About the heated discussion that I apparently missed, I’d just like to share a couple of thoughts, since I feel I should say something too: I also do the kinds of design-oriented posts that that Drawar post would criticize severely. But I also can’t claim to be a designer; I just enjoy sharing this kind of content with readers, which, as I understand it, is also where Scrivs came from. (And I’ve got other roles to fulfill, too.) With that said, I liked your post here because it encourages people to look for design inspiration through an unlikely source (I can’t say much about what this blog’s direction has been lately yet since I’m only a new subscriber). I think Vitaly has his priorities just about right. I’m sorry that the higher class of professional designers feel they’re being shortchanged by what design posts have been putting out nowadays, but for someone like me, everything still seems perfectly fine, and the discrimination that seems to be rising because of that very thought-provoking post makes me feel threatened to learn more about the field in my own way.

I actually feel apprehensive about posting this since I don’t think I’m that ready to have angry responses thrown my way yet. But I think it’s important that you guys know we little (or puny!) guys still appreciate all you do. So, thanks.

“(After all, I’m sure a 4 year old could also paint some abstract art out there too) ”

Thanks for the link to my Flickr photo. I think. However… I’m not 4 years old and I didn’t paint it!

I would rather have some ‘filler’ color schemes in between than just an exhaustive post once a month. I think both have an important place and I will keep coming back for all of it.

That said, I can see the reason for criticism, that drawer post did illuminate a big shortcoming of the industry and used Build Internet as an example, which makes them a great target, but it doesn’t take much prodding to see that along with the lists the Dunn’s post some pretty unique stuff. I suggest you go back to their early stuff, before they got this huge surge of work, and see what they did back when they had free time.

Thanks for the insight. It’s certainly our goal to promote substantial discussion, but we’ve also got other roles to fulfill. I think Vitaly’s response to the Drawar article captures our mentality best.

That being said, we’ll be putting in an effort over the coming months to make more substantial posts. This has given us plenty to think about for Build Internet’s future.

Having said that…

Zach, I think in this particular article, you are doing yourself more of a disservice than the design community at large. If you constantly revert to running articles that are fun and easy to cultivate (lists, color schemes, etc..) you’ll find your readers diminish down to those who will accept that kind of content. But if you push your personal envelope a bit more, include more of your opinion and experience in using design & layout principles with living images & examples, you might hold on to more readers. Better yet, they can get to know YOU on a more personal level as the brand of BuildInternet!. Nothing but good things can come of it.

Granted, the ‘Quantity over Quality’ perspective works with some things in this world. but if you want to improve the experience of anything (e.g. websites, video games, movies…) this approach quickly loses value to those things of quality. That’s why quality costs more, that’s why quality takes more time, and is less abundant.

If your mission with BuildInternet! is not to consistently create a greater experience for your readers, but instead get more visitors, click-throughs and page hits in the short term, then I am wrong, and you should keep posting articles like this. We all know it works for other sites.

And to some point, there’s a trend in creating such list articles. Trend that attracts visitors. Why fight against the current?

Sorry to hear you think that. I think people reading that article on Drawar need to remember something. When you run a blog, you also have the right to post what is fun for yourself.

The Drawar article calls for originality in design posts, not a new-found scrutiny for those that aren’t to your particular taste. That’s something that is more characteristic of the arts community (After all, I’m sure a 4 year old could also paint some abstract art out there too)

You’re certainly entitled to your opinion, but different people enjoy different things. Color Scheme Inspiration is the oldest series on this blog, and has been well received over the past year. Not everyone may love them, but that’s perfectly fine. If our average reader enjoys about 70% of our monthly posts, we’ll count it as a success. We’ve learned early on that trying to please everyone just makes you insane.