But it would be more impressive if we couldn’t clearly see (in the pic on the left) colored stickers and a cube popped off…
Really embracing constraints would be using only the colors on stock cubes… and manipulating the colors into position without resorting to poping the things apart and reassembling them. Now that would be more than just cool and really impressive!
Actually, rumor has it that the patient who created it wasn’t huge at all. Just a regular size guy…
Richard D. Bartlett
on 23 Feb 07
I read about this artist last week, in the latest edition of Hi-Fructose – he categorically said he doesn’t pop the stickers off the cubes; in fact he uses a cheap knock-off of the original Rubik’s which don’t even have stickers.
This concept is so essential in the current web culture. I can’t tell how many times our clients ask us to build them a “LinkedIn geared toward this audience” or a “Myspace for this crowd” and then get sticker shock when we discuss budget, timeline and resources. I think people have unrealistic expectations these days because they’re so used to the Microsofts and Amazons of the world who offer so much to so many. What they fail to realize is that these companies are supported by teams of thousands. Companies making a name for themselves these days are solving smaller problems in a more memorable way.
It has always been my opinion (shared by many) that constraints breed creativity.
I used to do user interface screens for textmode dialup BBSs back in “the day”. I eventually joined the Creators of Intense Art, an ANSi group. We put out monthly artpacks filled with ANSi artwork.
ANSi artwork is textmode art created using the character palette of Ms-DOS. 8px by 16px monospaced characters. 80 characters by 25 characters on the screen at once (with unlimited vertical scrolling). 8 background colors and 16 foreground colors.
Even with all those constraints, i’ve seen people do insanely creative and brilliant things that really show the potential for style and creativity that constraints can give you.
The part of the puzzle that is really constraining the creativity of web designers and developers is ignorance of the constraints and the constraints of time and money.
the web is really constrained by too many unknowns. What browser is the user using? What speed is their connection? What size is their monitor? Can they see and hear? Can they see color?
Actually, I’m writing the new sixteencolors.net in Rails with LordScarlet.
It should be done… any month now. :P
Frank Denbow
on 01 Mar 07
Sick!!
This discussion is closed.
About Jason Fried
Jason co-founded Basecamp back in 1999. He also co-authored REWORK, the New York Times bestselling book on running a "right-sized" business. Co-founded, co-authored... Can he do anything on his own?
Dave!
on 23 Feb 07Cool, yes.
But it would be more impressive if we couldn’t clearly see (in the pic on the left) colored stickers and a cube popped off…
Really embracing constraints would be using only the colors on stock cubes… and manipulating the colors into position without resorting to poping the things apart and reassembling them. Now that would be more than just cool and really impressive!
The Outlander
on 23 Feb 07However, very cool ….
Lucas Castro
on 23 Feb 07Ok, that needs a huge patient to create… I’m ‘really’ impressed, but why Rubikubism?
Diego
on 23 Feb 07Oh my god!
Anonymous Coward
on 23 Feb 07“Ok, that needs a huge patient to create…”
Actually, rumor has it that the patient who created it wasn’t huge at all. Just a regular size guy…
Richard D. Bartlett
on 23 Feb 07I read about this artist last week, in the latest edition of Hi-Fructose – he categorically said he doesn’t pop the stickers off the cubes; in fact he uses a cheap knock-off of the original Rubik’s which don’t even have stickers.
So shhhh, Dave.
Alex
on 23 Feb 07This concept is so essential in the current web culture. I can’t tell how many times our clients ask us to build them a “LinkedIn geared toward this audience” or a “Myspace for this crowd” and then get sticker shock when we discuss budget, timeline and resources. I think people have unrealistic expectations these days because they’re so used to the Microsofts and Amazons of the world who offer so much to so many. What they fail to realize is that these companies are supported by teams of thousands. Companies making a name for themselves these days are solving smaller problems in a more memorable way.
Thomas Aylott
on 24 Feb 07It has always been my opinion (shared by many) that constraints breed creativity.
I used to do user interface screens for textmode dialup BBSs back in “the day”. I eventually joined the Creators of Intense Art, an ANSi group. We put out monthly artpacks filled with ANSi artwork.
ANSi artwork is textmode art created using the character palette of Ms-DOS. 8px by 16px monospaced characters. 80 characters by 25 characters on the screen at once (with unlimited vertical scrolling). 8 background colors and 16 foreground colors.
Even with all those constraints, i’ve seen people do insanely creative and brilliant things that really show the potential for style and creativity that constraints can give you.
The part of the puzzle that is really constraining the creativity of web designers and developers is ignorance of the constraints and the constraints of time and money.
the web is really constrained by too many unknowns. What browser is the user using? What speed is their connection? What size is their monitor? Can they see and hear? Can they see color?
Seth
on 24 Feb 07Thomas you were in CIA? Ex Remorse member here… :)
ANSi packs are exactly what I thought about when I saw this too….
For anyone interested in the long dead scene, go check out: http://www.sixteencolors.net/
Thomas Aylott
on 25 Feb 07Awesome.
Actually, I’m writing the new sixteencolors.net in Rails with LordScarlet.
It should be done… any month now. :P
Frank Denbow
on 01 Mar 07Sick!!
This discussion is closed.