Post by urbancinderella on May 30, 2005 3:17:41 GMT
Submitted by D5
Previously appeared in the May Edition of the Herald
D5: Hello, UC. How are you doing?
UC: Very sleepy, actually.
D5: I'm sure this past month has been quite a hectic one: one that included the change of ownership here at SSD and one that will be featuring the long awaited release of ProBoards version 4. How have you been able to cope with the changes and the stress that came with those adjustments?
UC: Full body massages. Definitely.
As of right now, it's a bit hectic trying to get everything organized... but I think that once many of our new opportunities and programs get up and running, it will be smooth sailing from then on.
D5: What are some changes you would like to implement so that SolidSnake Designs becomes well-known in graphic design world?
UC: The title of a Resource site is holding us back. Designers want to be part of a community, not part of a resource site. We have to move from this shop mentality and into that of an apartment.
At the moment, there are inside and outside improvements that need to be done. Inside of SSD, it's obvious that members don't feel they can contribute into the community anymore. Small programs help with this. The art group and The Herald give members a chance to become part of their community. There are numerous contests scattered around through the board- as well as low-tone "practice" exercises that offer each and every person the chance to contribute to something that is gathered as a community... and yet show off their own personal talents at the same time. Chillout is also a place that is quickly improving (for that we have only the members + Joe to thank... they really have stepped up to the task and I couldn't be more proud of them)... and we are aiming for more light-hearted things that do not specifically involve designing... but can just be bonding in the community.
As for improvements that are external, we need to change our facade. As we stand now, we have potential to become a great community like Pixelex, Neosynthesis, depthCORE, or even DeviantART but are hiding behind a resource board. To get past this, we need attention from those who are outside of this. This means affiliating with places that are going to bring us new design members. The old saying, "You are who you associate with" may well prove true.
D5: The members of SolidSnake Designs and "rival" graphic site, Zanmato Designs, have formed an intense rivalry and hatred, you could say, for each other? What are your views on that?
UC: There is never a shortage of haters for any place, thing or person. The fact that one person at ProBoards Support makes a post about what awful service we have or how snotty the staff is shouldn't matter: it's pride in our community that does. (And after reading through the rumors discussed on ProBoards Support when SolidSnake Designs underwent so many changes, I'm not apt to count their gossip as much more than hot air.) As for rivals in other graphic sites such as Zanmato Designs... I personally only care about the friendly rivalry. Sure there are members who have a certain dislike for SSD, just like there are members here who dislike others. But after spending time at both Zanmato Designs and G101, I'm more convinced than ever that there is less hatred out there and more rivalry. If this can be morphed into a sort of affiliation with each other, a kind of bond between the large graphic sites, I think we would each be happier. But though I consider myself a friend of Nadim (and view his input highly), I would never push this matter.
D5: Members who contributed so much to the community have recently left; notably, Ash, Alan, and Peter. Is there anything you would like to say about their departure and what they have done to form such a large community?
UC: Everyone must move on. The circumstances of their leaving were each different and will only be discussed by them, if they so wish. But I can honestly say that they have not changed apart from not being around here. Peter seems happier to have more time to himself, Alan is exploring new things, and Ash is getting his schoolwork done without the pressure of having to work here. In the end, their departure should never take away from the time they spent here. I was awed by these three when I first arrived, and though the awe has worn off into fairly good friendship, their talents will never cease to amaze... or be missed.
D5: Lastly, are there any things you would like to say to the members? A final word?
UC: I've droned on long enough, I think. There's no need for more "SSD will be reborn" type propaganda because... it already has. There will come a time when it will be harder to keep the new growth going, but I am confident the community can handle it. The members have always been amazing, no one could hope for a better group, and I hope that everyone continues to remain and help SSD as it improves.
D5: Thank you for your time, UC.
Previously appeared in the May Edition of the Herald
D5: Hello, UC. How are you doing?
UC: Very sleepy, actually.
D5: I'm sure this past month has been quite a hectic one: one that included the change of ownership here at SSD and one that will be featuring the long awaited release of ProBoards version 4. How have you been able to cope with the changes and the stress that came with those adjustments?
UC: Full body massages. Definitely.
As of right now, it's a bit hectic trying to get everything organized... but I think that once many of our new opportunities and programs get up and running, it will be smooth sailing from then on.
D5: What are some changes you would like to implement so that SolidSnake Designs becomes well-known in graphic design world?
UC: The title of a Resource site is holding us back. Designers want to be part of a community, not part of a resource site. We have to move from this shop mentality and into that of an apartment.
At the moment, there are inside and outside improvements that need to be done. Inside of SSD, it's obvious that members don't feel they can contribute into the community anymore. Small programs help with this. The art group and The Herald give members a chance to become part of their community. There are numerous contests scattered around through the board- as well as low-tone "practice" exercises that offer each and every person the chance to contribute to something that is gathered as a community... and yet show off their own personal talents at the same time. Chillout is also a place that is quickly improving (for that we have only the members + Joe to thank... they really have stepped up to the task and I couldn't be more proud of them)... and we are aiming for more light-hearted things that do not specifically involve designing... but can just be bonding in the community.
As for improvements that are external, we need to change our facade. As we stand now, we have potential to become a great community like Pixelex, Neosynthesis, depthCORE, or even DeviantART but are hiding behind a resource board. To get past this, we need attention from those who are outside of this. This means affiliating with places that are going to bring us new design members. The old saying, "You are who you associate with" may well prove true.
D5: The members of SolidSnake Designs and "rival" graphic site, Zanmato Designs, have formed an intense rivalry and hatred, you could say, for each other? What are your views on that?
UC: There is never a shortage of haters for any place, thing or person. The fact that one person at ProBoards Support makes a post about what awful service we have or how snotty the staff is shouldn't matter: it's pride in our community that does. (And after reading through the rumors discussed on ProBoards Support when SolidSnake Designs underwent so many changes, I'm not apt to count their gossip as much more than hot air.) As for rivals in other graphic sites such as Zanmato Designs... I personally only care about the friendly rivalry. Sure there are members who have a certain dislike for SSD, just like there are members here who dislike others. But after spending time at both Zanmato Designs and G101, I'm more convinced than ever that there is less hatred out there and more rivalry. If this can be morphed into a sort of affiliation with each other, a kind of bond between the large graphic sites, I think we would each be happier. But though I consider myself a friend of Nadim (and view his input highly), I would never push this matter.
D5: Members who contributed so much to the community have recently left; notably, Ash, Alan, and Peter. Is there anything you would like to say about their departure and what they have done to form such a large community?
UC: Everyone must move on. The circumstances of their leaving were each different and will only be discussed by them, if they so wish. But I can honestly say that they have not changed apart from not being around here. Peter seems happier to have more time to himself, Alan is exploring new things, and Ash is getting his schoolwork done without the pressure of having to work here. In the end, their departure should never take away from the time they spent here. I was awed by these three when I first arrived, and though the awe has worn off into fairly good friendship, their talents will never cease to amaze... or be missed.
D5: Lastly, are there any things you would like to say to the members? A final word?
UC: I've droned on long enough, I think. There's no need for more "SSD will be reborn" type propaganda because... it already has. There will come a time when it will be harder to keep the new growth going, but I am confident the community can handle it.
The members have always been amazing, no one could hope for a better group, and I hope that everyone continues to remain and help SSD as it improves.D5: Thank you for your time, UC.
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