Kiss of Death

2008 Jul 07
Comments 47
Published In Design
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Nine designs that use the Slanty Photo Treatment

I don’t play the lottery. But I suspect that each time you lose, you feel like your odds of winning get a little better.

More than ten times in my career, I’ve pitched the Slanty Photo Treatment™ to clients, and not one of those designs has ever made it online. You know the look: a tastefully matted photograph sits on a page, just slightly askew as if someone dropped it on table. Extra points are awarded for a careful sliver of drop shadow, or the illusion of a stack of photos.

Over time, it became the running joke that by using the treatment, I was taking my design out of the running. A more paranoid designer might consider this an omen and try something else. Not me. I’m way too stubborn for that. Each time a client shot down my design with the photo treatment, I secretly consoled myself, “They just don’t get it, the next client will understand,” and continued chasing the design dragon.

I know the Slanty Photo Treatment is not a revolutionary technique. Tons of sites use it. And I’m not even overly enamored with it either. Perhaps it was just the quiet simplicity of the style, or the nice suggestion of an analog medium on screen, something I tend towards anyway. Whatever it was, I jumped at every opportunity to use it. I wouldn’t say that any of the times I used the photo treatment it was inappropriate—I considered each one—but it’s also clear that they were stylistic choices. That’s why they never stuck. Style can be a good thing, adding a bit of personality, life, or oomph. But when used without specific function, it’s not necessarily the right choice either.

So, I’m hereby retiring the Slanty Photo Treatment from my repertoire. Not just because it never made it and not just because the design ether is trying to tell me something, but because I need to move on already. If you haven’t tried the treatment yet, it’s all yours—just keep it away from me. Hell, just based on my track record alone, it’s bound to sell soon, right?

*Some photos have been substituted to protect innocent designs.

Comments 47
Design Tags Grey, Omnes, Orange, White
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47 Comments

Permalink for this comment Kari Pätilä says: July 07, 2008

I’ve had the pleasure to use the treatment once. Since there weren’t any complaints I basically based the entire design on it. Fun times.
Permalink for this comment Mike M says: July 07, 2008

I can’t say I’ve ever had much success with the slanty photo treatment either, but why retire it so soon? Your next project just might be the one that gives the technique its big break for you…if not that one, then the one after it.
Permalink for this comment glass says: July 07, 2008

I’ve been using the slanty for too long. This realization pains me only a little, as I know everything will become just that much easier in the future when it comes time to production.

(aside: I’m enamored with your new site design/system)
Permalink for this comment Dave Rau says: July 07, 2008

Maybe I should retire it too as damn near every piece in my folio uses it.
Permalink for this comment Hostile Monkey says: July 07, 2008

HOSTILE MONKEY INCLUDE SLANTY PHOTOS IN ALL DESIGNS.

HOSTILE MONKEY NEVER MAKE IT PAST PROPOSAL.

HOSTILE MONKEY NEVER GIVE UP!

HOSTILE MONKEY THINK JSM QUITTER.

HOSTILE MONKEY ALSO THINK JSM SICK OF THE SILENCE COMING OUT OF “ABRIEFMESSAGE.COM”.

JUST LIKE HOSTILE MONKEY.
Permalink for this comment Seth says: July 07, 2008

I guess I’ll pay someone else to design the VC multibilliondy funded SlantyPhotoTreatment.com!

O well…was a good idea while it lasted.
Permalink for this comment Jason Armstrong says: July 07, 2008

I still like it if it’s any small consolation :)
Permalink for this comment Greg says: July 07, 2008
Permalink for this comment Aaron Riddle says: July 07, 2008

I have had clients specifically request this treatment. In fact, I only a moment ago had a client request this treatment for use on one of their testimonial side bars on their Web site. Maybe we should switch clients? :-)
Permalink for this comment Andrew Green says: July 07, 2008

Oh, but I find myself irresistably tied to the S.P.T.™, no matter how much I try to resist. How I wish real-world photo prints still had a white border.
Permalink for this comment Andrew says: July 07, 2008

I don’t have a comment on the subject matter, but I really like the way that when I come back to read an article, I always get a new way to read it. Today’s 2 column was a pleasant treat.
Permalink for this comment Peter V Cook says: July 07, 2008

I’ve used a slight variant, call the Slanty Document Treatment™ that has received a great reception from clients. It works well as a way to show a printed document (ie. study, report or article) on screen and lends credibility to the piece.
Permalink for this comment Neil Scott says: July 07, 2008

I’ve often thought about retiring all analogue effects from my designs as a protest in favour of web authenticity.

It’s not as bad as the coffee ringstain, but the slanty photo thing is quite unnecessary.
Permalink for this comment Billee D. says: July 07, 2008

I share your pain, Jason. I too have tried this treatment on numerous design comps only to have the client shoot it down before I could even explain the reasoning behind my choices.

