Cutting Edge Creative

Cutting Edge Creative

Written by craig coffman

I am wondering if people really know what cutting edge is? I do not profess to have the answer, but I can certainly see what is not. That is, there are many people making a living off the concept of being 'forward thinking' and such. In my opinion, all they are really doing is finding a bit of clever design, or a style, and lifting it. Sure, sure, sure. All things have been done before and nothing is new and blah blah blah. However, that does not mean that someone is cutting edge simply because they mimmic another style. They are cutting craftsmen, perhaps.

I bring this up because of listening to future designers at a local bookstore. They talk about wanting to be edgy or hip or whatever. All they are really saying is that they want to look like X or feel like Y. That is fine, but it is not what they are saying. IF they are after cutting edge, they need to go into uncharted territory and explore. Colors and pre-conceived notions of what the end product ought to look like need to go right out the door, as there is no way to guess.

I should mention that I am not talking about technology. I understand that everyone cannot simply make-up a new technology for every product. The curve is already so steep that we cannot keep up with all the new big things. But design, that could be limitless. Therefore, to me, it is frustrating when someone claims to be cutting edge creative when they really are a rehashing of something cool.

I just wish people would be more comfortable with acknowledging they want to look like someone else. It truly is a rare breed which can handle not fitting in. That really takes guts (or enough market share that who cares). I can respect good design, and even more, designers who can spot good design. People just need to better understand what they are saying, and then their path will become clearer.