Aug 30 2007
Web Designer / Developer – The Hybrid
In a previous post I discussed the concept of what constitutes the “Ideal Web Team” in terms of people/talent. In this post I’ll discuss one key position on the team: The Web Designer/Developer. This person has the skills and creative temperament of a Graphic Artist with technical know-how of a Web Developer, thus a hybrid. A web team that does not have this kind of talent will suffer with lower productivity and dull websites. Some hardcore back-end developers are talented designers as well; but it’s very difficult to be highly productive in both areas, especially on the same project. Typically, back-end developers don’t have the required creative edge or proficiancy with graphic design tools. A hybrid web designer/developer should generally have the following characteristics:
• Expertise with professional tools of the trade, tools like Photoshop, Illustrator, Flash, etc.
• Good understanding typography and page layout with a very keen sense of design.
• Branding and marketing experience.
• Web standards advocate
• Expetise with XHTML , JavaScript, Ajax, CSS, especial CSS driven layouts
• In depth understanding of the principles of Accessibility and Usability
• An Information Architecture guru
• Significant ability with Flash and Action Script
• Can design a Logo Design, if needed
• Capable of print media design.
Some companies discount the importance of Web Designers or Hybrid Designer/Developers; I’m willing bet the quality of the websites produced by these companies will reflect this attitude. The web is a visual interactive media which requires very special talent to build excellent and interesting user interfaces. Sure just about anyone can build a web page, it’s not that hard; but it takes true talent, understanding, and years of experience to do it right…to be a cut above the rest.
Building a Website is like playing guitar, anyone can learn to strum a tune; but it takes native talent and years of dedicated study to master the instrument.