Realistically, time spent in bathroom is the only amount of real privacy we get in our daily lives. A moment or two of solitude can spark the greatest ideas.

After two equally annoying experiences, I’ve been able to accommodate my bathroom creativity. I can hope that you can do the same.

Experience #1

I was brushing my teeth and the perfect headline came to me. I had been wrestling with our website copy that had been place-heldheld with Lorem Ipsum. What happened? By the time I spit out my toothpaste and ran to find a notepad, I’d forgotten it.

I stashed a notepad and pen underneath the bathroom sink.

Experience #2:

I was in the shower and a spark came to me for a UI concept that had had me stuck for weeks. I preceded to drip water all over the stashed notepad.

Now, I sketch wireframes on my bathroom mirror with some stored dry erase markers.

The truth is, inspiration often times strikes at the most inopportune times. Whether you’re shaving at the sink, sitting on the throne or showering, embrace it and capture that lightbulb idea before it slips away.

Too much information? I don’t care – I’m writing this from the toilet.

(as seen on Medium)

Much like the rest of the world, we at Snipp have been having an internal debate on the tradeoffs between skeuomorphic and flat design. After some heated arguments, too much beer and vodka, a few petulant silences, heaps of scorn flying back and forth and one (overly) emotional outburst, the only thing we agreed on was to disagree. So we decided to take our little spat public.

What Are We Talking About?

Flat design is exactly as it sounds; it is a design aesthetic that eschews three-dimensional realism. There are no text effects, no simple single-color buttons, no shadows, no dependency on real world items, just simple, two-dimensional design. Windows 8 is perhaps the most well known example of this style of interface design, being entirely flat.

Windows 8 Start Screen. Completely Flat! (via Fast Co. Design)

Skeuomorphic design refers to the practice of “borrowing” real world objects or design elements and reproducing them in a different (in this case digital) context, even though they may have no functional use in the new context. The most famous digital examples of this aesthetic come from Apple: its Calendar, iBooks and Notes apps that look exactly like their real-world counterparts, down to the stitched leather binding, wooden bookshelves and the ripped page edges.

Apple’s iCal (via support.apple.com)

Casey: Flat is the Future.

At Snipp, we recently published two landing pages that highlight some innovative new solutions we’ve been working on: SnippCheck & SnippWine. As the lead designer and front-end developer, I found myself designing these pages ‘flat’, which is what started this argument. Here’s why I think flat wins:

1. Mobile And More.

We connect to the digital world with an ever-increasing number of devices, all with various resolutions and screen sizes. Flat design, by virtue of its simplicity and the disavowal of unnecessary graphical assets, makes it a lot easier to design for multiple screens.

By relying on CSS-driven attributes that are rendered in-browser, flat designs are more responsive and optimized no matter the resolution or size of the screen. 

Also, on small screens with the minimal real estate they afford, flat design puts the focus where it should be: on the functionality.

2. It’s Better Design.

Flat better represents today’s post-modern minimalist aesthetic and gives designers the ability to bring typography, layout, color theory and white space to the forefront of design strategy. 

Instead of putting tedious thought and effort into gradients, shadows, bevels, etc., designers and web strategists can spend time on the visual hierarchy and the actual interfaces, not just stylizing them.

Flat also avoids the reliance on outdated, real world items that younger generations have had no exposure to – like flipping a rolodex or turning a radio tuner.

3. It Fosters Creativity and Innovation.

Not relying on skeuomorphic items allows designers to reimagine interfaces and interactivity in new and exciting ways. It is foolish to adhere to physical constraints when they are not applicable in the digital world. 

Clear is a great example. The list and task-making app stands out from all others by ditching the checklist metaphor that is prevalent in virtually every other rival app. Instead, the designers focused on how users could interact with a task manager through touch (drag, pinch, swipe and expand), color and typography.

4. It Translates Globally.

In targeting a global audience, it’s important to employ design that is independent of any one specific cultural context.Incorporating artifacts specific to a particular context in your design risks the entire interface becoming lost in translation.

Ritesh: Why Skeuomorphic Design (Still) Works.

1. It Works.

People seem to forget that skeuomorphism forms the basis of the user interface for modern day computing. The “desktop”, “files”, “documents” and “folders” are all skeuomorphic artifacts. Even today, examples of skeuomorphism litter our everyday digital landscape (quite literally, as in the case of the Trash can). Most icons are skeuomorphic (“save”, “print”, “search”) as are most of the basic Web elements (pages, checkboxes, buttons, sliders). The best argument for skeuomorphism is the empirical, pragmatic one: it’s good because it is everywhere and it has survived the test of time.

2. It Makes Technology More Approachable.

Skeuomorphism provides recognizable context to new technologies, making them more approachable and easier to understand. For example, using the finger pointer cursor to indicate a hyperlink that can be clicked or providing a shutter click sound when taking photos on your phone both leverage tropes from the real world that people are familiar (and therefore more comfortable) with. 

3. It Provides Better Usability.

Skeuomorphism can provide better usability to digital apps by mimicking their real-world counterparts . For example, making the calculator interface on an iPhone look like a real calculator allows someone to start using the application immediately, because they are familiar with how a physical calculator works. 

4. It’s Fun and Whimsical.

Let’s be honest: all function and no form make for very little fun. Adding skeuomorphic design touches to interfaces gives them a personality and makes them stand out. You may not need it, but you can’t tell me the first time (and every time since) you swiped your finger across the iPad you didn’t get a little smile on your face. On the other hand, flat design can be, well, flat.

