I work with designers all the time and i do find that within the design field, there is a huge difference in skill when it comes to designing. They all seem to possess the same skill set. Photoshop, aestethics appreciation, coming up worth something from nothing, etc. but working with so many different types of designers, I find that there are 3 types in the web design playing field.
- The Designer – this person executes and takes instructions, can take the long hours and can make a piece of 2D surface look good.
- The Graphic Designer – this person creates something from nothing and has the ability to fill up any empty space or make something absolutely boring look interesting.
- The Web Designer – this person does not just design in 2D and considers issues such as interactivity, usability, consistency, scalability, etc.
Being in the web design field, I sometimes get frustrated when web designers behave like a Designer or a Graphic Designer. When a design is done and approve, then somewhere in the development cycle, certain design elements can’t work. Its not just a matter of experience, but also if the person is truly a Web Designer or not.
So if you are a designer, what are you?
honestly…i think i’m somewhere between Graphic and Web…
I’m a programmer.
I’m an architect. If it looks good and doesn’t work, it’s fluffy cotton candy
i’m a creative director. if a creative concept has no relevance to the client’s business it is shizz. i guess no matter which part of the pie we’re in, always think way ahead b4 the concept gets executed.
This article is certainly a MUST READ. Looking forward for more.
Nick I hope you know the definition of design before categorising web designers into 3 types.
Design is not just about function, it is also about the form. And it seems to you from all the posts you have written on ‘Good Design’ are all based on technical specifications.
As long as it ‘snaps’ looks pretty in all browsers, nice interactivity and usability, it is deemed a ‘good design’.
Sad to say many people including yourself always miss out one critical factor.
The Concept and Rationale. This is the soul of all design. Including web.
Let’s take your website for example. If there any reason for using a Pop Art styled icon as your logo? Perhaps it is your favourite art movement? If so why aren’t there a single Pop Art artist in your favourite list. I suspect you created it by filtering it randomly in Photoshop. By adding a reflection to a 1950s styles icon further shows you are confused.
Back to usability which seems to be your forte. Is there any particular reason why you choose to line up your NICK PAN DOT COM vertically which makes it hard for a normal human eye to digest?
It is very obvious you do not have any design foundation or any knowledge of art movements. You’re only amazed with beautiful technical pieces. You are quick to question whether a design can be executed, which is killing design. Very often only a thin line separates a fantastic and mediocre design.
Take some time borrow some books about art history and design movements of the past. And you will ask more ‘why nots’ instead of ‘whys’.
@web Designer. Thanks for your passionate comment. I simply love your comment. People with views & opinions make the whole industry worth the time. Working with designers who are in a constant state of indifference caused this knee jerk blog post.
As for the pop art bit, its a long story, maybe i’ll blog about why i use this as my avatar, profile pic, favicon, etc next time.
Just for the record as well, i definitely do not have any design training & got no clue about art movement from the past. I’m glad however i do have several friends from the Architecture circles that enlighten me once in a while on Architectural stuff.
Hey if there are any books about art & design movements of the future, do drop me a note, i will so need to get hold of those materials. Right now its just Smashing Magazine for me. :)