Sam A. characterized it as very generous

highly skeptical is hardly how I'd characterize his statements in lecture 2. he was referring to early stage startups. when early stage startups can change at any moment, it makes sense that he's skeptical of them in that context.

Significant, but the I don't think this type of design acquisition will become a little more common pretty soon

Now that you mention it, I agree. Is it just me, or is type almost a fetishized aspect of the design community, but still second fiddle?

How did the type community react?

The concept has been done. And as a designer, I'd be lukewarm seeing a card like this.

With business cards, it's probably better to be obvious than clever.

IIRC he left college or something (so I guess you can call that a 'dropout') to pursue design.

Had some interesting things. Had a bunch of good articles hosted at his namesake domain (some people called the format a 'blogazine'). He also created a web app that allowed you to create a timeline of your life that he sold. That was probably around 3 or 4 years ago.

Prior to Svbtle, I believe he was a YC alum already -- but I'm not sure what company. And if so, I think it makes a lot of sense. A designer with a well crafted persona, with some great work (up at the time) and clearly some great connections in the tech world (see: some of his articles, the Justin Bieber tweet, etc). A quick Google tells me Shyp is one of his customers.

It's likely he's a designer with a fair bit of work under his belt who has gotten a lot of work based on word of mouth and friendships in the valley.

Found this tweet pretty funny: https://twitter.com/samuelfine/status/509416957553037312

Am I missing something special Dribbble did with their nav that Apple duplicated?

Toronto representin'

You're not a story teller http://vimeo.com/98368484

Really, I think this sort of thinking is great and can ultimately produce great works, but I feel like all this story telling shit is really just for designers -- where's the value if it doesn't communicate it to the lay person?

Right - you didn't say he was attacking the designer.

I don't think there's anything wrong with design being presented as amazing - as long as its within reason. I think it's the context of how its been reported, who's reporting it and how it's been reporting it that makes it so interesting.

I took a look at the New Yorker post really quickly and the tag in the breadcrumby thing was "Type Talk" -- the only post in its category. When you consider the content within the context of Google's significant efforts to push design (and the media attention) I think its fair to comment on how the PR wheels have been moving.

I personally think posts like these can do damage to the profession, but I think whether you see it as a net negative or positive is a difference of opinion. Ultimately, I think Khoi wasn't intending to be cynical. It seemed like he respected it. He just presented a data point that he felt illustrated Google's PR moves. A good reminder in my mind.