Bloggers Killing Design Writing?
Now here’s an article, published in Print Magazine, that has ruffled a few feathers in the Blogging Community. Design writer and former editor of the Design Observer blog, Rick Poynor* really throws his toys out of the pram in Easy Writer.
The biggest single problem with blogs as a medium for writing is the very thing that bloggers tend to love them for: the lack of editors. It’s naive to imagine that you can just sit down at the keyboard, shoot from the hip, and hit the target unaided every time.
Although I respect Mr Poynor as a journalist, a writer (he’s undoubtedly one of the best in the industry), I cannot for the life of me understand the point he’s trying to make. Personally, I (and I’m sure most bloggers would share my sentiment) never imagine that you can just sit down at the keyboard, shoot from the hip, and hit the target unaided every time.
However, Mr Poynor is not the first journalist to throw the ‘pro/amateur writer tantrum’, and he won’t be the last. We, all of us, make choices about what we read, how we read and where we read it - we make judgements about the veracity or credibility of what we read and—if we have any sense—do not generalise about any one news/views/information medium.
Either Rick Poynor got out of bed on the wrong side or, I hope, has his tongue firmly lodged into his cheek, when he writes,
Behind every good design journalist is an editor. Not so true of on-line critics.
You Logicians might note the ‘error’ in this statement. However, we’ll ignore that and concentrate on the kernel of his argument: journalists are better than bloggers because they have editors to keep them in check.
If he were not so serious, that thought would be third runner-up in the Village fête’s ‘funniest quote of the year’. Yes, he’s right in that a good journalist is made even better when writing under a good editor; but that’s not to say that those who write outside of that framework are inferior. Bad writing and bad journalism is not peculiar to any medium. Yes, it’s true that some of the writing on design in the blogosphere is poor, but that goes for writing in print too.
I believe that both forms have their strengths and weaknesses - some of them shared. One of blogging’s most positive attributes is its immediacy and accessibility. Perhaps Blogs are better at eliciting a response - though I must admit that Rick Poynor has certainly provoked a response with his piece; interesting to note that the liveliest debate about his article has been on the web, and not in print. Perhaps that’s down to blogs being the target of his ire?
For a more comprehensive coverage of Poynor’s article, head over to Subtraction’s post, Are Design Blogs Killing Design Writing?
*Rick Poynor is author of one of my all-time favourite Typography titles, Typographica
15 Comments, Comment or Trackback
LaurenMarie - Creative Curio
How funny that several of the blogs I read post on this same subject. Of course, maybe it’s not that funny seeing as it affects you! I need to read the article in full, but my first, humble, impression is that you are right, print and blogs have their strengths and their weaknesses.
I really like reading blogs because they are more accessible (more immediate, less intimidating) than sitting down and reading a whole design magazine or book. I like the bite-sized pieces I get every day (or every other day, whatever the case may be). You can also actually discuss subjects with the authors, not often you get that with printed materials!
It would be a lot of work to have someone else editing blog posts/articles and I think it would be a significant barrier to writers entering the blogosphere. I would rather have slightly unpolished writing than no writing at all. I would hate to think that the lack of an editor would keep you or Tara or Vivien or David or any of the other blogs I read from posting such jewels, diamonds in the rough as they may sometimes be (but diamonds nonetheless!).
And to answer the question, I don’t think that bloggers are killing design writing. I love that I have access to people that I wouldn’t normally. There is no way that I would ever meet these designers outside of the Internet, and I’m thankful to have had the opportunities for dialog that blogging has brought! Keep up the good work!
May 22nd, 2007
johno
Lauren
Thank you, and a pleasure to see you here. I think what you have to say about being in contact with authors is indeed one of blogging’s greatest assets. Blogging opened up a whole new world of creative inspiration to me. As a fellow freelancer I, for the most part, work alone and thus benefit daily from the bloggers I come into contact with.
Isn’t it intriguing that that we don’t see the contrary view, that Print is bad for design writing coming from within the blogosphere; perhaps we don’t feel so threatened.
And another great thing about Design Blogs is this: the Design Blogs I read are authored by designers - that is not always the case in for-print material (I’m thinking full-time writers/critics).
I’ll be back soon…just off to secure venture capital funding for my new site–An Editing Service for Bloggers.
May 22nd, 2007
LaurenMarie - Creative Curio
I never thought about the reverse, bloggers (not) feeling threatened by the print medium. I think that it is natural for an older medium, read: those who work in it, to be threatened by a newer, emerging medium. But I doubt print, or journalists who write specifically or exclusively for print, will go away any time soon, if ever. We still have theaters (as in the kind with stages and live actors) even though we are perfectly capable of viewing movies at home. Different media offer different kinds of experiences.
