Autodesk's sexist splash screen takes the "pro" out of SketchBook Pro

Updated June 9: They’ve replaced it with two cute (but far more professional) cartoons of robots. FTW!

Autodesk’s SketchBook Pro for the iPad is nothing short of brilliant. Layers, great brush control, smashing little interface touches…

…and yet I’m embarrassed to take it out in public. I find myself hunching over my iPad when I launch it, hoping nobody will notice. Because this is what they’d see:

It’s sexist, it’s puerile and it’s anything but professional.

I’ve already asked the publishers on Twitter if they can see their way clear to losing the splash screen:

I love @sketchbookpro on the iPad. But the pouting-babe splash screen is sexist, puerile and embarrassing – not “pro” at all. Can it go?less than a minute ago via TweetDeckRob Cottingham
RobCottingham

If you feel the same way I do, why not retweet that message or send them one of your own? (I’ll update this post as soon as I hear anything.)

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3 Comments

Rachel Smith (Ninmah) on 12 May 2010 at 13:16

Once more, I will leap up and agree. With wonderful stuff like this sketch by Susan Murtaugh out there, why would they need to use the image they chose? It’s a wasted opportunity to showcase what the product can do — in a tasteful way.

Ironically, I found that sketch by following a link on @sketchbookpro’s Twitter stream — so someone at the company knows there’s good art being made out there.

Rob Cottingham on 12 May 2010 at 13:46

Wow. If nothing else, this whole thing ended up with me looking at that amazing Susan Murtaugh sketch. Thanks for that link!

ANN on 7 Dec 2010 at 08:32

LOVE THE PICTURES OF THE ROBOTS! COULD NOT FIND MORE INFO ON IT, DO YOU KNOW THE NAME OF THE ARTIST WHO CREATE THE ROBOT? AND WHAT THE ROBOT’S NAME? THANKS!

Rachel Smith (Ninmah) on 12 May 2010 at 13:16
Once more, I will leap up and agree. With wonderful stuff like this sketch by Susan Murtaugh out there, why would they need to use the image they chose? It’s a wasted opportunity to showcase what the product can do — in a tasteful way.
Ironically, I found that sketch by following a link on @sketchbookpro’s Twitter stream — so someone at the company knows there’s good art being made out there.
Rob Cottingham on 12 May 2010 at 13:46
Wow. If nothing else, this whole thing ended up with me looking at that amazing Susan Murtaugh sketch. Thanks for that link!
ANN on 7 Dec 2010 at 08:32
LOVE THE PICTURES OF THE ROBOTS! COULD NOT FIND MORE INFO ON IT, DO YOU KNOW THE NAME OF THE ARTIST WHO CREATE THE ROBOT? AND WHAT THE ROBOT’S NAME? THANKS!