Cool or Stupid?

[CrashX]

I'm getting a new rMBP, and I bought a clear Kuzy case that I may return because I opted instead for a leather sleeve.

But I thought this was clever - given the reason we buy these things is to protect our shiny new Macs. I was thinking of buying it and applying it to the clear Kuzy case.

I'm an adult and run my own business, so this would have to fall into the category of "hip clever" if I were to pull it out in front of clients.

It just struck me as kinda cool - but I'm weird.

 

[Renzatic]

Honesty? It's a bit of both. But then again, the greatest things usually are.

I'd get it.

 

[Apple fanboy]

I'm getting a new rMBP, and I bought a clear Kuzy case that I may return because I opted instead for a leather sleeve.

But I thought this was clever - given the reason we buy these things is to protect our shiny new Macs. I was thinking of buying it and applying it to the clear Kuzy case.

I'm an adult and run my own business, so this would have to fall into the category of "hip clever" if I were to pull it out in front of clients.

It just struck me as kinda cool - but I'm weird.

Depends on your business, but I'd say it's more suited to a student.

 

[CrashX]

Well - another thing - this is a photo of a decal, taken at an angle. They didn't have any other photos - and it's definitely just stupid if it doesn't look the least bit real.

There's another decal of paint just dripping down the back - but that one didn't look real to me at all - and it also completely covered the logo.

If I put it on the cover - no way am I sticking a decal on my new machine - also wondering if it will ruin the "shock" effect. Like a prank that people are fooled by, but doesn't make them feel stupid. If I saw someone pull a brand new machine out that looked like it had been trashed, that would seem "clever" to me. The IronMan, Snow White, and the rest of the "decals" are definitely too collegiate. This may be as well - it just happened to strike me as kinda cool. Hoping the initial response would be a "double take" - is his machine really trashed? Oh, no... but I like that I was fooled by it for a second.

As for my business model, I always dress overly casual. I did wear a suit once for an interview that was airing on the news - but usually not. And I felt more fake wearing that suit... but my gf at the time demanded I dress formal

I'm actually very shy and yet I do my own "cold" sales - so if it would help as an "icebreaker" or whatever, it's worth a shot.

But if it screams "childish tool", then not a good idea. So, if it's no different than the Iron Man or Gothic Snow White, etc. - those are definitely too collegiate. And this one may be in the same league.

 

[Michaelgtrusa]

I like it. 

 

[east85]

Suitability would depend entirely on what kind of business you're running or working in.

 

[CrashX]

I'm in "creative" - so I'm lucky that my parents passed down genetic that make me look younger than I am. I basically have to balance being extremely knowledgeable and professional while pulling off the whole "bleeding edge" creative bit. I'm guessing most creatives have their different ways of dealing with the issue.

So clever is good - sophomoric would be very bad. I was really just looking through the cute decals for my girlfriend when I ran across that one. I'm probably gonna get her the goth Snow White, which hopefully isn't all over the place already

Basically - if the people who are questioning it based on my business would have a lower opinion of someone who pulled a bit of a "prank" with the decal - then it's a no go. Clever is cool, childish is no good.

My reaction to it is "That's freakin' awesome!" But I can be very childish.

 

[Michaelgtrusa]

This better?

 

[djplaxe2109]

This better?

uh worse.

 

[Jessica Lares]

I think you should think less about giving someone a shock, and instead on giving your potential client a first good impression.

I've been in college for six years now studying art, film, and music. The last time I saw decals on someone's machine was in high school. So yes, I would find it very sophomoric.

Those stickers that go around the Apple and such, would actually be more tasteful. You're a creative, come up with a decal that incorporates the Apple logo into what you do.

 

[monokakata]

I'd say it mostly depends on your clients. If they're young and either hip or think they are, and you're older . . . it might be helpful. But if they're "suits" I'd say no.

It's a vexing problem. I'm probably a lot older than you are, and interact regularly with 20-somethings and 30-somethings in the worlds of writing and photography. After we get to know each other, being old's never a problem. But at the beginning, it can be. I find that I have to show that I understand their world, drop a few allusions, and, yes, drop a few carefully-placed curse words or x-rated references. Or if I'm showing my work, I'll always begin with whatever I have that's the most out-there, and then work back to the other stuff.

I'm working on a self-interview and book excerpt for an on-line magazine now (about a book I have out) and I have some choices as to which aspect of the book I should feature. I know my audience is mostly under-30, and about evenly-split M/F and my task -- like yours -- is to get them interested in my work, and not stop to think that I could be their grandfather.

In the end I've decided to use an excerpt that involves sorcery, beheadings, extrajudicial killing, and My Lai instead of what's actually a more powerful piece that's effectively a love story. I have the once chance to get that crowd not to dismiss the Old Guy before reading his work, and I'm going with badass.

So I do think that there may well be times when that decal can work in your favor.

 

[tech4all]

I've been in college for six years now studying art, film, and music. The last time I saw decals on someone's machine was in high school. So yes, I would find it very sophomoric.

Plenty of people have decor on their laptops. It's not just limited to high school.

 

[Jessica Lares]

Plenty of people have decor on their laptops. It's not just limited to high school.

Oh, I know. I see them all the time in tech podcasts hosted by people much older than me.

 

[SPNarwhal]

i think decals look tacky

no pun