What’s worse is that I was going to use this treatment on my upcoming website design to showcase portfolio pieces in a Flash animation only to scrap the design and start from scratch. Not even I can give it a fair shot! ;-)

I did have a potential client steal the idea from me and have some other designer basically rip my design for less money…No link love here for them, but just Google “owens motel outer banks” to see it for yourself. I would even be willing to send you the original for comparison (which I think was much better and actually did the effect the right way).

Seems as though the effect is doomed or cursed. Good riddance, slanty photo! ;-)
Permalink for this comment Franky says: July 07, 2008

Style is purpose enough man! But I suppose some feel the slanty photo says, “wedding album” more loudly than it says, “analog medium on screen” :)
Permalink for this comment Jason Santa Maria says: July 07, 2008

@ Mike M :

I can’t say I’ve ever had much success with the slanty photo treatment either, but why retire it so soon? Your next project just might be the one that gives the technique its big break for you…if not that one, then the one after it.

It’s that kind of thinking that got me here! :)
Permalink for this comment gist says: July 07, 2008

This would be funny if it was really a sneaky way to get all the designers that read this blog to be influenced into also giving up on the Slanty Photo Treatment.

THEN in a years time, when the treatment is as old as Rounded Corners Cuz They Asked for It Style… you’d come back with a vengeance as is it were fresh and new.

Good try. I’m going to purposefully dedicate myself to doing a Slanty Photo Treatment now to foil your plans!
Permalink for this comment Matt Radel says: July 07, 2008

The problem with it is that it’s really easy to over-do. Usually I see it on sites that blow the texture, dimension and “slanty-ness” out of the water – and the slanted photos are just overkill.

I’ve used it (sadly, not recently) as a way to create some tension with otherwise rigid designs – just to break things up a bit. The clients I’ve done it for seem to really dig it.

I wouldn’t give up JSM – I bet you’ll get the itch to resurrect it soon. :)
Permalink for this comment Jon says: July 07, 2008

Aw man, I feel so busted right now! I love the Slanty Photo Treatment. Way too much to ever give it up.
begins humming Rick Astley…
Permalink for this comment Mikael says: July 07, 2008

Hi, Jason.

I just noticed a small thingie. Your RSS stream is called “Articles: Articles”.

Thought I’d let you know.
Permalink for this comment Jason Santa Maria says: July 07, 2008

@ Mikael : Yeah, that’s leftover from a mishap right after launch. For some reason, feedreaders are still hanging on to that old name despite the fact that it’s been changed in the feed. I suggest either renaming it in your reader, or unsubscribing and re-subscribing to get rid of it.
Permalink for this comment Kirk says: July 07, 2008

Hmm…how about you start to push the smudgy finger prints all over the photos look?
Permalink for this comment Renaud says: July 07, 2008

Andrew Green: many good photo processors should still offer border prints. I always get my prints with a border and matte finish (I tend to dislike glossy finish).

I live in suburban Detroit and use and love Adray for my processing. They offer online processing too.
Permalink for this comment Shane says: July 07, 2008

I would agree you shouldn’t throw in the towel, because sometimes it is a useful treatment. I’ve used it a few times, and it works! It adds a little character to the website, and people like character!
Permalink for this comment Gene says: July 07, 2008

Good to hear that at 30, you are still growing as a designer. I’m looking forward to the coming of a new decade.
Permalink for this comment Kevin says: July 07, 2008

Though, now that you’ve retired it your next client will ask for it. A little reverse psychology there?
Permalink for this comment Ian Muir says: July 08, 2008

I’ve actually only used in once, about 6 years ago. http://www.mgmnh.com, but haven’t used it since.
Permalink for this comment Jason Santa Maria says: July 08, 2008

@ Kevin : Gah, you’re on to me! I have managed to push the treatment through on three of the projects pictured above, but all of those fell through or otherwise changed direction after our engagement (but before going online).

I am more than happy to leave it behind. It’s so easy to fall back to your design toolkit when faced with certain problems. I’m looking forward to forcing myself to try and find new solutions.
Permalink for this comment Steven Southard says: July 08, 2008

Slanty pictures are too much work! You’re lucky that you never had to make a site with images like that.
Permalink for this comment Jim Jeffers says: July 08, 2008

I was able to sort of get away with that for a client last year. I thought it turned out alright – of course they were to busy devoting their micro management with the designer’s of their main site. Not the pesky landing page I was working on:
http://www.marabouranch.com/colorado-real-estate/

Take a look at the main site(http://www.marabouranch.com) and you can decide for yourself which gets the point across better. Haha! :)
Permalink for this comment Meredith says: July 08, 2008

Hm, I’ll admit, I also abuse the slanty photo technique, and waffle with it on my personal site, but I do like it. I used it for a landing page at KEXP last year, but being a grunge type of station, they like the wicked worn so it was an easy sell.
Permalink for this comment Kurt Cruse says: July 08, 2008

Guilty as charged on many occasions, of only a few I could find.

