carsonified
Out of context: Reply #25
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- johnnnnyh0
"'rock star web designer' mentality has led to some really horrific designers becoming very famous and influential because they talk at conferences: a la Elliot Jay Stocks (http://elliotjaystocks.com/), Paul Boag (http://boagworld.com), Sarah Parmenter (http://www.youknowwhodesign.com... and don't even get me started on Larissa Meek (http://www.larissameek.com/)... Guess why she's famous..."
And there was me thinking I was the only one. Thanks for posting that. Honestly, I've been struggling to understand this for a while now. Distracted to the point of obsession perhaps - although maybe not really that bothered!
I too don't understand how these guys have "self promoted themselves". I've been in the business for a long time (too long) and there have been better designers along the way, all the way, but suddenly there's a clutch of people and everyone's seeing them as the greatest living designers and I was thinking hang on, this isn't that good. I mean, yes they can use photoshop and stich some html together, but really, is that so hard? I mean good design is good for so much more than that.
I just ended up thinking it was "emperors new clothes" and people were too scared to say that most of the body of work of these people is average at best. The kind of stuff most designers are pumping out in their day jobs week in week out. Most of it isn't even designed anyway - in terms of form/function etc.
I've heard the same as isakosmo about the conferences too. So have steered clear which means I can't comment on them, but my feeling is that there's a bunch of people who've figured a way to make money from this business without actually building websites. I've no problem with that, but I do wonder if we need to elevate web design into a "world tour", "rockstar" profession. Do accountants or solicitors or dentist do this? I know doctors have conferences but I they share knowledge on a completely different level and for a better purpose. What about mechanics or librarians, or I don't know. There aren't that many professions/industries that seem so far up themselves they can't see what's going on around them.
Maybe I've seen too much or am too far from this to see its value, but to be honest it's very narcissistic and suggests a deep insecurity about the value of our work/profession which some people feel the need to elevate way above what it's actual worth is.
Don't get me wrong good design is worthwhile but we do need to be realistic about it all the same.
- yeah, they've definitely tapped into a market, and positioning themselves as a 'cool' brand so people with no clue - like my boss who is pure IT - don't question it. selling the design tag to people who know nothing about design.isakosmo
- thank you. no, really, thank you for writing that down.jimbojones
- The tech side of what most those designers do is pretty good, eg Paul B and accessibility, but the design side makes me think I am in with a shot.harmsie
- in with a shotharmsie
- this is also an issue: DEVELOPERS should stop calling themselves DESIGNERS.jimbojones