Comments on: Web Design is Not Just Graphic Design for the Web

By: Ray Gulick

Ray Gulick — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 13:58:08 +0000

If you had read my last comment closely, Jeff, you would have understood that I said that print designers do not need experience or training in design for an interactive environment in order to be great print designers.

And, sorry, but its not ALL about composition on the web. That’s only the beginning in an environment in which you are attempting to help people efficiently negotiate an interactive environment. Without meaning any disrespect (but you illustrate my point perfectly and I have to point this out), only a print designer would make such a statement. It’s akin to a web designer’s ignorance of dot gain on a printing press.

My point is not about whether or not print or web designers are “better” than the other. It’s about how completely different the disciplines are from one another, and how expertise as a designer in one field do not qualify people to perform well in the other. And quite often, even designers do not recognize this.

By: Jeff Peterson

Jeff Peterson — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 13:41:24 +0000

I can agree that designers don’t start out knowing everything there is to know in either discipline. And if we are good at which one we choose, we never stop learning.

I still don’t believe that print designer are arrogant about designing for the web, but I will have to say that we can learn to be great designers for the web and transfer that over much easier than the reverse. Just look at many of the sites out there. Don’t think those are print designers creating those sites. Sorry.
It does seem that you have a bia against print designers for some reason?

It is still about composition. Print designers are trained for that, web developers are not. How many of them study in a formal setting about art in general. Not at the school I recently went to trying to get foot hold into web design.

You said in the article above
“As a result, only a small percentage of designers are truly competent in both disciplines, and even fewer are brilliant in both.”
I totally agree with this.

It is my concern that the industry is seeking for what is not really out there. And both disciplines suffer.

In the end we seem to agree on that point.

The point of this that needs to be made is, the industry expects us to be great at both. It seems to be awhile before that is the truth?

So you seem to be are saying in your last sentence
“it takes experience and/or training which print designers typically do not have, and don’t need to be great print designers.” Did you mean web designers don’t need to be great print designers?

That is just flat false if that is what you are inferring!

By: Ray Gulick

Ray Gulick — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 17:35:39 +0000

In my experience, Jeff, print designers completely understand that they don’t know about the “coding” part. But virtually all of them that I have worked with believe themselves fully capable of doing the “design” part. They have little or no understanding of how to design in an interactive environment. No one starts out knowing that: it takes experience and/or training which print designers typically do not have, and don’t need to be great print designers.

By: Jeff Peterson

Jeff Peterson — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 20:41:58 +0000

At least where I am from we do, that is why many are struggling with moving towards that side of things. We also no, just having taken classed is not enough.

Many print designers in the LinkedIn groups I belong to also recognize the difference and repeat the struggle for the industry to understand that there is a difference and that is takes years to work those skills into a viable talent.

I would have not made the statement if I had not be ready and hearing this for the last 9 months or longer.

Guess I have to disagree with you as well. Thanks

By: Ray Gulick

Ray Gulick — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 14:56:15 +0000

Jeff – Sorry, but I disagree that most print designers recognize the difference between print design and web design. In my experience, most of them do not.

By: Jeff Peterson

Jeff Peterson — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 12:32:05 +0000

This is great information. It helps to see that this a broad issue across the entire country. Not sure about the world? With that said.

The problem with this is, it is being preached to the choir. Any of us that are print designer have been aware of this for sometime. Especially if we have or are taking classes to move into web design.

There is this assumption in the industry and by others not in the industry, that one makes the other. That then begs the question, are we stuck with an environment or can the world outside of our circle be educated about this, until that gap is closed some?

What has complicated this even more is the fact that, more and more non coding programs are being created which allows the same, “I now have a PC with Word/ Publisher and am designer” issue to raise it’s head in web design.

Above the this box to type in, it says Spill it here. I just did thanks!

By: Jon-Mikel Bailey

Jon-Mikel Bailey — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 20:46:58 +0000

It’s amazing how many designers and clients in general still do not understand this. Thanks for making these very valid and valuable points.

By: Jon Pianki

Jon Pianki — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 13:11:09 +0000

Great article. Well put.

Jon

By: Ray Gulick

Ray Gulick — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 18:12:17 +0000

Thanks, William. Good to hear from you.

By: William

William — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 16:49:31 +0000

“It’s like birthing a baby: you can’t just bring it to life and ignore it. Sooner or later it will spit up or need a diaper change, and it will always be hungry for content.”

Simply stated, and brilliantly so.