Yes, that design blogs are written by designers is something I really enjoy, too! I have learned so much!
Another thing I like about blogs is that they are raw writing, not inhibited, changed or filtered by an editor. That counts for something in my book. Maybe I find something useful that the editor would’ve taken out. Not to say we should do away with editors, but sometimes it’s nice to just read a person’s thoughts. I think that is what is so intriguing about blogs. And the conversation. I love that part!
Oh, and I really appreciated your advice on my article over at Graphic Design Blog. Thank you!! See? I probably wouldn’t be able to do that if not for blogs! Yay blogs!
May 22nd, 2007
johno
Lauren
Exactly! The very thing that is reproached in blog writing (lack of editorial guidance (censorship?) is what makes it so engaging.
Personally, I subscribe to several design magazines. There’s definitely space enough for both mediums to coexist. When I’m all Mac’d out, I like nothing better than to sit down with copy of Creative Review.
The post Lauren makes reference to is here: What’s it Like to be a Recently Qualified Designer?
May 22nd, 2007
inspirationbit
I’ve just enjoyed two things - reading Johno’s response to Rick Poynor’s article and Lauren-Johno conversation. And Lauren, thanks for the “diamonds”
Personally, I’m surprised with Poynor’s attacks on design blogs. I think each medium - print and online - has it’s own advantages and disadvantages, and it’s simply unfair to compare the two and especially conclude which one is better. Poynor should brush up a bit on Einstein’s Theory of Relativity and apply it to blogging and print materials.
And it looks like Mr. Poynor is quite upset with the fact that he was unable to make a fortune with blogging: “Despite everything I have said above, I have nothing against blogs in general and if they paid, I would probably continue blogging.” Was this the reason to write such an article in the first place?
May 22nd, 2007
johno
Vivien
Thank you. I think you may have found the root of his contempt for Design Blog Writers in that final quote. And it’s almost as though, after getting it out of his system, he’s ready to conclude that blogs are not so bad after all
May 22nd, 2007
David Airey :: Graphic Design Edinburgh ::
It is a surprise to read, although without blogging (similar to yourself, Johno) I’d miss the daily interaction with other designers.
I too am a freelancer who mainly works alone, so to be able to converse with fellow professionals helps build relationships that I believe are vital to success in the industry.
You write a great post Johno, even “shooting from the hip”.
Keep it up!
May 22nd, 2007
johno
David,
Thanks for your input. Good to see you returned safely. My first reaction to his article was also one of surprise. And, yes, I think that the community that blogging inspires is something it as a medium should be very proud of.
Thanks too for the the compliment and encouragement.
Yours (shooting from the hip),
John
May 23rd, 2007
David Airey :: Graphic Design Edinburgh ::
I haven’t quite returned safely just yet, but nice of you to mention it.
I’m in Bangor, Northern Ireland (where my family live) and tomorrow I’m taking a drive to Dublin for the night. There’s a music gig which I’ve been looking forward to for some time now, though it’s a shame I’ll be missing my favourite football team play in the biggest final of the year.
You can’t have everything!
May 23rd, 2007
Marc
Since the majority of blogs are focused on one individuals tastes, likes/dislikes and generalized inquiry in to life itself from their perspective–blogs should be considered a form of self-expression.
This is like two ten-year olds trying to critique the painted hand-prints we all created in our art classes as children.
And as David touched on, about conversation and networking, most blogs are still written conversationally or stream-of-conscious.
Enjoy the blog like you do the company of a new friend.
May 23rd, 2007
johno
Marc
Thanks. “Enjoy the blog like you do the company of a new friend.” I like that!
May 23rd, 2007
David Airey :: Graphic Design Edinburgh ::
I also like that quote from you, Marc. Nicely put.
May 23rd, 2007
Aaron :: miLienzo.com
Bit late to the discussion, but an interesting one…
I think what Poyner is saying isn’t exactly wrong - and it applies to all blogs, not just design blogs - but, it’s kind of missing the point of blogging isn’t it?
Personally when I read a blog, I know what I’m reading and I treat what I read accordingly. As Marc says, blogging is a form of expression.
I actually think the rise of blogs as a option for consuming ‘news’ is an overwhelmingly positive thing - but it’s important for the reader to take what they read with a pinch of salt and understand the differences between a blog and a newspaper or journal article.
May 27th, 2007
johno
Aaron
Appreciate your comment. Never too late. To be fair, you’re right in saying that he isn’t exactly wrong. But, yes, in making his point he’s, to a large extent, simply stating the obvious, so I wonder why he mentions it all–a little like writing a post entitled, “The Sky is Blue”. And I agree with your “pinch of salt” caveat, though I think this can be extended to what’s consumed via print, or any other information source for that matter.
May 28th, 2007
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