I have to say I'm a little surprised to hear Jon somewhat diss designers who value "craft" in their work...as if it is fetishized.
He appears to associate craft with = only beauty. Suggesting designers care more about the way a particular easing-curve moves, rather than how the product works. I do understand what you are trying to say, but strongly disagree with this limited definition of craft.
Craft and craftsmanship always encompasses the whole -- it is always about how the entire product works together and functions. Not just one element or component of a design system. And craft is absolutely not just "surface & texture". Steve Jobs was talking about craftsmanship when he said, "It's not just how it looks, it's how it works."
Jobs cared about "the whole" product so much, he even had Jony Ive make sure the inside of the machine mechanics looked bad-ass, because he knew competitors were going to take that machine apart -- and he wanted to fill them with absolute fear of what they would be up against, lol. ;)
The very best Engineers I know, also value craftsmanship in their own coding work...they always try to teach the value of craft to the youngers just starting out when they can.
That said, I was a fan of Teenan+Lax when it existed 🙌. Interesting interview. Thank you both for your perspectives.
Nicely done. Looking forward to more.
Thank you! Good to get some feedback. If there’s anyone you’re interested in hearing from, let me know and I’ll see what I can do :)
I have to say I'm a little surprised to hear Jon somewhat diss designers who value "craft" in their work...as if it is fetishized.
He appears to associate craft with = only beauty. Suggesting designers care more about the way a particular easing-curve moves, rather than how the product works. I do understand what you are trying to say, but strongly disagree with this limited definition of craft.
Craft and craftsmanship always encompasses the whole -- it is always about how the entire product works together and functions. Not just one element or component of a design system. And craft is absolutely not just "surface & texture". Steve Jobs was talking about craftsmanship when he said, "It's not just how it looks, it's how it works."
Jobs cared about "the whole" product so much, he even had Jony Ive make sure the inside of the machine mechanics looked bad-ass, because he knew competitors were going to take that machine apart -- and he wanted to fill them with absolute fear of what they would be up against, lol. ;)
The very best Engineers I know, also value craftsmanship in their own coding work...they always try to teach the value of craft to the youngers just starting out when they can.
That said, I was a fan of Teenan+Lax when it existed 🙌. Interesting interview. Thank you both for your perspectives.
Great discussion but I couldn’t make out the name of the tool he said he (almost) enjoyed using.