Comments on: The Future of the Web Design Profession http://www.killersites.com/blog/2007/the-future-of-the-web-design-profession/ Real world talk about web design, programming and the business of web design. Fri, 13 Nov 2009 17:25:16 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.3 hourly 1 By: Adam Landrum http://www.killersites.com/blog/2007/the-future-of-the-web-design-profession/comment-page-1/#comment-124774 Adam Landrum Thu, 31 Jan 2008 04:30:06 +0000 http://www.killersites.com/blog/2007/the-future-of-the-web-design-profession/#comment-124774 Jason said it. It's about the business results. However, I do think the key is in the "designer" part of web design. Branding is playing such a huge role in this ever-cluttered world, that the ability to create a design that successfully brands a company (something most likely not gained through a template) will serve a tremendous value to companies. But overall, yeah, make web sites. But make sure they generate results for your clients, and you'll have a job for life. Jason said it. It’s about the business results. However, I do think the key is in the “designer” part of web design. Branding is playing such a huge role in this ever-cluttered world, that the ability to create a design that successfully brands a company (something most likely not gained through a template) will serve a tremendous value to companies.

But overall, yeah, make web sites. But make sure they generate results for your clients, and you’ll have a job for life.

]]> By: Stefan Mischook http://www.killersites.com/blog/2007/the-future-of-the-web-design-profession/comment-page-1/#comment-122451 Stefan Mischook Tue, 22 Jan 2008 05:09:59 +0000 http://www.killersites.com/blog/2007/the-future-of-the-web-design-profession/#comment-122451 @Daniele, Glad you like it. Thanks, Stefan @Daniele,

Glad you like it.

Thanks,

Stefan

]]> By: Daniele Pais http://www.killersites.com/blog/2007/the-future-of-the-web-design-profession/comment-page-1/#comment-122448 Daniele Pais Tue, 22 Jan 2008 05:05:01 +0000 http://www.killersites.com/blog/2007/the-future-of-the-web-design-profession/#comment-122448 Hi Stefan, Just want to tell you that your site "killerphp.com" really "rocks"...I have added to my favorites. Hi Stefan,

Just want to tell you that your site “killerphp.com” really “rocks”…I have added to my favorites.

]]> By: Jason Leister http://www.killersites.com/blog/2007/the-future-of-the-web-design-profession/comment-page-1/#comment-121166 Jason Leister Tue, 15 Jan 2008 16:40:04 +0000 http://www.killersites.com/blog/2007/the-future-of-the-web-design-profession/#comment-121166 I think "Web Design Professional" hit the nail on the head. In the end, your clients don't wake up in the morning and say, "Hey, we're out of websites, let's get one." What they really what is what the website will do for their business. Or what they THINK it will do. Those are the "results" Web Design Professional is talking about. I think the future of web design will require more and more designers to learn how to position what they do in those terms (in terms of client business results). That's where the money is. The technology is just a means to get there. I think “Web Design Professional” hit the nail on the head.

In the end, your clients don’t wake up in the morning and say, “Hey, we’re out of websites, let’s get one.”

What they really what is what the website will do for their business. Or what they THINK it will do.

Those are the “results” Web Design Professional is talking about.

I think the future of web design will require more and more designers to learn how to position what they do in those terms (in terms of client business results). That’s where the money is. The technology is just a means to get there.

]]> By: College to Learn Web Design? at KILLERSITES.COM http://www.killersites.com/blog/2007/the-future-of-the-web-design-profession/comment-page-1/#comment-121068 College to Learn Web Design? at KILLERSITES.COM Mon, 14 Jan 2008 20:42:22 +0000 http://www.killersites.com/blog/2007/the-future-of-the-web-design-profession/#comment-121068 [...] talked about the web design profession in other articles. Yet, as you will see in the following email I recently got, I haven’t [...] [...] talked about the web design profession in other articles. Yet, as you will see in the following email I recently got, I haven’t [...]

]]> By: Website Design Professional http://www.killersites.com/blog/2007/the-future-of-the-web-design-profession/comment-page-1/#comment-119094 Website Design Professional Thu, 03 Jan 2008 05:46:38 +0000 http://www.killersites.com/blog/2007/the-future-of-the-web-design-profession/#comment-119094 Website designers will always be required. Its not just the technology that we can offer, but in the end of the day we're supposed to be the professionals that know what to do to generate results for our customers. Results being sales for example. Any kid can throw a site together these days, and many people dont even need CMS. So as more people turn to the internet for information and resources, the more dependant businesses will become for the professionals to step up and help them gain an edge. Web design has a bright future. Maybe not a killer one, but definitely a sustainable one. Website designers will always be required. Its not just the technology that we can offer, but in the end of the day we’re supposed to be the professionals that know what to do to generate results for our customers. Results being sales for example. Any kid can throw a site together these days, and many people dont even need CMS. So as more people turn to the internet for information and resources, the more dependant businesses will become for the professionals to step up and help them gain an edge.

Web design has a bright future. Maybe not a killer one, but definitely a sustainable one.

]]> By: Jeff Adams http://www.killersites.com/blog/2007/the-future-of-the-web-design-profession/comment-page-1/#comment-119040 Jeff Adams Wed, 02 Jan 2008 20:58:06 +0000 http://www.killersites.com/blog/2007/the-future-of-the-web-design-profession/#comment-119040 Web design is a fast paced industry and people concerned have to keep up to date with all modern technologies in order to succeed. Web design is a fast paced industry and people concerned have to keep up to date with all modern technologies in order to succeed.

