Error Magnets

Warning: obsessively nerdy.

Strolling through an exhibition recently (not designed by us, of course) I noticed … an error magnet. 

Argh! My nemesis.

What’s an error magnet?

It’s a minor creative idea likely to cause a major production error. A pointless little design detail only designers like me would love.

High risk, no reward. Error magnet.

This particular one was a “fussy alignment.” The gallery floor tiles were meant to line up perfectly with the floor tiles inside the floor of a big display case. But they didn’t. The case had to be moved slightly because a power outlet was in the way. All those perfect alignments became dozens of crooked, glaring mistakes.

It was an idea no one would have noticed if it had gone right. But it became an error everyone could see, when it went wrong. Better to have made the case floor pattern completely different.

High risk, no reward. Error magnet.

That same exhibition had a graphic of a tree spanning several different panels. The graphic didn’t align on any of them.

Argh!

See? I warned you. Nerdy.

Here’s the thing: 
Error magnets are minor creative ideas likely to cause major production errors.

Have an experienced eye look over everything — before error magnets become errors.

Warmly,
Jonathan

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MtM Word of the Day:

Open plan layout. A type of floor plan layout for an exhibition that has flexible, non-linear visitor flow. It allows visitors to go where they like, stay longer in areas they choose, and gather as they wish. This can suit certain learning styles. (Contrast with "linear path" layout, where visitors move along a pre-determined route.) Both good. Just different.