Web design: the new print
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- twokids
I work at a large corp in a 25 person design group. I do motion design. However, many of the designers do web, and they way they do it makes me think of it as the new print. they create mockups entirely in photoshop (or even indesign) and hand it off to developers, who cut it up and turn it into html.
Many of them know nothing about HTML, in fact actively avoid knowing anything about it. One guy said that he thinks knowing html detracts from good design.
This was interesting to me and made me think that this kind of designer is the new print designer. Very focused on type and layout, and everything in their world is absolutely static.
So print designers know that there is a place for you in the new digital world.
- sseo0
This sounds like something I would have thought in 1995...
- doesnotexist0
uh what?
how can you design a car without knowing how one works?
- i've a friend who works designing car fiberglass molds - he doesn't know much about the mechanics, or even how to change his own oilbjladams
- change his own oil - just focus on the aesthetics ... same same?bjladams
- yeah but you gotta know where the engine will go, and there are 4 tires, and people have to get into the car somehow.doesnotexist
- that's not really knowing how it works though - that's just measurements and sections, i.e. static designbjladams
- But he drives the car. That's the experience he knows and cares about. Same as designers.notverycontrary
- ukit20
Not knowing about HTML is like bragging about not knowing how a printing press works
- twokids0
For a long time being a web designer meant knowing html, even if you didn't necessarily code it. But you knew what it was and how it worked - that was essential. But now it appears you can actively avoid know html and be successful.
- Continuity0
'One guy said that he thinks knowing html detracts from good design.'
He should also be fired immediately.
- +1Andrew_D
- HAHA!! what a stupid fuck.
Wish those types could hear how they soundanimatedgif - sometimes murder is justified.vaxorcist
- clearThoughts0
'Social Media' people are the new Web Designers and Websites are... what is a website again?
- zoozoo0
Thanks for your input. Fantastic stuff.
- clearThoughts0
What is the web-designer role when an iPad app is needed and a viral video is needed?
Hopefully not just start talking about usability, because that is so last decade...
- animatedgif0
"create mockups entirely in photoshop (or even indesign)"
"Many of them know nothing about HTML"
The hallmarks of a shit web designer
- pillhead0
I know how to develop HTML, CSS and I am finding the same thing, allot of new designers just don't know how to code or how it really works, and for the last couple of years I have had to do less coding what so ever because most companies know days have dedicated Front-end developers who can do the job allot better then I can.
If that is the way it's going is fine with me, I will be more then happy to concentrate on the creative process and let the Dev teams get on with what they do best, code.
- Web designers don't have to code but they do have to understand the technologiesanimatedgif
- twokids0
it is the reality. There are probably 6-8 'web' designers who could never create HTML.
It kind of makes sense. The digital world is so big that specialization makes sense. As for me, I was tired of worrying about knowing actionscript and css and html5 and so on - so i am now specializing in Motion Design. I am much happier.
If I will need a website, I will probably have an actual developer so that it works across all mobile devices.....
- Can you be a good motion designer without knowing about expressions etc?toodee
- ukit20
Specialization makes sense in the corporate world because you are just a cog in the machine. It's great for the company to have a specialist who only knows how to do one thing, but not necessarily so helpful when you want to set off on your own.
I think there's a lot of value to be gained from having more than one area of expertise, especially when it relates to what you are already doing. I'm always surprised by designers who lack the curiosity to learn or just give up when it comes to anything technical.
- I agree with you, and am sort of a generalist myself, BUT to do something new well takes time to learn/research. I'm finding that all projects are such a rush that I cant deliver anymore and do the necessary learning.Josev
- that all projects are such a rush that I cant deliver anymore and do the necessary learning.Josev
- learn on your own time. you can't expect someone else to pay for your education.monNom
- I didnt say I expect client to pay for my learning. I also do take the time to learn on my own time. I meant there's little time to research how to solve a problem at times. That's where specialists come in handy.Josev
- to learn on my own time. I meant there's little time to research how to solve a problem at times. That's where specialists come in handy.Josev
- specialists benefit.Josev
- i take a couple months out a year for personal projects always tech based, 2009: AS3, 2010: Objective C, 2011: HTML5...kingsteven
- HTML5. It Keeps me sane (i can actually enjoy my work) and on top of agency / studio partner lists.kingsteven
- hansglib0
in the old days of web you had to know how html worked - otherwise you designed stuff that couldn't be made. But these days, as the technologies advance, more and more you're only limited by your ideas. There really isn't the need to know what goes on under the hood - have the idea and the techies will make it happen.
That said, I'm old skool and I think it's important to know the basic building blocks... after all, it's part of the craft.
- MSTRPLN0
Web Artists
- slappy0
If you are passionate about web then you will want to know how things work.
Good print designers know about paper stock, which finishes work together etc and how the printers printers operate, even though they may not be the ones printing the job.
- Sorry, I am a little drunk but you get the point, go web!slappy
- +1BabySnakes
- akrok0
what to know when 8 of 10 uses templates. oh, an other blog looking site. great.
- animatedgif0
^ Some of you are missing the point.
You can and should understand code to be a web designer but it doesn't mean you have to sit there actually coding HTML all day.
- akrok0
well yes, if your call your self a "WEB" design you should know it.
