Good friends can make the best collaborators

[debgeisler]

gerisullivan and I spent time last night and this morning discussing the graphical and typographical bits of the Renovation souvenir book. Renovation, the 69th World Science Fiction Convention, is in Reno, Nevada in mid-August, and we wanted to begin developing the look and feel of the book.

Through a variety of contretemps, we were using cover art that had not been our first choice, but which is going to work out. Then I said, "If we take this and do that with it, what do you think?" And Geri said, "I think you're brilliant!"

It is a pretty cool thing to work with someone who you know you fit with (Geri is the designer; I'm the editor.), who you know is damned good at what she does, and who thinks your sometimes harebrained ideas are either brilliant or just hysterically funny. Nothing can make me feel better than someone saying, "Good idea. It's going to be beaaaa-uuuutiful."

And then she makes it come alive.

We end up with graphical disagreements, and we hash them out. Mostly, I go with Geri's graphic eye (which is exponentially better than mine). Sometimes, she yields to me. Because that's how collaboration is supposed to work.

(Especially if someone else is doing all of the work, and you just say (as I have for 10 years), "I think you should move that one pixel to the left.")

And if you're very, very lucky, collaboration can be a true joy. Daaaaamn, but this is fun.

Comments

[calimac.livejournal.com]

I'm looking forward to it. Unlike many people, I actually look at the "souvenir book" while the convention is still going on.

[debgeisler.livejournal.com]

I actually look at the "souvenir book" while the convention is still going on.

I think that's actually illegal or immoral or something. :-) Heh. We should put an Easter egg in the book for people who read it at con.

*adds this to the list*

WooT!

[lsanderson.livejournal.com]

w00t!

[gerisullivan.livejournal.com]

"It is a pretty cool thing to work with someone who you know you fit with (Geri is the designer; I'm the editor.), who you know is damned good at what she does, and who thinks your sometimes harebrained ideas are either brilliant or just hysterically funny."

Why yes, yes is is. It's also a pretty cool thing to work with someone who sees something that's already good and makes the suggestion that sends it straight up into the brilliant zone.

I always yield to you on those. Your ability to envision and describe good things to try is one of your many superpowers.

I'm totally stoked by both the process and results of our work session. WaaHOO, but this is fun. Totally.

(And it was yummy, too. Thank you!)