Imperfection Machines: The Place of Print at Facebook

The death of print and analog technologies has been greatly exaggerated. In fact, digital has paradoxically given many a new lease on life as a counterbalance to the effects of the ever-accelerating digital momentum engulfing our world. At Facebook, the Analog Research Lab might be described as the company’s cultural heartbeat, but it also a unique antidote to the abundance of technology and a means through which an entirely different kind of meaning can be found. It is equally a reflection of the company’s maker spirit — a place where meaning can be found in getting your hands dirty.

This talk will lift the covers on a side of Facebook few get to experience, and demonstrate the value real-world experiences have inside an organization where such things would commonly be at odds.

Transcript

1. Scott Boms | Facebook Analog Research Lab IMPERFECTION MACHINES The Place of Print at Facebook
15. FRONT ROW CENTER IN 2015…OMG!!
18. Question 01 DO YOU WORK HERE?
19. YEP!
20. Question 02 WHAT IS THIS PLACE?
21. DESIGN PRACTICE STUDIO/WORKSHOPS PROGRAMS ?
29. Question 03 HOW DID THE LAB START?
32. Photo of the Lab back in Palo Alto
43. Question 04 WHAT DO YOU DO HERE?
44. Danger Will Robinson!
45. DESIGNER PRINTMAKER INK MIXER PAINT SPILLER PAPER CUTTER PHOTO TAKER RISO UN-JAMMER SNACK EATER NOTE TAKER SKETCHBOOK FILLER SIGN PAINTER SCREEN COATER SQUEEGEE CLEANER EMAIL SENDER ART DIRECTOR ANIMATOR CONTENT WRITER SADDLE STITCHER ELECTROPOUNCER PRINT ARCHIVER FONT IDENTIFIER HEAD BANGER LATTE MAKER RECORD PLAYER PAPER JAMMER VIDEO PRODUCER SIGN HANGER POLAROID SHAKER POSTER STAPLER PAPER PURCHASER VINYL CUTTER HALFTONE TROUBLESHOOTER TROUBLEMAKER?
49. Question 05 WHAT HAS THE LAB MADE LATELY?
50. Menlo Park CALIFORNIA New York NEW YORK Dublin IRELAND
51. Alumni: Bijan Berahimi | John Patrick Thomas | Heather Hardison | Eddie Perrote | Mario Wagner Hannah K. Lee | Leta Sobierajski | Jimmy Mezei | Elana Schlenker | Andy Tran | Fuchsia MacAree Bill Rebholz Joseph Alessio Steve McCarthy Trevor Finnegan Frances MacLeod Kaye Blegvad Monica Garwood Ryan Johnson
57. gives you time to consider to think in n o n linear to make unexpected ideas, ways, leaps. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 9 8 Procrastination – Adam Grant * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * D I V I R G E N T N T I A L E F R O N OPEN FACEBOOK / TARGET DESIGN EXCHANGE TWO ZERO ONE SIX We’re the OPTIMISTS
58. Question 06 WHAT CAN I DO HERE?
59. Participate.
68. Question 07 DO YOU HAVE A LAMINATOR?
70. Question 08 WHY INVEST IN ALL THIS?
71. Ah, the $6,000,000 question!
72. <?php $code = 1; $arguments = 0; if($code > $arguments) { echo "Code wins arguments"; } else { echo "Keep shipping"; } ?>
77. Question 09 WHY NOT DIGITALLY PRINT EVERYTHING?
84. Question 10 WHAT’S THE IMPACT OF ALL THIS?
85. 1+1=3?
95. Question 11 IS THIS THE BEST JOB EVER?
96. Yep.
100. fb.com/analoglab instagr.am/analoglab ANALOG RESEARCH LAB fb.com/scottboms instagr.am/scottboms SCOTT BOMS
101. Squeeeeeege! THANK YOU