It’s in the Cloud
The Cloud is all around. Everywhere you go, everyone is talking about the cloud.
So, where is that really?
What does “In the Cloud” really mean? Do people outside of IT have any idea where and what the cloud is? How about us inside IT?
Does it matter? Isn’t the point of the term really about the fact that it doesn't matter where it is to the user, it all just works? Well, yes. Nevertheless, as a quest of mental model exploration, indulge me just a little, please. Hey, am I having an argument with myself? Sort of, mainly just a discussion. It happens a lot.. I can argue all sides for hours about UX issues and experiences, like this one.
The cloud is a metaphor, of course, but of what? Find an explanation at Metaphor Fun and Prophet
The cloud gift
So far, several pieces have ended up as gifts of appreciation or of congratulations as in the case of the cloud team with my group at Trend Micro. I love when a piece of art becomes part of a social interaction. It becomes something more than an object. It is a conduit, a conductor of people to people relationship, in this case, a gift between friends or colleagues.
Light among the clouds
Working in layers is akin to the way a graphic designer creates icons in Photoshop or Illustrator, breaking the major portions of theimae into layers superimposed atop one another. So this has layers in metal is actually nearer the mental model of the designer during the creative process than is a finished flat icon. In metal these layers define a physical space in the gap in between them which contributes to the sense of overall volume every bit as much as the solid meatal , yet with a light and airy contribution to the overall aesthetic.
Additionally, the gap permits ambient light from the physical environment to enter the art, resulting in infinite variations of contrast and highlights, from glowing edges to a neon effect to quite literal silver linings. Place a piece of art on you desk in vicinity of a window and watch the magic happen throughout the day.
Enjoy some flat relief
Next Phase?
I’m happy with the way this looks. However, it occurred to me that this appears mysterious. And the fact is, most people are already struggling to understand the cloud, what it is, and so on. So in the interest of usability, I now working on some new art that will utterly explain the cloud and how it works in clear detail. Feedback welcome.
Truly Educational? Sure. Why not?
Actually one of my IT colleagues pointed out how this resembles an actual cloud architecture with an origin server near the center and numerous edge servers around the perimeter. These would physically located geographically to serve the target region with the optimal response time. I know what you're thinking, "geographically? You mean, like in the ground and not in the sky?"
So, is the Cloud a good thing?
SURE!
I hope you enjoy the cloud series. I have much to say on this topic, so I expect to be continuing with it a long while, perhaps indefinitely.
I continue to explore variations on the popular cloud icons that very pervasive with the tech world as well as other less known visual motifs. So look for more and diverse images from me relating to the cloud.
infrastructure
Cloud as it relates to infrastructure is my target subject next. New millennium digital ideas represented in last-century industrial motif, this is cool and interesting for me to pursue. I hope you will find it interesting as well. I believe you will. But if you don’t that’s okay. I will.