Mood Board
http://www.kurtcruse.com/i/BIGstar.jpg

Wedding Invites (4panel self mailer)
http://www.kurtcruse.com/i/BIGbean.jpg
Permalink for this comment Tim Murtaugh says: July 08, 2008

I am going to DEMAND the slanty photo treatment for my next project.
Permalink for this comment Ian Crowther says: July 08, 2008

Ha, I recognize one of those. I knew that one was yours. I sincerely apologize for helping to put the kibosh on it, but you know, it was so slanty.
Permalink for this comment Jason Santa Maria says: July 09, 2008

@ Tim Murtaugh :

I am going to DEMAND the slanty photo treatment for my next project.

That’s fine, I’m not above using it again if a client specifically asks for it (and has a good purpose), I just don’t think I’m going to pitch it anymore.

@ Ian Crowther :

Ha, I recognize one of those. I knew that one was yours. I sincerely apologize for helping to put the kibosh on it, but you know, it was so slanty.

That’s OK, you guys made a good choice! It did feel right in my comp, but we were also trying to provide a range of looks for the pitch. I think the design you chose was a better choice than mine anyway :)
Permalink for this comment Kyle Weems says: July 09, 2008

It appears that we’ve had the reverse occur at our studio. Not only am I cutting more designs with slanty photos in it, I swear the number of photos per project is going up. Next I’m sure I’ll be tasked with having the photos be slanty while dynamically loading them from a Flickr feed.

@Kirk – Fingerprint-smudged photos? That sounds like a hot new trend that’s waiting to explode.
Permalink for this comment Jason Santa Maria says: July 09, 2008

@ Kirk :

Hmm…how about you start to push the smudgy finger prints all over the photos look?

Right, for that photo studio next to a rib joint look :)
Permalink for this comment robin says: July 10, 2008

slanty photo technique seems to be alive and well on the CC in CA…visitslo.com. i think it’s fun and playful! i mean, it depends on the application and if it’s in line w/the client’s sensibility.

@s-southard: no doubt…can make life complicated but it can be worth the effort!

what do you think about the taped photo technique…? starting to see that a lot lately…sort of like it!
Permalink for this comment zydrius says: July 10, 2008

what a beautiful design. wow!
Permalink for this comment Jose Riveros says: July 10, 2008

Quite honestly, what comic sans is to typography, the slanted photo technique is to web design.

I understand the intended purpose – to effectuate a casual intimacy with your visitor. To give a familiar tactile feel to your site. But, whenever I see a site using that technique, I say to myself – oh how cute…

Its kitschy design. An affectation.

Your clients did you a favor. My advice is to take all those comps, throw them in a trash can and light a match.

I don’t see you as a designer of casual cuteness.
Permalink for this comment Jason Santa Maria says: July 10, 2008

@ Jose Riveros : Haha, that’s some vitriol! I definitely wouldn’t compare the technique to Comic Sans. Your comparing typographic blight with a minor visual ailment. In all the cases I used it, I didn’t do it just to do it, I thought that it fit nicely with what the site was trying to say.

I’m happy with leaving it in a grey area from hereon out though.
Permalink for this comment Josh Harbaugh says: July 10, 2008

These guys and/or gals seem to enjoy the slanty photos.
Permalink for this comment Jose Riveros says: July 12, 2008

@ JSM

that’s some vitrol!

:dismay:

Yeah, I am too heavy-handed sometimes in my statements when I go for dramatic effect. I fail at subtlety. There is a bit of tough-in-cheek in my statements, I assure you. (Usually, better conveyed in person than over the internets.)
Permalink for this comment NatalieMac says: July 13, 2008

I’ve never had anyone buy it either. I haven’t tried to pitch an entire site of slanty photos, but I do like to ‘break the grid’ with something a bit out of the ordinary, to draw attention. Usually the client says something like, “This is great, but can you make the photo straight?”
Permalink for this comment Mattigan says: July 14, 2008

AHAA! IDEA!

Next time you are tempted, and trust me you will be, oh you will be! Strategically askew the whole website sans photographies thus making your perfectly horizontally aligned “img“s magically appear to be all Slanty!

DING! Your numbers just popped up like a game of bubbletrouble!

This awesome idea brought to you by the savants over at verb.a(Trademark symbol)
Permalink for this comment Dustin says: July 16, 2008

I work for a corporation where a tiny version of the slanty photo is used constantly, but more recently we tried to use it as a significant page element in one page’s redesign. The portion of usability that asked users what they thought about the look and feel of the page, their emotions, they focused on the slanty photo and hated it. Once removed and a regular photo in place, the page fared well. The slanty photo is cursed. :-(
Permalink for this comment Peter says: July 21, 2008

It’s still popular for folks using iWeb or Pages or some other Apple template thingy… Sometimes that’s enough to take it out of one’s repertoire.