Templates and clip art can serve an important and welcome role in society so long as we employ them with discernment and discretion. They can improve communication as long as we exercise good taste and augment them with other images, structures and strategies when they will enhance our message. Schools and teachers have a responsibility to engage students in thoughtful dialogue about these technological choices so they will emerge as wise consumers and powerful communicators. An Australian colleague coined this expression but wants no public credit for its invention. Constructive criticism of international conglomerates is essential to health of our democratic societies, but public criticism seems risky to some folks.
Some icons have more soul than others.
I am particularly fond of the icons used throughout this Web site which were created by Jay Boersma, who manages to create small images which often carry a strong element of soul. Four of the icons on this line were crafted by Jay. They include rules, buttons, backgrounds, bullets, icons, clip art images, and photographs. Use them to spruce up your Web sites with color and character. Inc. Little Men's Studio provides original clip art collections, icons, and free quotes on affordable custom graphics.