Avoid Venting Your Spleen By Doing This

You can save a lot of angst by being better prepared

Every morning do you suffer from the same old thing? Your people are behind schedule because your magazine still doesn’t have all the content it should, and there is a lot of finger-pointing. But the real fault is that you just haven’t figured out how to make a well-constructed smooth-running publication. Six Degrees of Preparation is AURAS Design’s bible of magazine design and production. Use it to make your life easier and your publication better. Just click on the image and download.

Nine Things That Make Me Vent

1. Unsexed Apostrophes

We’ve been doing desktop publishing for 30 years. How come people haven’t figured out how to make a correct apostrophe instead of those straight-up-and-down thingys? And on the same note, why can’t people figure out when to use an apostrophe and not an open quote? Hello, it’s “boys ’n’ girls” not “boys ‘n’ girls.”

2. Not Taking Responsibility

Two of the most infuriating phrases in the world are, “It’s not my fault.” and, “It couldn’t be helped.” Throwing up in the back of a car might not have been helped; letting a job get printed without checking the final alts is not. The correct phrase is, “What can I do now?”

3. Expanding Scope

When clients ask, “Would you mind doing this one little thing while you are at it…” I always want to say, “Remember that detailed scope-of-work you signed? That is what I am supposed to do.” But I always say, “Sure.”

4. Software Updates for No Reason

It’s bad enough developers add a few useless features and a whole number to their software version, but touting it as a whole new version is just hype. Hey, I’m talking to you Quark. And really, Adobe, do you think adding the ability to put lines between columns of type is worth an update? At least you are forcing us to pay a subscription anyway.

5. Weaponizing Deadlines

Writers, designers, and illustrators have all pulled this at one time or another. Delaying work so that they get their way because the deadline is too tight when they could have easily taken notes and done the alts is just…so obvious.

6. Marketing BS

Once I saw a pack of cut-up fruit labeled “Gluten Free.”

7. Not Admitting You Are an Idiot

Everyone does stupid things, but upon realizing it the correct response is, “Oh that was incredibly stupid,” not, “See that extra line I made with my Sharpie? Louisiana is in danger!”

8. Deals That Aren’t

Sorry, but one for $50 and two for $99 Is not a “deal.”

9. Refusing to Apologize

There are no winners when someone has wronged you—or you them—and refuses to admit it. (See it’s Not My Fault and Not Admitting You Are an Idiot) Besides, apologies only cost a dime—or two for 19 cents.

Avoid Venting Your Spleen By Doing This

You can save a lot of angst by being better prepared

Nine Things That Make Me Vent

Contact Us