Last week I read an article either in InTech or Computimes that questioned the movement of web development today. The writer was explaining how some websites aren’t designed anymore to conceptual design and instead head down simple lane. As much as I’d like to hammer the writer at first, but what was typed was true to each word of it.
The border or crossing between usability, accessibility and web design have been questioned quite a few times. The same question has been asked over and over again of how does a person know where is the line and balance of all this? Because of usability and accessibility, Flash media had started to be disregarded by some developers and designers today.
In the article, the writer compared the conceptual design between a product website like Calvin Klein and some other brand. Both websites weren’t fully done in Flash but the clear difference as that one was simpler than the other. One had heavily designed their website in accordance to presenting the product where as the other followed the current simple design trend.
The simple trend started slow but caught up really big and everyone started whispering company names like; 37Signals. Those who know this company ae aware of the created usable simple websites that not only look well but also perform in its highest precision.
The writer used more examples on how web designers today have forgotten about designing conceptually. It’s like their creativity has been restricted to simplicity and their freedom put back into a box. I can’t deny this because what he said is quite true.
Part of the process in website design is about designing with the client’s goal in mind. If the client is Calvin Klein and doesn’t have an e-commerce side, then the website should be using either the theme or current season of their products.
However, how far does a website designer go with their conceptual design is another question. I also believe that because website design isn’t like print design where the viewer doesn’t have to wait for the content, the website designer must be able to see beyond what is required.
He/She needs to take his conceptual design and place it against involving factors like a 56k modem, heavy size images and others. Sure broadband is around but it is still growing. It hasn’t reached the higher percentage that we could generally consider it safe to be designing all websites catered to it.
I think simplicity can be a very beautiful thing. But where do the lines cross for simplicity, usability and other factors is the answer that differentiates a would-be website designer and a serious one.
So what if your company has a team of designers when you don’t get them in the thinking process of the project itself? When I used to intern I now realized that all I did was design to the liking of the client and it ain’t wrong. On the other hand, if I had a suggestion or view of how the project could be made better, would the company propose it or would even the client wish to listen?
I’m not going to speak about clients since we already know what types of clients we have around. But seriously, if web design was really that simple and every Tom, Dick and Harry actually knew how to do it properly then why are our government websites or big corporate websites not user-friendly though it has a design sense to it?
If the client hires me, I’m being paid to get the job done well and make sure what I offer brings them benefit in return. If I was being paid to just listen to orders, being a waiter or waitress is the right job and not website designing.
For me as a website designer, I’m being paid to give a 110% to every job I take. I’m paid to share my views and listen to the views of my clients. I’m paid to communicate and make sure the project sails smoothly. I’m also paid to suggest ideas during the time I’ve been hired by the client for their project. The client doesn’t pay me to keep quiet and be a slave.
So ask yourself this question; are you a paid professional in what you do? or are you a monkey who does something to get a banana?
Danny, the other day I had written a bit about webdesign. Later I continue and link what you said here. It is a riot out there, especially the Gov. ones. I normally try to research health and parenting info for my group and go bonkers with what I can find locally.
As long as the standards and accessability of the site isn’t compromised, I guess thats there the line should be drawn. When you get paid to get the job done. Make sure its done right.
Well if you choose the online webhosting, then there are some templates that you can choose. To me designing from scratch give me more satisfaction.
You can look at other ppl’s website and see what is done to create them, unless, its a flash website. else just go to view-page source. Most webpage has their common tags, you can refer to them and change according to your needs.
@Lilian:
Thanks. :)
@Edrei:
Well, things can be done right given clients aren’t expecting us to be monkeys half the time.
@Shivan:
I’ve blogged on my hatred of ready-made templates before so I shan’t tread there again. To me, there’s quite a difference in providing a custom template to a client. It only satisfies me that clients get what they are paying for which is my expertise, my knowledge, my advice and my help.
The whole reason you interact with your client is because you’re in business with them. You automatically create a relationship with them and have to maintain it whilst working on their project.
I prefer clients who I can interact with then those who just want a coconut from me. :)
Conceptual designs can be done with concern to accessiblity and usability. However the level of difficulty and skill needed is so much higher.
Also, one has to understand a website is not like a brochure or a flyer or an advertisement. Its a rich source of information and also your corporate identity on the internet.
Unlike the other types of media, a website has to take into account alot of considerations. Browser compatibility, viewer disabilities, viewer’s connection speed etc.
So is web design simple? hell no! It used to be when the industry was new… but now its maturing to the point where only professionals will be able to design a website.
As for your client hiring comment… my philosophy is simple. Pay and treat me like professional and you’ll get professional quality results. Pay or Treat me like a monkey and you’ll get monkey quality results.