As you might know, we Habari folks get around to a handful of
conferences and events every year.
For example, in 2007 I went to Ohio LinuxFest and BlogOrlando in a
single weekend. I met other Habari developers at these events, and I
met new friends that I hope to have turned on to our project.
The business cards and stickers we made are nice giveaways, but I think
it would be fun to have some interesting swag to give away at some of
these events. Our budget for these things is virtually zero, so we
can't afford the really cool stuff, but then I got this idea about buttons.
Buttons can draw interest to a brand. They're easy to produce and not
that expensive. Unlike stickers, which are great for notebook lids or
other surfaces, buttons can prominently display the brand on a notebook
bag strap, whereas advertising affixed to the bag contents remains
hidden within it. Also, buttons have a nice tangible weight to them -
even if they're not that expensive, they feel like some effort has been
taken to produce something worthy of saving from the rubbish.
In short runs of specific unique designs, they can be collectible - so
if they're placed in conference swag bags, two people may get completely
different buttons. Optimistically, I think this might lead to people
wanting to collect the multiple designs, and generate the kind of
discussion (the kind where we don't have to personally talk to each
attendee) that we'd want from a conference.
There's one problem. Here is my lame first pass at a button design:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/asy/2423935919/
You can see in this photo the size of the button I want to create (very
small and cute) and the utter lameosity (lameitude?) of the design.
This is where you come in.
If you are willing to create a design for CC Public Domain release
(http://creativecommons.org/licenses/publicdomain/ primarily because I
have no idea how to give "by" credit on a tiny button, and it's just a
hassle), and I choose your design from any lot that are submitted, then
I will print a limited run of your buttons to distribute at events to
promote Habari. I will also mail you a complete set of so-far available
printed designs, provided I don't see you at an event and hand them to
you personally.
I'm reserving the right to choose the designs primarily because I'll be
putting my own money out for the button printing. Still, I think it
will be fun if the other designs show up here for commentary, and will
most likely accede to the community since it's obvious that I suck at
design. If others want to contribute toward the button funds, we can
talk about that, too, since I'd hope that if this works, we'll be able
to crank these out for any event.
I have posted the template for the button design here in these two formats:
http://files.asymptomatic.net/1_INCH_TEMPLATE.psd
http://files.asymptomatic.net/1_INCH_TEMPLATE.png
The actual design must fit within the dashed lines, but a background
color should extend beyond the solid line. Don't include the template
as part of the file. Please post the file as a PNG in the same size as
the template. I can't assume that any button design is dedicated to the
public domain, so please make a small note of it in your reply. "I
dedicate this work to the public domain," for example.
As a general design note, please be aware that these buttons are REALLY
SMALL. A lot of tiny text in the 450px^2 resolution that is available
simply won't show up. The button should probably say "Habari" or
"habariproject.org" on it somewhere, even if it is small. My thinking
is that a compelling image will draw people in to look at or collect the
buttons, and then they'll see the fine print and wonder what we're all
about.
So that's my button idea. Can you help?
Owen