The Consensus

The fact is that “skeuomorphism/flat” is not an “either/or” question. The answer as to which design philosophy is most appropriate to pursue needs to be examined on a case-by-case basis. Each brings advantages to the table. Skeumorphic design is better suited for interfaces where familiarity and approachability are at a premium whereas flat design works well on small screens and for expert interfaces. Adherence to one shouldn’t preclude the use of the other where appropriate – although in moderation (Apple, take note).

Is that a cop out answer? Perhaps.

Will it lead to better design? Probably.

1. Frank Ocean – ‘Channel Orange’

2. The Lumineers – ‘The Lumineers’

3. Alabama Shakes – ‘Boys and Girls’

4. Tame Impala – ‘Lonerism’ 

5. Punch Brothers – ‘Who’s Feeling Young Now?’

6. Kendrick Lamar – ‘good kid, m.A.A.d city’

7. Jack White – ‘Blunderbuss’

8. Father John Misty - ’Fear Fun’

9. Purity Ring – ‘Shrines’

10. Japanandroids – ‘Celebration Rock’

HONORABLE MENTION. Michael Kiwanuka – ‘Home Again’

HONORABLE MENTION. Cat Power – ‘Sun’

I was thinking back to all the fun things that happened during that time. What a whirlwind! Here is what happened, from the best of my memory:

• I graduated college. Four great years solidified with a final waltz across the Quad as a grabbed my diploma. I leave a better person filled with lifetime of memories, friends and lessons. James Madison was my home.
• I went to Disney World. Kristine and I spent a week down in Orlando celebrating the graduation. We had a blast being “kids” one last time before the real world hit. We stayed at Animal Kingdom Lodge where every morning we were greeted by wild animals in our backyard.
• I got a job. That’s right… a real, big-boy job. I started in early June as the marketing manager at a small mobile marketing & technology company called Snipp. It’s been busy and a great learning experience so far.
• I moved to DC. The rest of this post will basically focus on how great my time has been so far. The gist of my living situation; great location, tight spaces – right now, I wouldn’t trade that for anything.
• Went to my first Nats game. I think the grand total for the summer was four games. Not bad for just getting into town. Nats are hot right now and I am pumped that I saw some great games (including two Strasburg starts).
• I went to a lot of concerts. Running list of bands I saw: Milo Greene, XPoNential Festival, Dave Matthews Band & Gary Clark Jr., Peter Bradley Adams, Old Crow Medicine Show, Lumineers & Milk Carton Kids, My Morning Jacket & Band of Horses, Lady Antebellum & Darius Rucker and Y La Bamba.
• I watched ‘Butch Cassidy & The Sundance Kid’ on the National Mall. It may have been un-Godly hot that night, but it was pretty awesome to watch Redford and Newman on a giant screen with the lights of the Capitol building in the distance.
• I sold merch at a sold-out show in exchange for my ticket. Milo Greene is an up-and-coming group who graciously let me into the show on the condition that I’d help sell/sort merchandise. It was a blast hanging out with them and catching a great set, the night before their first TV debut on Letterman.
• I got backstage weekend passes to XPoNential Festival. My friend Dan and I traveled to Philly to check out the Lumineers (who kindly hooked us up with the passes), Dawes, Wilco, Avett Brothers, Hold Steady, Dr. Dog, Delta Spirit and many, many more. Met a great group of people who made us feel so welcome in Philly.
• I (kinda) learned how to surf. After a great show at XPoNential, we drove through the night to Ocean City, NJ and woke up to the waves the next morning.
• I fell in love with the Farmer’s Market (and peaches). I guess you really don’t appreciate things until you no longer have them. Fresh food was never hard to come by in Frederick or Harrisonburg and I really took it for granted.
• I caught the food truck bug. Literally the only thing you need to know is Far East Taco. Best truck ever.
• I saw a tiger eat a rabbit. In my first visit to the National Zoo as a DC resident, we saw pandas, snakes, turtles having sex and a tiger scaling a pole and mauling a rabbit (ok, it was dead and placed up there by the keeper, but still!)
• I went on vacation to Deep Creek Lake. Beautiful, relaxing weekend on the lake with my family.
• I visited a Virginia bourbon distillery. After a great client meeting, we took a little pit stop and found the John J. Bowman Distillery.

In honor of this momentous occasion, I’ve made a typographic poster of the most iconic quote by a student at JMU.

I cannot believe that four years of college have passed by! It feels like yesterday when I was heading down 81 for the first time. I’ve had so many amazing memories at James Madison University and would like to thank everyone who had a part in that. I am beyond blessed to have been a part of such a great institution.

This poster was designed and inspired by Ira Spitzer: “JMU is not just an institution of higher learning, but it is a spirit, it is an atmosphere, it is a way of life that I am glad to say I have lived.”

My debut shot is a thank you to the dude who drafted me, Graeme. I wanted to keep up with the dribble theme so I made a fake jersey inspired by the new Washington Wizards jerseys.

What do you think?

An epic, modern day take on the classic “Three Little Pigs.” Definitely worth a couple minutes of your time to take a look at this “advert.”

Here is a link to the story behind the advertisement: http://www.creativereview.co.uk/cr-blog/2012/march/guardian

“This advert for the Guardian’s open journalism, screened for the first time on 29 February 2012, imagines how we might cover the story of the three little pigs in print and online. Follow the story from the paper’s front page headline, through a social media discussion and finally to an unexpected conclusion” – YouTube description of The Guardian’s advertisment

See the post in action: http://abduzeedo.com/daily-inspiration-1070