Just returned from a long weekend spent camping in the Daniel Boone National Forest in Kentucky. While it was heaven for my son (pictured above), it was not quite my cup of tea. Though we did have a good time despite buckets of rain the first night and ridiculous humidity, I just don’t think having fun should require that much effort. Plus, it makes me uncomfortable to be unplugged. I know you’re supposed to take a break from online activity and it should be refreshing and all, but all things being equal, I’d rather be plugged in.
I learned something though, that I wanted to share with you before I crash into my nice cool, dry bed. Trying to read tons of blogs and process all the information that is coming at you can actually be counterproductive. I try so hard to get through all the great posts that are written every day that I rarely take the time necessary to process the information into ideas. I might have passing thoughts as I blow through all the feeds, but I don’t take the time to write things down and ruminate on the content. This weekend, I had saved up posts to read in Google Reader’s offline mode, and I spent the time in the car reading through them, writing down thoughts I had as I read and then expanding on those thoughts to more complete post ideas. It was super productive and a practice I think I need to engage in more often.
I also realized how lopsided my regular reads are. I read lots of great blogs on blogging, but relatively few on design. Help me out here- what are your favorite design blogs?
Randa – camping is not my cup of tea either – glad to see you made it back in one piece!
As for design blogs, how about HOW?
http://www.howdesign.com/blog/
I’ll second that! I used to go camping in a tent with my parents when I was a kid. The amount of times we ended up with water in the tent was unbelieveable (one o those old fashioned ones touch the side and the water come in). Never again
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What about Smashing Magazine, they have some great articles http://www.smashingmagazine.com/
@Char – I checked out howdesign – looks good, thanks for that one.
@Tara – Smashing Magazine is great, definitely one of my favorites.
Can’t help you with the techy stuff, but I know that the ‘pondering’ and note taking helps keep me on an even keel.
Cheers
I understand about the whole ‘un-plugged’ thing. And I agree 100%, getting unplugged is actually the easy part. The hard part is ENJOYING the time you spend unplugged.
I recently went on a fishing trip with some close friends, and dumped my laptop, cellphone and watch. It was pure murder, until I just decided to not care. The act of ‘Not Caring’ is what is hard. I just kept telling myself ‘I’ll get to that when I get home’. Then I was able to actually enjoy the time on the water fishing, smoking, drinking and most of all, Not Caring.
Oh how sad! I went backpacking this weekend in the Sequoia National Park and it was WONDERFUL! I love getting away from everything. I must say, though, I’m glad to get back to civilization (and very glad to take a shower!).
I love your idea about actually processing the information into ideas. Now why didn’t I think of that??
As for blogs, I read Tara’s, David’s; I think they discuss graphic design the most out of all the ones I read (not yet looked at HOW). I also like Inspiration Bit, which is not exactly graphic design, though Vivien does get into that sometimes.
I am very curious as to what you would like to read in a graphic design blog. Would it be news? Lists of what makes a good business card, brochure, website, etc? Discussions about the elements and principles of design? Practicing critiques?
@Lauren – yes, I like Vivien’s site too. What I’d like to read? All that you mentioned. “News” least of all I guess. I just want to be better at what I do. I want it to come easier and get inspiration from other designers, and to learn about their process. I learn a lot from critiques as well.
I don’t have a favorite design blog but I do have a favorite web design site. I am mesmerized by this site http://www.pixelpeach.com/index2.htm
Hi Randa,
Shame about the break. I’m actually thinking about taking a short camping break on the east coast of Scotland this weekend. Hopefully the weather holds up.
I know exactly what it’s like to return from some time away to become swamped with feed articles. As much as I try limiting the blogs I subscribe to, I find new ones quite often that I don’t want to miss out on. It’s not easy hitting the ‘mark all as read’ button in Google Reader.
We probably read the same graphic design blogs. I mentioned these three in a recent article:
Noisy Decent Graphics
Ace Jet 170
David the designer
I find it hard to unplug too. I usually have to be dragged kicking and screaming away from my machine, but once I’ve gotten over my separation anxiety I remember that there’s so much more to life!
I thoroughly enjoyed my week-long vaca away from all things internet. In another week we’re heading to Sturgis so I’m sure I’ll have to be pried away again, but I know it’ll be a great time.
UX Mag is one of my favorite sites – but not really a blog by definition. They have some excellent articles though.
I’m actually going to an island next week. Really look forward to it. Will most probably be unplugged, but not too worry about it. Hopefully, I’ll have time to reflect and come up with more ideas for my posts, and finally tackle the re-design of my blog.
I came across this blog today: http://www.webdesignerwall.com/
Looks like it’s new, but definitely something to watch for. And of course, Lauren’s blog will be the one must have in your Reader
btw, Lauren and Randa, thanks for the compliments!
Hi Vivien,
I hope you have a great time on the island! Where is it?
I’m planning a short camping trip this weekend, into the Scottish Highlands, but there’s a severe weather warning so that might scupper things.
Thanks, David. It’s just a small island, called Mayne Island, near Vancouver Island in Canada. Sometimes you can spot whales passing there, not sure I’ll be that lucky, but hopefully we won’t have any weather problems there.
Good luck with your trip.
Have fun on your trip Vivien, and David, I hope it works out that you’re able to go after all.
Thanks Randa. The weather here is so unpredictable, but I’m sure I’ll do something outdoors nonetheless.
I hope you have a great weekend too!
Thanks, Randa. It’s the last month of summer, but only this week we started getting some needed sunshine and heat here.
Btw, the forest on your photo with the son looks just like here, in BC
Ah, just go to Hawaii, David! The weather is always fine there! Even in the winter it’s 75 (F) out. It’s funny to see the locals all bundled up in long pants and sweaters
Wow, Vivien, that Web Designer Wall is beautiful! I’ll put it in my reader, but I think I’ll have to go to the site every time there’s a new article. Wow! I can’t get over the graphics and the design! Thank you for sharing!
[...] way this was brought to my attention by Vivien, of Inspiration Bit (in the thread of Randa’s Unplugged post). Thanks [...]
I grew up going on camping holidays and love it now just as much now i have a family of my own. The fredom to just sit and relax and spend quality time together as a family without any of the day to day stresses, it is just fantastic and i am sure that we will be doing it for years to come.
It is difficult to unplug when you go on holidays, especially if you have to keep an eye on your small children. About the design, I think you already did a great job. The colours you have chosen for your blog are pleasant and well combined.
I just got back from a well earned break at a spa resort in Koa Samui. I can honestly say that being unplugged and surrounded by serenity for the first time in a long time has brought me a new lease of life… bring it on!