stylecreep

In design & identity work, the process by which the extension of a *single project* over time prior to public release can cause a designer to gradually and inadvertently deviate the visual conventions or system for that single project. Inevitably this leads to a series of endless revisions, inexplicable designer deliberation over the stupidest pixel-by-pixel shit, and a bad case of carpal tunnel. (Not to be confused with style creep, which is a far less trendy business term. Also note that stylecreep does not refer to artists' capacity to evolve their styles over time.)

Meet Bob. His project suffers from stylecreep:

After staring at this site for a year, I got bored of the colours and decided to change them. But then another month passed and I was bored of the typeface, so I changed that too. Then a few weeks later I figured that the layout was kinda out-of-date, so I switched that up. But then I was altogether bored of the whole thing, so I started over. But don't worry, when I launch it, my portfolio is gonna be the shit!

by Stackelberg November 5, 2010

stylecramper(s)

One or more people who coincidentally are doing the same thing you want to do at the same time or cramp your style.

I planned to eat at this one random, obscure restaurant that I frequent often, but the other afternoon when I went for an early dinner, 6 stylecramper(s) and their families showed up at the same time in the parking lot and beat me to the front door to be seated by the host. It was a totally random and infuriating event as this place is never busy.

by T-Rex75 February 7, 2023