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An oft-quoted line, Alfred says to Bruce Wayne in Christopher Nolan's The Dark Knight “...some men aren't looking for anything logical, like money. They can't be bought, bullied, reasoned, or negotiated with. Some men just want to watch the world burn.”

I was reminded of this line when I encountered something today that, I have to assume, almost every designer has come across at some point in their career—a slithering snake that bites you in the ass when you're least expecting it.

There you are combing through Google images (at rock bottom already) desperately trying to find a transparent PNG for some reason or another (probably a client logo) when you see it. It's large enough, it's the right format, and most importantly of all it has that sweet, grey and white checkerboard pattern.

Feeling accomplished, you close your search window and pull up your design software of choice. You grab your newly downloaded file, drop it into your artboard and… BITTEN. There it is—the not so transparent PNG.That grey and white checkerboard pattern stares right back at you as if smugly saying "Well, I didn't lie did I?"

It's at this point, through gritted teeth, that the question pops into your head. The question that begets this inane post, "Who, on God's green earth, would do this?"

Someone out there has gone out of their way to create a fake transparent image to waste the time of someone they don't know and will never meet. This mystery person knows about that damned grey and white checkerboard pattern.They know what to name the file to get your attention. They know the type of content for which someone like me might be looking. They know too much to plead ignorance. Designers, I believe this is one of our own.

Maybe somewhere out there is a designer who has been hurt. They're jaded. They got asked to make the logo bigger one too many times, and it has broke them. Maybe it's as simple as a person that never matured past middle school computer discovery. Maybe, some men just want to watch the world burn.

Please, if you're out there, and you're reading this. STOP IT. GET SOME HELP.

Originally posted on madg.com

Dear CSS,

Can I call you CSS? I know that isn’t your full name, but after more than a decade of study and admiration, I feel like I can call you something more familiar. And what a decade it’s been, too—so manychanges. I know you don’t always get the credit you deserve among the coding languages, but to me…you are perfect.

I remember when just creating a three-column layout was difficult. It felt like everything was just floatin garound in space without a purpose—like it had no vertical center. Then you flexed…and my code has never been the same. You gave my work structure and vibrancy. Whether it’s fonts or images or colors, you bring so much style to the table. You really are a designer’s best friend.

I implore you not to listen to the haters. They may say you aren’t a real language. But that’s just because they don’t know you like I know you—and I know your true beauty. So what if you’re declarative? I declare that I love you. Yes, I finally said it. I love you, and you’re the only one for me.

Please know that, however things change in the future, I will always appreciate this time we’ve spent together.

Yours,

A Thankful Designer

/* XOXOXO */

Personal websites are a special challenge. Within the constraints of a client project, visual presentation sort-of exists with bumpers on either side (at least in my experience). Stray too far in one direction and, inevitably, your course will be redirected toward the center.

You would think removing the bumpers would be all positives from a creative standpoint, but there exists an analysis paralysis that can threaten to stall the project before it even starts. Making a website for yourself forces you to consider, "What do I value?" versus "What does the client value?"

I think this website, Ethan Head V4.0, best exemplifies what I've come to value and strive for as a designer after over a decade in the field more than any previous version. That value is PERSONALITY.

I believe showing your personality is showing authenticity. It's a value I have tried to instill into this website, and (as much as is possible) into the dozens and dozens of sites I’ve been a part of creating over the years.

I see this website as an extension of myself. I hope you explore a little bit and find something you weren’t expecting. Cheers!