Our VP of marketing likes to quote the movie Amadeus when there is too much going on in a design. In the movie, Mozart has just finished the first performance of his new play for the Excellency of Vienna. His majesty comes up afterwards and compliments Mozart. Then this exchange happens…
So then, you liked it?
You really liked it, sire?Well, of course I did ! It’s very good !
Of course, now and then,
just now and then. . .. . .it seemed a touch. . . .
What do you mean, sire?
Well, I mean, occasionally,
it seems to have. . . .How shall one say. . . ?
How shall one say, direktor?
-Too many notes, Majesty?
-Exactly. Very well put.-Too many notes.
-l don’t understand .There are just as many notes
as I required, neither more nor less.My dear fellow, there are in fact. . .
. . .only so many notes
the ear can hear in an evening .
Great art comes from knowing what is really unnecessary and having the guts to take it out, because even though I may love it, there are only so many notes one can hear in an evening.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IG3rgIaXdpk&feature=related
In defense of the creative, Mozart was dealing with a listener, not an equal peer. I know it’s a waste of time to produce something that is other than what was requested. But when you’re creating something fantastic, and someone says ‘it’s too much’ it takes a great man to ask for creative feedback rather than ‘which notes would you like me to take out?’