The November 2008 issue of Wired magazine is a packed issue containing, among other things, a very nice infographic-y section on world food production and trends. Here’s just a taste of the graphic coolness.
Have a look at all of the graphics in this article here.
People are seemingly programmed to flee ugliness. Moheb Costandi’s article in the October issue of Seed magazine takes a look at how human perceptions and concepts of beauty are being investigated in the field of neuroaesthetics. There may be relevant links to website aesthetics in all of this, too.
By the way, if you’ve not seen it, Seed is a winner of a magazine (the print version!); with as much attention paid to design as to the quality of the content. This one is a true gem.
Andy Says: I guess that, in part, I have to get all anthropological on you. Humans are meant to congregate together. People are happier, healthier, more productive, and more stable when they have a routine of being around and interacting with other people. By contrast, those who work and/or live alone for extended periods of time lose quality of life in all sorts of ways and suffer emotionally, physically (+ health-wise), and sociologically. Science aside, having an office for work provides a good way to properly compartmentalize your life, to facilitate creative and technical interaction, to give you something tangible to be responsible for, and to communicate to clients and potential clients that you’re “real.” Finally, the curmudgeon in me would caution you about technology?just because we can do all sorts of things using new technology instead of “the old way” is no reason to simply opt for tech. Let technology serve you; do not become a blind slave to technology. This is people we’re talking about, not robots with computers.
Angela Says: For me personally, being able to leave work at work and home at home is invaluable to my own quality of life. Plus, it’s a lot more practical, not to mention more fun, to have instant collaboration with other designers. Just being in an environment with other creatives is motivating and inspirational and positively affects my work. So, while I could work at home (and actually do sometimes), I think having an office to work in makes me a happier person and a better designer.
Nathan Says: Here is a likely scenario: I am trying to work from home. Batman jumps on my keyboard and tries to bite the cursor on the screen [he’s a cat]. The dog then decides the cat doesn’t deserve so much attention, and a furry melee ensues. Meanwhile, in the next room, my wife turns on what sounds to be very tasty offering from the Food Network, sending my mind in search of possible lunch items. Focusing again, I check my email two more times, and decide to check the physical mailbox as well. I get back to my desk and my computer is frozen. I think you get the idea. I can never seem to get any work done at home, and when I do, it takes great efforts and generally feels contrived. Plus, I like working around my fellow creative folk… it spawns so many interesting conversations.
