The Hairy Arm Tactic
Oliver Burkeman - The Hairy Arm Tactic
These two articles - one in Behance and the other on journalist Oliver Burkeman's site - are about a tactic called 'micromanagement': one graphic designer was subject to constant complaints by a difficult client. And this was in the days before computers.
So, every time, he would deliberately make a mistake by photographing his arm in the layout. The client then complained about the hairy arm (but otherwise think the layout was all good), so the designer would then ask if he removed his arm from the layout, would he be able to get on with the job.
Of course, 'micromanagement' is commonplace, especially when managers and supervisors are expected to coordinate the work of other people lower down on the hierarchy. Deliberately making mistakes makes them feel they are doing something 'useful'.
Maybe it's not such a bad idea after all ;)
cheers,
Night Owl
Oliver Burkeman - The Hairy Arm Tactic
These two articles - one in Behance and the other on journalist Oliver Burkeman's site - are about a tactic called 'micromanagement': one graphic designer was subject to constant complaints by a difficult client. And this was in the days before computers.
So, every time, he would deliberately make a mistake by photographing his arm in the layout. The client then complained about the hairy arm (but otherwise think the layout was all good), so the designer would then ask if he removed his arm from the layout, would he be able to get on with the job.
Of course, 'micromanagement' is commonplace, especially when managers and supervisors are expected to coordinate the work of other people lower down on the hierarchy. Deliberately making mistakes makes them feel they are doing something 'useful'.
Maybe it's not such a bad idea after all ;)
cheers,
Night Owl
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What is your own take on this situation? How do you rise above the rot?