]]> By: Stefan Mischook http://www.killersites.com/blog/2007/the-future-of-the-web-design-profession/comment-page-1/#comment-118934 Stefan Mischook Wed, 02 Jan 2008 09:08:43 +0000 http://www.killersites.com/blog/2007/the-future-of-the-web-design-profession/#comment-118934 Daniele, I agree with your approach of using blogs and CMS's. Actually, I believe it is the future of web design. And that is one of the reasons why I believe ALL web designers must learn PHP. ... To have full control over a CMS or blog (which are more than likely created with PHP) you need to understand at least some basic PHP so that you can tweak the functionality/behavior of the CMS or blog. That is why I created www.killerphp.com - to make it easy for web designer to learn PHP. Stefan Daniele,

I agree with your approach of using blogs and CMS’s. Actually, I believe it is the future of web design.

And that is one of the reasons why I believe ALL web designers must learn PHP.

… To have full control over a CMS or blog (which are more than likely created with PHP) you need to understand at least some basic PHP so that you can tweak the functionality/behavior of the CMS or blog. That is why I created http://www.killerphp.com – to make it easy for web designer to learn PHP.

Stefan

]]> By: Daniele Pais http://www.killersites.com/blog/2007/the-future-of-the-web-design-profession/comment-page-1/#comment-118924 Daniele Pais Wed, 02 Jan 2008 08:04:57 +0000 http://www.killersites.com/blog/2007/the-future-of-the-web-design-profession/#comment-118924 I agree with Rob Willox, Some time ago (perhaps 5 years), I was one of those building an HTML site from scratch, it would take time and a lot of patience, most of my clients would call me afterwards or post requests of assistance through my web site just for simple updates, some of them where returning clients, some other where sent or recommended by other clients, so at the end of the day at our studio we used to literally spend hours in fixing small details for existing web sites and not charging a penny for it. However with the advent of the modern technologies and scripting such as PHP / MySql driven CMS portals (joomla / Mambo etc.), we have established a completely new system at work. Working with templates? There is nothing to be ashamed about, take any of the joomla commercial templates around, they are great, the site itself offers a lot more interactivity than the previous generation and with a touch of a good "master" more can be added or changed. The good thing is that the clients are happy to subsequently make their own updates and we can focus on going on with our real work. I agree with Rob Willox,

Some time ago (perhaps 5 years), I was one of those building an HTML site from scratch, it would take time and a lot of patience, most of my clients would call me afterwards or post requests of assistance through my web site just for simple updates, some of them where returning clients, some other where sent or recommended by other clients, so at the end of the day at our studio we used to literally spend hours in fixing small details for existing web sites and not charging a penny for it. However with the advent of the modern technologies and scripting such as PHP / MySql driven CMS portals (joomla / Mambo etc.), we have established a completely new system at work. Working with templates? There is nothing to be ashamed about, take any of the joomla commercial templates around, they are great, the site itself offers a lot more interactivity than the previous generation and with a touch of a good “master” more can be added or changed. The good thing is that the clients are happy to subsequently make their own updates and we can focus on going on with our real work.

]]> By: Greg D http://www.killersites.com/blog/2007/the-future-of-the-web-design-profession/comment-page-1/#comment-111441 Greg D Mon, 03 Dec 2007 02:22:51 +0000 http://www.killersites.com/blog/2007/the-future-of-the-web-design-profession/#comment-111441 I think there will always be a market for skilled, creative developers. A lot of folks that need an online presence for their business like to work with a real person; thus, I for one am not worried about the $199 website company or the WYSIWYG online editors. Thing is, I'm out there making friends in my community. Developing relationships with clients, helping them succeed in their business beyond the internet, always giving a little extra scoop of ice-cream... it is those things that will keep food on the table. Seriously, I always joke with my clients that it is their responsibility to spread the word about what I can do for them so that I can focus on keeping their websites functioning 24/7; after all, the internet's viability is dependent upon my being connected to it... that's a joke peeps! Anyway, it all boils down to creativity - my attitude is there is zero competition - I'm as creative as I can be with the skills that I have and no one can take that away from me. I'm not yet where I want to be; I'm further than most and behind quite a few, and since I'm on the "work til I die" retirement program (at least for now), I don't stress out about what I don't know -- I'll learn it eventually. All it takes is a few good clients and the investment of more hours than one should rightfully need in order to establish oneself as a reputable developer. I think someone with half-way decent skills can quit a day job and establish themselves over the course of a year or two. Start now! A journey of a thousand miles... I think there will always be a market for skilled, creative developers. A lot of folks that need an online presence for their business like to work with a real person; thus, I for one am not worried about the $199 website company or the WYSIWYG online editors.

Thing is, I’m out there making friends in my community. Developing relationships with clients, helping them succeed in their business beyond the internet, always giving a little extra scoop of ice-cream… it is those things that will keep food on the table. Seriously, I always joke with my clients that it is their responsibility to spread the word about what I can do for them so that I can focus on keeping their websites functioning 24/7; after all, the internet’s viability is dependent upon my being connected to it… that’s a joke peeps!

Anyway, it all boils down to creativity – my attitude is there is zero competition – I’m as creative as I can be with the skills that I have and no one can take that away from me. I’m not yet where I want to be; I’m further than most and behind quite a few, and since I’m on the “work til I die” retirement program (at least for now), I don’t stress out about what I don’t know — I’ll learn it eventually.

All it takes is a few good clients and the investment of more hours than one should rightfully need in order to establish oneself as a reputable developer. I think someone with half-way decent skills can quit a day job and establish themselves over the course of a year or two. Start now! A journey of a thousand miles…

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