I had a design job I worked on recently. It was briefly discussed that, in addition to the layout of the project, I would assemble some sort of written remarks, too. Nothing earth-shattering or mind-blowing, just clever greetings…

I politely said, “no thanks.”

My two brains (lefty & righty) don’t always play well together.

Not that they can’t, mind you… But doing those things tend to split one project in two, except that the time required to complete it gets multiplied.

Maybe it’s just me. Do others have trouble working on aspects of projects (like writing) while simultaneously working on visual art? I was still thinking about this when I read a post on NoisyDecentGraphics this morning that asked a similar question…

Should designers try to write? Should writers try to design?

“Over the last few years there’s been a fair amout of chat about how great it is if designers can write. Only the other week, in Belfast, we heard Adrian Shaughnessy reiterate this idea. I like the idea. I’m a designer and enjoy messing about with words. I’m often heard to say, “I’m no writer, but what about this…” and confidently string words together for projects I’m working on. Problem is, when someone comes along and says, “I’m no designer but what about this…” us designers get seriously pissed off.”

This project ended up with a bunch of pictures, and not many words.

But maybe I should have given it more thought. Tried to work something up with the client to really put it over the top…

Ultimately, It’s ideas that grab and persuade people - not typography and colour, or grammar and wordplay. Craft skills, used well, are the tools we use to make that idea sing… But the idea should come first.

And anyone can have an idea.

Collaboration. It’s like having both sides of my brain again.