[ubuntu-art] Open Letter to Ivanka Majic / Canonical Design Team

[John Baer]

Ivanka,

As a follow up to the UDS-N discussion titled “Reinvigorate the Ubuntu
Artwork Team” I would like to offer additional comments for your
consideration.

It is agreed there is risk to embracing a team who has not performed well in
the past and to the risk they may not perform well in the future. However,
community is what drives Ubuntu and I believe there is a solution which adds
value.

Consider for the moment receiving a request to create a new logo for the
Ubuntu One web site. Accompanying this request are the requirements and
notes from previous discussions.

In the current paradigm you may assign this task to a Design Team member you
feel will deliver the best result, or you may offer it to the member who has
availability, or you may solicit a volunteer who expresses interest in doing
the work.

Folding the “Artwork Team” into the mix I would consider the following
paradigm.

1. Take the request and create a specification. The specification should
have enough detail an artist ( Design Team or Artwork Team ) can create
submissions for your consideration.

2. Post the meta data to a web site as a task and the specification to the
wiki. Meta data in this context may include elements like request number,
description, owner, due date, links, etc.

3. Include as part of the specification the instructions on how to offer
submissions.

4. Assuming a Ubuntu artwork repository, the site would permit the uploading
of images and the creation of thumb-nails. In a blog like manner users may
comment as desired. The site may manage versions or it can be assumed the
last submission is the most current version.

5. At some point in time you or the business owner may select the best
candidate, announce the decision to the group, and mark the request as
complete.

To mitigate the risk an Artwork Team member may not participate or the
quality of the submissions are in-adequate, plan to engage a Design Team
member. You are no worst than the current paradigm and as this process
matures you will find participation and quality become non issues.

Other paradigms such as contests would work the same way.

The result in my opinion is folks will flock to this team to learn, to
contribute, and to be a part of a winning community.

Design Team members will assume leadership roles expanding contributions in
ways I can not imagine.

Respectfully,

John Baer
Artwork Team
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