Timeline for Why do so many graphic designers suck at making gears?
Current License: CC BY-SA 4.0
17 events
| when toggle format | what | by | license | comment | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 15 at 13:48 | comment | added | Chris H | The thing about a metaphor, visual or otherwise, is that it's open to (mis)interpretation. If enough of the target audience interpret impossible gears as meaning that the logo owner is trying to hard to be technical but hasn't got a clue, that could be a problem. Picky hardware nerds (like me and the OP) are probably uncommon enough in the general population that it doesn't give an impression of incompetence to too many people. But if they're using gear logos because they're making a product aimed at engineers, more people will notice and not like it. In other words know your audience | |
| Mar 14 at 17:11 | history | edited | Scott | CC BY-SA 4.0 |
deleted 16 characters in body
|
| Mar 14 at 15:00 | comment | added | leftaroundabout | Your examples aren't really fitting here. A car with unusually sized wheels would still be able to drive, a bell with a too large clanger would still sound, etc., even if it's not ideal. But gears that don't mesh wouild simply not do at all what gears are supposed to do. It's more like drawing a car where the wheels are all pointing in completely different directions. | |
| Mar 14 at 11:59 | comment | added | Chris H | @Scott you might be entertained by this Artist Asks Strangers to Draw a Bicycle From Memory… Then 3D Renders The Results | |
| Mar 14 at 1:05 | comment | added | Mentalist | @Rafael I agree that "form vs function" doesn't need to be a dichotomy, but can instead be "form and function"; a synergy. Although one should be prioritized over the other, and if the appropriate one is not given priority, the design will not work well. Apple is known for designing products that are both functional and have good form. Usually function is given priority, and form augments function. Whenever it has been the other way around (think of the 2013 "trash can" Mac Pro) the results we not so well received. Imagine a gear icon with good form that has functionality as a bonus. | |
| Mar 13 at 16:54 | comment | added | Rafael | Form vs function is a false dichotomy. The form itself has many functions, even putting aside specific form-dependent functions like aerodynamics: Communication, and aesthetics, for example, which translates into other functions like efficiency, sales, etc. | |
| Mar 13 at 11:50 | history | edited | Scott | CC BY-SA 4.0 |
added 7 characters in body
|
| Mar 13 at 11:45 | history | edited | Scott | CC BY-SA 4.0 |
added 7 characters in body
|
| Mar 13 at 11:39 | history | edited | Scott | CC BY-SA 4.0 |
added 223 characters in body
|
| Mar 13 at 11:31 | history | edited | Scott | CC BY-SA 4.0 |
added 1281 characters in body
|
| Mar 13 at 11:25 | comment | added | Scott | (typo there which I fixed).... Well.. that is just poor due diligence. I'd never create gears for engineers that wouldn't actually work. But I'm aware not everyone even considers it.. and those that are aware.. sometimes just can't be bothered.. *shrug.... | |
| Mar 13 at 11:23 | history | edited | Scott | CC BY-SA 4.0 |
added 1281 characters in body
|
| Mar 13 at 11:19 | comment | added | joojaa | "I won't *only * worry about functional gears if working on a piece that is destined to be seen by engineers or mechanics" Lol, i think that ive seen a lot of logos meant only for engineers that have nonfunctional gears. In fact i have not seen a functional gear maybe more than one or two times. | |
| Mar 13 at 11:15 | history | edited | Scott | CC BY-SA 4.0 |
added 1281 characters in body
|
| Mar 13 at 11:11 | comment | added | joojaa | Yeah i dont think a icons readability would increase by using a real gear shape. But the number of time graphic designers have cut these depicting gears at my work, when they make moving posters, seems to indicate that at least some designers think that gears actulally work like that. So its important for all participants to undrstand this fact. | |
| Mar 13 at 9:12 | history | edited | Scott | CC BY-SA 4.0 |
added 79 characters in body
|
| Mar 13 at 9:01 | history | answered | Scott | CC BY-SA 4.0 |