I've been playing around with Longhorn, and checking out the Whidbey demos, and it's become clear there must be a position some place deep within the bowels of Microsoft that is perfect for me based on my past hacks I've taken at Graphic Design:
Guy In Charge of Putting Gradients Everywhere
Have you wanted to take gradients out of just the title bar and put them on a button? Do you have what it takes to put a gradient on a textbox? How about a tab or those things that slide in and out in Visual Studio .NET? Gradients on menus, drop downs, list boxes, font dialogs, toolbars, giant analog clocks and/or digital clocks, install programs, grids, message boxes and if we get drunk enough, maybe even label text. Become part of the new Microsoft initiative “Gradient by Design” that will thrive to implement full gradient support into IE 6.1, introduce gradients into SQL Server “Yukon.” You will also play a critical role in the design phase of the future “Lens Flare Up in Here” initiative and the XML Gradient services. You will be expected to have expert knowledge of both the LinearGradientBrush and Blend classes. Experience using the gradient tool in Photoshop 6.0+ and Flash is a plus. The candidate must have five or more years experience in instructional design and a BA/BS or MS degree in Graphic Design, Industrial Design, Information Architecture, Film, Broadcast Technical Communications, or equivalent, as well as 2-5 years minimum experience in managing a team.
What's funny is I recall fondly struggling to get VB3 to have gradient title bars, ala Works if I recall correctly. That and implementing that goofy code for 3D textbox controls. Man, we've come along way with custom draw menus, only having to set flat-style to System over and over, and creating a .config file to point towards...wait a second, we aren't better off at all when it comes to keeping up with MS and their UI. Bring on Whidbey and let's let the Win95 toolbar die.