The primary deliverable is that it must support sales. The magazine covers shown compete for eye-time with several other magazines, some mints, gift cards and cheap flowers in green cellophane. If yellow text, a 2:1 distribution of columns, cheesy photos and ALL CAPS works, then that is good design.

Something I had to learn when I was a machinist is that ‘when’ is as important as ‘what’ to a customer. The formula designs you are criticizing accomplish both goals. The covers are completed in time for the printing schedule and the customer eye-time is captured, leading to a certain number of sales.

Ta-da. Those covers meet all their goals: the designer can go home for the weekend.

Since I’m more into web design, this post was quite informative for me. I have done CD cover design, some ticket designing and stuffs like that. But never got an opportunity to do a magazine or a movie poster design.

I certainly do love to work on those areas as well.

And yes, you have a good blog website look.

Cheers.

6TON - “Design-minded” is a very vague word. Really, revenue-minded, functionality-minded, and usability-minded are what drive design-minded companies. I completely agree that there is good work out there, just not in a lot of major circulating media.

Cody - I agree, the themes of imagery or style can be very common in design trends.

Paul Gibbons - When you classify a designer, you are not looking at the whole industry but only a narrow portion that makes ‘good design.’ When in fact, the more commonly found designer is actually paid to produce more than invent. What you so lovingly call “Everyman Design” is actually the majority of design. So, it seems, you missed the point of this post since you’re actually agreeing with everything I’ve said by pretending to fight against it.

Steven - Finding something different is not for the sake of it. It is for the benefit of it. We find design that works BETTER or improves on design that isn’t perfect. If there’s a better way, we as designers should be looking for it.

Joe Maguire - Great points, and well put.

Andrew - True. Many more than there should be, unfortunately.

G - Of course these are all very obvious points you make. What I’m saying is that even if you have a grunge band, instead of using the same grungey look, try something new. The opening scene of Se7en is a perfect example of how a genre can get a new twist.

Ben - Very true, that does define a good designer. A great designer will go above and beyond and will be able to push the envelope of the companies brand and take it to new heights.

Ben Hunt - Good points.

trendoffice - Well put, thanks.

Crimson Fox - Is it not true that artwork can function as design and vice versa? I believe they can and often do perform similar tasks in creating interest and directing usability and visual elements. One may be more abstract than the other, but they are based very much on the same principles.

Greg - That’s great to hear a real life situation where new and fresh design can thrive!