Why Web Designers are “Low-hanging Fruit”
Noah Stokes rants about the lack of professionalism in the web design industry. There are several reasons listed, ones involving IE6, Smashing Magazine posts, mentoring, and passion. But this first point got me thinking:
First, stop thinking your client is stupid. Your client is not stupid. I don’t care if they want an all Flash site sized at 800×600 with a dancing unicorn for the navigation. You may laugh at them behind their back, just remember, they laugh at you when OMG, your precious Tweeter is down. We are in the services industry. Get used to it. Your client is your lifeline. Show them the respect they deserve, even if they don’t deserve it.
Admit it: we’ve all mocked our clients and snickered at their choices at some point. A lot of us continue to do so.
There’s a lot to be said about the trials our kind face—dozens of comic strips tell the tale, Dilbert being the most prominent. But when did it become “cool” to act all holier-than-thou over project specifications? What sparked this trend to act like this misunderstood artist, this “chosen one” enduring torturous quests in the epic battle versus this monster of a client? Is it specific to this industry or happening elsewhere too?
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I think there is a lot wide-sweeping nonesense in yours and noah’s post. I for one am very professional and don’t display most of the traits that are highlighted in these posts, and most of the designers I know aren’t like your examples either.
It seems to me that there is a small minority of people who are unprofessional and whinge and moan about IE6 or the latest problem, but I think the majority (at least the circles I work/socialise in) do just get on with it.
By Colin on October 9, 2009 5:56 pm
I don’t recognize myself – or any of my partners and competitors – in this portrait. In fact, i started dowing websites almost 10 years ago because i knew something most folks did not. And i was happy to guide them into making the internet a useful tool for them, working on their “online presence” and share the passion and excitement of this new frontier. And then clients teach me a lot about my practice, how to do it, how the folk-on-the-street uses and perceives the internet. I’ve always thought i’m the one to adapt to them, not the other way around. this way i can learn, and this learning nurture my passion, not only for the internet, but for mankind. The web is my purpose on Earth- make sure people get the most out of it, and make it a fabulous place to have our minds walk on. I feel very humble about this and i have never had a customer not listening to sound arguments on things like: “flash or not flash, let see the technology choice after we understand exactly what you want and need. Let’s see what you want when you say you want a flash website”.
I think it’s all about letting the customer do what he knows best: explain the problem, and work with the provider, letting him design the solution.
In the end, it’s all about becoming your customer’s business partner: he needs to know what you’re good for and that you can listen to him and understand his needs. This way, he’ll turn to you for solutions.
By Alexandre Plennevaux on October 12, 2009 4:39 pm
I think you are talking about the wannabe webdesigners? Rather than real Web Designers who take their craft very seriously and with passion.
By Gafro on October 12, 2009 11:33 pm
it might be worth testing this site in firefox !
By Alistair on October 13, 2009 11:05 pm
Nice reminders. I think regardless of which industry we’re in, everyone is prone to this at one time or another, because we’ve seen clients make foolish choices – but you are so right! The fact is that they need us, or they wouldn’t be hiring us in the first place. It’s time to get out the golden rule, dust it off, and put it back into regular use!
By Laura Orsini on September 30, 2011 5:52 am