It's just old and forgetful.
Remember when color TV appeared? Ok, maybe you don't, and I know I wasn't around, but I know I enjoy watching movies in black and white sometimes. Color TV is the mainstream, and it's now a big deal if a director shoots a film in black and white. It's a conscience choice. Same with design.
The new wave with design is the web. If it doesn't work online then it won't work at all! Going viral, social media, web 2.0, who cares?
Print does, poor print.
The fact is, people still like print. It's just the convenience of computers that are making them take over. Check this out: http://boingboing.net/2010/03/04/free-ebooks-correlat.html
There's nothing like picking up a book and flipping through it, or putting up a wicked cool poster on the wall. I enjoy reading articles on my Blackberry while riding the T, but I always have my sketchbook with me to take notes on something or to use as a reference.
The fact is, yes, print is dying, but not in the way you'd think. Print is dying as a standalone against the web, but used as an addition it can be a powerful tool. What are your thoughts on print?
If you've ever worked for a printing company, you know the wonderful aroma of freshly printed stock! I used to love checking the very first pages coming off the presses and often would hang around in my office doing personal stuff (like bills) and then running out back to check my jobs!!!
ReplyDeleteI just cannot imagine purchasing an expensive manual or even coffee table book on-line. If I'm spending $20-$75, I need to browse through the entire book to see if this is what I want. This is especially important for manuals for programs, technical, etc. Even if one is interesting in learning more about a craft, such as beading, they find out that one size does not fit all. Also just because critics push a certain author does not mean that you yourself will care for the approach.
Having a book in your hands also allows you to highlight the most important points so that when going back to review, the points are easily found. You can curl up with a book, keep it beside you when trying out stuff, paperclip pages, make notations and cross-ref's . . . even enjoy reading it in the tub. I highly doubt that one would do this with a 'reader.' Also the feel of stock . . . ahhhhhh, there are some really good ones ;-)
Much agreed, thanks for the response!
ReplyDeleteAgreed. I am the research editor of an online newsletter called Editors Only (http://editorsonly.com), and we just published an article on this very subject (http://www.publishinghelp.com/editors/archives/2010/03/entry_268.html).
ReplyDeleteRight now, I think that a lot of people are panicking and cutting their print editions completely because of the immediate cost savings. This can prove to be a potentially lethal error, though, and this is why it is so important to assess your audience's unique needs and preferences. Association publications are one noteworthy example--association members tend to view the print edition as a membership perk. Some even prefer it to the online edition.
Have you read about the "Power of Print" campaign that a group of magazine executives has launched? It's an interesting concept, though I'm not sold on its effectiveness.