the change you want at times, opportunities don’t come on a silver platter – but I firmly believe the world is ours for the taken. You just need to step up and take it.
“And the day came when the risk [it took] to remain tight in the bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom.”
I recently had the chance to meet and listen to Sir Ken Robinson in person through my company SAS, in Cary, NC, who had him on campus to talk about creative leadership and creating a culture of innovation. SAS is great at putting a high value on a creative and innovative employee culture, which I’m luck to be a part of, and as a company, walks its talk. So it was great getting to hear Ken in person and felt challenged by his message.
Anyway, not that I know much about education, but I do know I like Ken Robinson and his approach to storytelling and ideas. His focus is on education, and I love the emphasis he puts on creativity, and for people to really explore their strengths and gifts. Education is supposed to help do that – and in a world of Ken Robinson, it certainly would. Here’s a great video that gets at the heart of just that. Enjoy!
As an online marketer, I’m always interested in the use of new (or even old) technology, the ability to drill down into data and analytics to see exactly what your customers, and campaigns, are doing, and ultimately- ROI – what am I doing to create leads or subscriptions or order…revenue. But at the end of the day, there’s nothing I love more than a great experience. Sure, I still love and want a great ROI – but I want even more to build great user experiences. That’s why I’m a big fan of responsive web design.
Responsive Design
A 2-second history on responsive web design
Responsive web design stems from the notion of responsive architectural design, whereby a room or space automatically adjusts to the number and flow of people within it. In the design and online world, it means that design and development should respond to the user’s behavior and environment based on screen size, platform and orientation. The practice consists of a mix of flexible grids and layouts, images and an intelligent use of CSS media queries. As the user switches from their laptop to iPad, the website should automatically switch to accommodate for resolution, image size and scripting abilities. In other words, the website should have the technology to automatically respond to the user’s preferences. This would eliminate the need for a different design and development phase for each new gadget on the market.
Inspired husband, in awe dad, marketing and creative professional who is passionate about the power of ideas, the art of storytelling, and marketing that wows.
