Grunge...My take on it.

Originally, this was to be an article I was writing for the teamps main site. Since becoming a mod, certain privileges have been tossed in my direction, thanks to pank, who is always willing to build a great community. Instead, I thought I should post this here. Mainly because I know it would reach the people I was writing it for. I am pretty sure that some of the people here never really read the front page.

So, onto the article

Design, Style and Originality
Developing your own style

As a designer, I am constantly looking for new ways to create new and original styles.

By training and experience, I am a web designer. I think in terms of pixels and hex. Many other designers would consider me a beginner, as I consider myself new to the world of design. But, I do have a pretty good idea of what works and what doesn't. I understand navigational methods, color and other elements that contribute to usability.

Right about now, you are asking yourself, where is he going with this?

I have grown tired of the latest trends. I get a migraine every time someone asks, "How do I do grunge?"

It seems that every person with brains enough to use a search engine has now found access to Photoshop or some other powerful graphics development application. This is not a discussion of warez. We all know it is illegal. In fact, due to a recent change in my ideals, I don't even have mp3's any longer.

So, what is so bad about grunge? Well, aside from the fact that everyone is doing it, it reeks of unoriginality. Every other grunge site has the same brushes used in the design any other.

The newer people to this forum typically ask the same question the first time they post a question in the Advanced Photoshop or New To Photoshop sections of this forum. And, it's not just here, it is everywhere. SL.com, TutorialForums.com, Theroot42.org have all had their share of people wanting to know how to make a site using the latest trend.

My wish is to one day, come on to this forum and find not one question or link to a grunge site. No threads on grunge fonts. No "hey look at my new grunge signature" threads in the test area. Will it happen? In time, yes, when the people who follow trends like sheep find a site built with a style that is new to them. They will imitate it. Bastardize it. Make it such an eyesore that no one can stand to look at it any longer.

I have seen many people use the word "trendy" to refer to one specific style. In fact, that style is just about dead. The folks who were designing in that style have since moved on to other styles. They have developed their own thing. They haven't followed along because someone else makes it look cool.

What most people do not realize is that defining something as "trendy" means anything that follows a trend. There is no one specific style called "trendy". Being trendy isn't a good thing. Being trendy may win you some friends online because, hey, they can't do it. But in the long run, if you follow current trends, you are still unoriginal.

So, what does it take to develop your own style? Well, imagination, inspiration, artistic talent and a little bit of luck. Chances are, what you do could have been done by one or two other people. That doesn't make you trendy however. It doesn't make you a pioneer either.

Go outside for a while. Play with your little brother. Have dinner with your family. Meet a girl. Have a beer. Smoke a little pot. Anything will help you develop yourself as a designer. Following along with the latest snazzy design style will not.

The above article was written and re-written about 10 times. I had the idea of what I wanted to say, not really sure if I got it all in there. I am still developing my skills as a writer. Don't look for a book from me anytime soon.

As always, this is my opinion. My opinion being different from your opinion does not make either of us right and it does not make either of us wrong.

Do not bother to flame me about it. I will just put you on ignore. But, if you have valid comments on either my writing or my opinion, please post them.

Clap Clap Clap Clap Clap Clap Clap Clap Clap Clap Clap Clap.

Been working on this for a couple days, it just seemed to fit the tune of the thing:

http://www.rdi1.com/personal/grunge.jpg

Bad spelling is trendy. :D

There's a front page? I'm glad you posted this here instead.

My thoughts exactly Axiom. At first it was a cool and refreshing type of art, now it's just a played out old trend. Don't get me wrong there are some great grunge artists out there, but I'm just sick and tired of everyone trying to imitate this style.

Cool article.. Cheers for Axiom.. I agree totally

Now, ... is my grunge style original or trendy??
Cause I developed my first grunge site by accident which is v5
And I've never seen a grunge site before...
The only reference to my first grunge was Carbon Four's tutorial

That really eye sore red site .. :p v5 was accidental.. v5.5 was the start of me using some brushes

v6 was some major brush ownage :P ..
thanks to qtone of course...

Basically... What it looks like is that Axiom is sort of venting... :D

I will put it like this side. Only cause I like you and I dig your site. I also notice that you seem to be pretty serious about this whole "art and design" thing.

In a way, your site is not trendy. In another way it is. Let me explain.

Because it is obvious that you are in the process of developing your own style while using bits and peices of current trends, your site is not as "trendy" as it could possibly be.

On the other hand, there are some obvious brushes from other sites, and there are some(many more in fact) that I have never seen. Either you found these on the net somewhere I havent seen yet, or you made them yourself. That in itself, makes your site original, because your blood sweat and tears went into ever element of the design.

Im not venting. If I had done that, I would have been alot more insulting to the people I am directing this towards. I am more or less giving advice to some of the folks in the past couple weeks or so who's only concern is "I want grunge, and I want it right now" and not "Hey, I would really like to learn photoshop/paint shop pro so that I can become a better designer, and by the way, can someone give me some examples of grunge how-to's"

Grunge is not new. Infact, most of the popular sites that are "grungy" are not original in style. Perhaps their layout and design are, but the first grunge type site I ever saw is no longer on line, and that was 2 years ago.

Nice to know that... Thanks...

Influences of my work are from old sites that i know of from the past. Those people i get to know from PankPages and Andyart

Flatcat, Catalyst and Fineline are some of the artist i really like back then. Mixing some of the current stuff and elements from the past together..

Maybe this thread will turn into somesort like DesignIsKinky's InSight

Again, good job Axiom

I doubt it will turn into a DiK thing.

I don't have that much insite. I definatly don't have that kind of skill. However, perhaps it will inspire someone to close that browser window when they are working on their next layout.

I have seen several people with sites posted here that look oddly like someone elses.

Nice article ax. I think you spent more time critisizing people for doing the wrong thing rather than suggesting how they can improve. That's why the article kind of came across like ranting or venting. If you included more positive suggestions and solutions to the problem rather than just beating the problem into the ground, I think it would be a better article and perhaps more helpful.

I just wish people could forget about the word trendy.. *shiver*