"Without an idea, design becomes wallpaper"

“Disciplines are getting more democratic and accessible. For the first time, almost everyone has access to the technology that makes designing relatively easy. As a result, we’re surrounded by ever increasing numbers of graphic designers. The only way to stand out in this crowd is to work from a good idea. Without an idea, design becomes wallpaper: sometimes pretty but ultimately left in the background. As more and more “design-like-wallpaper” heaps up, the value of ideas can only increase. After all, if computers are a shortcut around craft skills, the only point of difference left is thinking.”

…read it all:  http://www.manystuff.org/?p=9944