Is slow design a social media solution? #UNPLUG #SMWreporter [Comic]

An exemplary social media reporter requires marketing strategy background, savvy trend analysis and… COMICS! I am a marketing management strategist, and also a painter and graphic novelist. One social media trends is towards VISUAL content, like COMICS, so I had some fun with it.

Going through my RSS feed (now Feedly to ifTTT to Buffer) I came across a discussion in Fast Company of Slow Design by Jeremy Finch titled “4 Ways Slow Design Will Make The Super-Fast World We Live In Better”. In response to digital overload, Baratunde Thurston took a 25 day social media vacation and shared his experience with the hashtag #UNPLUG. Inspiring source material for a comic!

Slow Design Comic #UNPLUG #SMWreporter

Digital overload causes pressure. A speedy blue Facebook icon with three legs symbolizes the overwhelming three column news feed design. The third leg is about to aggressively kick down a wall.

Baratunde Thurston champions work-life balance among social media’s super-connected. Stopping to reconsider reality is like a red brick wall. Unplugging sparked a conversation on the future of human computer interaction.

Slower interface design may be the solution to build a more satisfying social media experience. How many times have you groaned at Facebook design changes and “updates”? Slow design will greatly influence future retention and engagement.

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What do you think are the strengths and design fails in social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Google+, Tumblr, Pinterest and Foursquare? Where should their design boldly go? Future MMW posts will explore Slow Design further and include a Video Log on the making of this Slow Design COMIC!

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Readers! Check out Social Media Week and their sponsor Nokia. I have volunteered and attended many Social Media Week events in New York. I have reported, live tweeted, and had amazing conversations with the founders of Mutopo, Tumblr, LinkedIn, and even Forest Whitaker all at Social Media Week. I can capture the essence of a breakout session with artistic photos, insightful videos and a unique COMIC! I welcome the opportunity to cover the upcoming #SMWBerlin conference as a #SMWReporter and encourage everybody to check out all the SMW educational training videos and LiveStreams!

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Keep it social! Share and enjoy!