Good email newsletters are a valuable source of information and inspiration. As such, I’d like to share a few snippets from Sitepoint’s 50th Design View issue. They interviewed the lead designer at Digg; Daniel Burka, and he had a lot of stuff even Malaysia website designers can or should relate today. For example.
Of course, other web sites in our area too–sites like Facebook, for instance. I think the crew down there are doing some really interesting UI work. Even if they’re borrowing from Digg *cough*. Ha ha, I’m referring to some of the new UI stuff on the new Facebook feed — they borrowed a couple of ideas. It’s funny.
Not to say that we haven’t taken a few ideas from them too!
Further on in the interview, Sitepoint also asked Daniel; should we just let our users tell us what we should be doing entirely? Daniel Burka responded.
No, no, our users don’t tell us what we should be doing. Our users guide us to what the problems are. They’ll sometimes make good suggestions, but usually they’re suggesting a specific thing when they really mean a problem. And it’s up to us to find solutions to the problems–like the Henry Ford maxim that I mentioned in my talk today: “If I had have asked my users, they would have told me they wanted a faster horse.” Anticipating beyond what our users can imagine. Having the feel to make that logical jump to the next level. That’s where the real genius is.
Being a user-centric website designer, you’d lean more towards what the user wants and is looking for – content. Therefore, I can’t help but share the same views Daniel has said above and I believe this is really what’s lacking still in the Malaysia Internet scene. Though the newly launched Maybank2u website has taken the turn – a great sign.
And, on a humorous note. Here’s what website designers in Malaysia need to brief their clients about Web 2.0. LOL!
I used to make fun of Kevin a lot for saying “Web 2.0”, back before it was a common term. It’s such an empty, vapid thing to say. Especially the “Web 2.0 aesthetic”.
So if you’re a client looking for a prospective website designer, try not to make yourself look stupidsmart by requesting for Web 2.0 this or that. ;)
In general, this interview has highlighted the website design industry today is borrowing website ideas (concepts). In fact, wouldn’t you agree it’s difficult coming across something deemed as one-of-a-kind today? I can design a one-of-a-kind website layout for a client but what it really means is no other competitor has the similar layout – logo, header, sidebar, content, typeface and etc.
And, websites now exist more towards fulfilling user-centric goals rather than display of entertainment or personal pleasure – unless it’s a personal website, that is. Therefore, if you’re a Malaysia-based website designer I highly recommend you start proposing to your clients the importance of a user-centric website as compared to their self-indulged “Oh, I look so pretty!” websites.
I think Malaysian web designer should learn from their Korea, Japan, China and US counterparts, their design will be in demand when they are back :)
Well, I don’t know about China but indeed a number of designers here do find inspiration from US, Japan and Korea. However, certain designs from other countries fulfill other needs.
For example; Korea and Japan have high speed broadband. Therefore, their websites can be done in full Flash most of the time. :P