@C R It will be interesting to see if Graphic Designers are a consensus choice. Part of me wishes it was some other segment, at least as the primary target, because I think graphic designers may prove to be one of the more difficult groups to persuade.
I'm a graphic designer and product designer, and while I use Inkscape for parts of both, I can definitely tell you the path of least resistance is going to be graphic designers. There's actually a fairly short list of things that would make Inkscape ideal for graphic design. The broadness and flexibility of what Inkscape already does is a perfect fit, and the things added to the program - being able to print things properly for example, produce multi-page pdfs and other documents would benefit all the other disciplines mentioned.
They are going to have the broadest requirements, ranging from print to web output, and are likely to be the most entrenched in Adobe's ecosystem.
There's nothing terribly specialist about Graphic Design from a software features perspective. Product design, on the other hand will pull it into territory that is better left for 3D modeling and CAD programs. There are already specialist FLOSS programs for this, also vector based (Blender, FreeCAD, etc.). From this perspective, graphic design is the only choice with enough general overlapping functionality to make it useful for the broadest range of applications related to what Inkscape does best - 2D vector graphics.
The reason designers are entrenched in the Adobe "ecosystem" is that's what is taught in university, and when they look for alternatives, there aren't any programs that fit the bill entirely for vector graphics. They are looking to replace Illustrator, the functionality of which isn't covered by any other FLOSS project. In fact, Inkscape is key to making pro graphic design possible on Linux. Adobe isn't even an option on Linux. So a decision to move away from graphic design would be a quite terrible loss for all manner FLOSS artists.
A great number will lack the technical background to appreciate what can be done with SVGs on the web, and as such will be less likely to tolerate some of the unique workflows and limitations resulting from the spec.
That's true, if tools (in Inkscape) are built to utilise the svg spec to produce pain-free vector animations (for example), or style sheets that integrate easily with web content, all those things will be beneficial to designers of all types. Producing software that takes the complexity out of it is good for both techies, and non techies alike.
They are also more likely to be using MacOS, which appears to offer the least native experience of the three platforms.
Mac support is something to work on, but the fact remains, there really are not any other good options for vector illustration on Linux. I think a FLOSS focused vector program should fill the gap in tools for FLOSS operating systems as a primary goal, regardless of what other more popular OSes are out there. We gain no ground by being afraid to go up against Adobe's Creative Suite.
None of these are insurmountable hurdles, but I do think there are other segments that would adopt Inkscape more readily as the product exists today. (Please pardon my thinking-out-loud about this)
I submit that the path of least resistance is not necessarily the path to success. Making Inkscape for a niche group of readily accepting users will keep Inkscape a niche program used by a small segment of the population, and it will leave a large segment of designers who want to use free software waiting for something else to replace Inkscape as their vector editor. Right now, nothing else comes close.
-C
Ryan Gorley @ Dijt
On Sun, Apr 30, 2017 at 11:45 AM, C R <cajhne@...400...> wrote:
Filled it out. I think it's good. I really hope the answer for most people would be "Graphic Designers" for who we would like to use Inkscape more. It's a field that combines many of the other disciplines listed, and the tools required are useful across the board.
Inkscape is the Adobe Illustrator of the FLOSS world. I hope that doesn't change! -C
On Sun, Apr 30, 2017 at 2:02 AM, Miguel Lopez <reptillia39@...3425...> wrote:
Here's a feedback.
How would you identify yourself? *
I would vote Product Designer if the option is there. Same to the Pg 2 first question.
I also would add a section on what Inkscape should have. That would enable to gauge what should be the priority new feature for Inkscape.
On 4/29/2017 8:20 PM, Maren Hachmann wrote:
Am 29.04.2017 um 21:52 schrieb Ryan Gorley:
Hello all, I have been in communication with Martin and Maren about assisting with some marketing on the project. I am a designer and marketer by profession. You can read the conversation http://forum.inkscapecommunity.com/index.php?topic=497.0 that got this all started if you're interested, but in short, I feel passionately about helping Inkscape succeed.
I am emailing to get your feedback on a survey I would like to begin collecting responses for. As I see it, growing users and growing contributors are two sides of the same coin for any successful FOSS project. This particular survey is focusing on the user side of that coin. My intent is to help develop criteria for, and consensus around, who our primary markets for Inkscape should be. A free and open application is of course for anyone to use for any reason. However, because our resources in marketing this application are finite, we really need to clarify and prioritize to have any hope for success.
So here is the survey: https://goo.gl/forms/ReZkSjOMokkaoSln2
/Don't spend your time responding (yet)/. I would like to make sure I'm covering the right user segments here, so do email me with your thoughts. I'm glad to meet you all and thanks for the help!
- Maybe makers (and perhaps amateurs/hobbyists?) could be added?
Maren
Ryan Gorley @ Dijt https://dijt.co/
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