Very interesting discussion, I can't believe I missed out on this.
I agree with the points made about computer skills. Everything I know in terms of design is self taught from books and my own studies, I do not start Graphic Design until next year. However recently I was taking a look at a design grad show at the Ontario College of Art and Design. We were looking at stuff and some I really liked, some I didn't like. My friend with me hardly liked any of it, I asked why. He said we could do so much better. so I thought for a bit, and asked why. He said most of this stuff is easy to do, I disagreed. Now he is going into graphic design as well.
So I tried to explain, technically most of the work your looking at is simple to recreate, or produce the same results on a computer, but coming up with a concept, devloping it, refining it until it works and communicates what you want is a whole process a lot of people do not understand. It is sad really, the computer is just a tool.
I often admire the 60s and 70s swiss graphic design works, Muller-Brockmann, Hoffmann, etc,,, It was simple and efficient. Less is more, I think that will always be true, and I think with the computer making it so easy to place type anywhere and add a photoshop filter to something its easy to get carried away without even thinking if you cannot see past the computer. Furthermore, I think it can be the same with clients. You may do something really simple that could be highly effective, but they dont always see that for what its worth, they expect something different and can be easily impressed by a gross looking bevel lol.
When i did one of my early logo's I started directly on the computer too. It ended up turning out semi-decent, but the end result was rather literal and could have been done better now that I look back on it. The next logo I started by doodling on tests during kinese in high school
and all over my sketchbook I drew out concepts and different variations and scribbles, notes etc. Than I went to the computer and refined the concepts I had developed and as a result I it worked very well now that i had explored an array of solutions and I was even more pleased with the outcome than previous works. Designers should never abandon the good ole pen and paper.
Anyways was just ranting with whatever this topic came to mind lol.
Peyote, i also want to comment on your website. Very simple, and I don't know if this is your goal but I have talked about the following idea with others. The pdfs are really great on your site and I have always believed that educating the client on some basic things can really help justify your choices down the road when working with them, then they can understand things from a design perspective. Too many clients try to control what the outcome looks like when they don't understand sometimes. After seeing some of the work from your company Peyote, I am definately looking forward to your concept.
I think posting the concepts would be a great idea, let people give critiques or something regardless of which ones goes through. getting a good critique is a geat way to improve
Blah anyways my website is in my sig, actually working on a new identity as we speak for a company in England.