- Creative Designers have Patience Engraved on November 17, 2008 by Michael Dick; Comments (16)
It's very rare when I can sit down and knock out a design in one sitting. The entire world thinks that we can sit down and pump out a design in a few hours...start to finish. That means IA, wireframing, planning, style discovery, and everything else. I don't think I've been able to accomplish this since before I really understood what designing for the web was about...which is a lot more than just making things...pretty.
Quality design doesn't happen overnight; it takes time....it takes patience. It takes getting away from your computer for awhile so that you can have a fresh set of eyes when you come back.
Sure, there are some people out there that can create beautiful sites in a couple of hours and still have time to kill, but what is the UX like? How balanced is the users eye when they view it? Can you pick any element on the design at random and give a logical expression to why it's where it is, and why it's even on the page in the first place?
The culture nclud has created is, by all means, perfect for a designer. If a design is giving you fits then get away from it, go play some Mario Kart.
The point of this entire post is don't expect yourself to crunch out a design in a few hours...and if they do expect you to then you probably should fire the client and move onto someone who understands the time it takes to accomplish a design that is both beautiful and logical.
Comments
- Engraved by James Fleeting on 11/17/2008
- I agree 100%. The environment your around makes a big difference as well as I'm sure you have noticed from working at home vs working at nclud. :)
The hard part is explaining that to a client though... even worse when they have a "friends son" who claims to be a web designer who can do a "site" (if you can call it that) in 2 hours. I had one recently.
- Engraved by cody on 11/17/2008
- Your absolutely right, I am guilty of doing this. When I sit down I feel obligated to crank out a layout within hours. I can do it but within a few days, I am asking myself why didn't I do this? Or why didn't I put this image here?
Now if I would have taken my time and sat on the design for a few days I could have produced a more quality work that not only the client would have enjoyed but a layout that I myself would have enjoyed.
This is a great read, glad you took the time to write this up.
- Engraved by antoine butler on 11/17/2008
- I think this also points to the difficulty we; as a designers have when designing personal blogs, branding, collateral, etc.
We know the time it takes especially in the discovery phase. The time that is consumed dealing with client tastes, audience needs, etc etc.
I think we subconsciously think "I know me", "I know what I want to say", and "I know who I'm saying it to". With these things being true, in theory a design should* go fast, after all we know what works and what doesn't. But it never happens like that.
The self imposed pressure, the unrealistic time frames and lack of flexibility result in an atmosphere that is entirely not "ncluded" ;) We tend to not take breaks, to design on instinct, and see the UX from our point of view. Having designed it, the UX in our eye is pristine.
Just my 2 unsolicited cents
Back to your point: I see patience in life as an excuse, but patience in design is key.
In regards to client expectations, remind them that Web Design is indeed an art (when done correctly). It is a carefully put together piece of interactive art. Inspired by research, study, observation, and instinct. A design based on these things, take time. A design not based on these things, fail.
- Engraved by Jonathan Solichin on 11/17/2008
- I agree! But then again...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J0NZ4ekNZoI :)
But seriously, what goes on behind and details that are put in are often under appreciated.
- Engraved by Brandon Green on 11/18/2008
- Patience Patience Patience...
This philosophy can be a re-occurring theme throughout life. Everything deals with trying to achieve patience in this fast paced society.
Designers and Developers are the most challenged when it comes to patience and online work.
Clients see a design they like, and they want one similar to be finished by yesterday. Likewise with developers and programming tasks. The right way may take more time, but instead the client wants it done now.
Patience is a virtue and a key that both Designer and Client should endeavor in order for the best business transaction to take place.
Nice article Mike, keep it up.
- Engraved by Jordan Flaig on 11/26/2008
- True true i need to start doing this.
- Engraved by Scott Beckman on 12/01/2008
- Mike, first of all great article as usual. Secondly, with myself being new to the web design industry I see myself falling victim to expecting great designs in a single design session. In reality as you stated before it takes some down time away from a project to really see the whole vision/picture.
Keep up the articles Mike im LOVING them. Added you to my RSS feeds as well :)
- Engraved by Chelsea Beachem on 12/12/2008
- Totally made me feel better....
- Engraved by Nick Shaw on 01/06/2009
- Patients when designing is definitely something I need to work on. Nice read Michael.
Give your word.
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