Part 1 of a 3 Part Series
What do clients want from a web site? EVERYTHING! They want it to reflect their brand, look better than all their competitors, be slick, fast, functional (shopping carts, blogs, forums and other interactive bells and whistles), all while facilitating a #1 rank on Google and Yahoo – AND they want to be able to change some of the pictures and content themselves once the site is complete. On a tight time line and tight budget.
In an effort to keep pace with the rapidly growing demands of clients, two opposing industry trends emerged somewhat simultaneously: professionals interested in working on web sites focused on either web design or web development (I’m using the term development broadly to describe coders, programmers and presentation layer professionals – the people who put FUN in functional web sites). About the same time, clients/employers began to expect that they could hire a web designer who would know HTML/CSS and Flash (and perhaps PHP or ASP.NET), or hire a web developer with ideation, typography and design skills. We at C2 call those folks RARE birds. They’re out there, but they are the exception, not the norm.
Is it reasonable to expect to find those divergent skill sets in one person? Ask an employer/client, they’ll say YES!! Ask your typical designer or developer and they’ll recommend that employers/clients build a team of specialists to create a site together.
Part 1 of this 3 part series starts to explore the different viewpoints of designers and developers, which we hope will result in identifying best practices for web design/development, to better the outcome for ALL.
I took a poll (I said be brief like on Twitter, but didn’t actually count to make sure the answers were 140 characters or less) of several designers and developers (including a couple of the aforementioned rare birds).
Christina DeCheck
Who are you?
Loyal Mac User, planner and creative thinker. I’m addicted to change, variety and learning new things. I consider myself to be a ‘work in progress’.
What is your professional sweet spot?
Versatility. I wouldn’t say I am an expert at anything, but I have a general idea about a lot of design and photography related things. What I don’t know I am willing to learn. I admit my weaknesses and take criticism for the common goal of producing good work.
From YOUR perspective, what is the most challenging aspect of working with a developer or designer?
Knowing how to communicate what you want to get out of a project, when you don’t necessarily understand the steps to get to the final goal. A designer and developer think differently and being able to understand how to make each other’s jobs easier is an important step to take. (this is kinda adapted from working with clients in general…)
What does it look like when the collaboration works well?
I’m not sure I’ve seen it work yet. Give me a few more months in corporate America and maybe I’ll have a better answer. 
DeChazier Stokes-Johnson
Who are you?
Art Director at JWD-Creative
What is your professional sweet spot?
Typography (classic and custom), thoughtful conceptually-driven/detail-oriented design.
From YOUR perspective, what is the most challenging aspect of working with a developer or designer?
For me it would be making sure that the integrity of the design is communicated properly.
What does it look like when the collaboration works well?
When the design and navigation melts away and the content is effortlessly acquired.
Devon Smullen
Who are you?
Designer with over 15 years experience in print and web design with (very) solid skills in HTML/CSS, JS and Flash
What is your professional sweet spot?
Where the technical and aesthetic are one.
From YOUR perspective, what is the most challenging aspect of working with a developer or designer?
Developers often take the easy-but-not-as-beautiful path rather than the difficult-but-way-cool-looking path.
What does it look like when the collaboration works well?
When collaboration between a designer and developer works well, the end product is well-structured, highly-usable, accessibility-compliant, SEO-friendly, unobtrusively-coded and DROP DEAD GORGEOUS!
Ed Knutson
Who are you?
I’m a Java/PHP/Drupal/JavaScript developer recently transitioned to mobile apps, mainly iPhone.
What is your professional sweet spot?
Getting the requirements from the customer and bringing them to the software people. I have people skills.
From YOUR perspective, what is the most challenging aspect of working with a developer or designer?
The challenge is usually getting variable sized content into a fixed sized space. Getting designers to understand constraints they impose.
What does it look like when the collaboration works well?
You get a site/app that is functional, flexible and aesthetically pleasing.
Matt Richardson
Who are you?
Technology strategist with a passion for community and creativity.
What is your professional sweet spot?
Integrating with strategic plans to help organizations meet objectives with information management and communication plans.
From YOUR perspective, what is the most challenging aspect of working with a developer or designer?
Communication either way. Getting the needs and intent across, and getting on the same page.
What does it look like when the collaboration works well?
It looks like it should, works like it should, and everyone is proud of the results.
Romke De Haan
Who are you?
Design AND Developer (prefer to be called a Technical Architect)
What is your professional sweet spot?
Flash Platform Development/Motion Design
From YOUR perspective, what is the most challenging aspect of working with a developer or designer?
Not understanding the rules of each discipline.
What does it look like when the collaboration works well?
Someone who respects your knowledge but also not afraid to give an opinion
Wren Bach
Who are you?
Creative/Art director for Discovery World, former CD, AD and graphic designer for advertising agencies in Milwaukee, LA and Toronto areas.
What is your professional sweet spot?
Well thought out, simple concepts that delve into deeper content and translate across all media. Whether print, collateral, environmental, broadcast or interactive.
From YOUR perspective, what is the most challenging aspect of working with a developer or designer?
Two major hurtles that I have come across:
Aesthetic. Not enough developers have the attention to visual detail that a traditional designer or production artist would have, which comes directly from not working hand-in-hand with the creative team. Many developers have been secluded and not part of the concept and execution process.
This point leads to my second challenge with developers, having little knowledge or training in communicating with an audience. For awhile there was just putting out the coolest code innovations (eg. refer to the era of flash intros) rather than looking at interactive sites that the audience may/or may not use as a tool or as a point of reference in their lifestyle. Something that is the groundwork in traditional media.
However, this is changing. The more creative directors and art directors trust & include the talents & knowledge of their developers, and the the developer understands that the CD or AD is there to improve and push the work, communication and the work itself improves and innovates the use of this media within the larger context.
What does it look like when the collaboration works well?
Inclusion, listening, trust and respect by both parties. It’s that simple.
Look for Parts 2 & 3 next year!
Part 2: Developer/designer roundtable: Topics: trends in web technology, collaborative challenges and successes.
Part 3: Workshop announcement: Some of the brightest minds from each side of the industry will create evening workshops to share best practices and network.
He tested at the professional level+ in Illustrator and Photoshop and Professional in InDesign. He has an exceptional eye for clean, modern design and balances his B2B work with edgy contemporary design for CD designs. Keith has designed print ads, sales collateral, CD covers, newsletters, annual reports and more. He is highly creative and works well on a team. He has a dry wit and keen sense of humor. Keith is available full or part-time, for projects, temp to hire, or direct hire.
Jon P is an award winning graphic and web designer with experience in print, web design and multi-media creation. He tested at the C2 professional level Photoshop and Flash and web development, and at professional+ in Illustrator. Jon has a strong understanding of the creative and technical aspects of web site development. Jon is available full or part-time, for projects, temp to hire or direct hire.
Aaron P. is a brilliant senior-level designer/art director who can do it all!! He has a book demonstrating his savvy, witty eye for good design along with strong technical skills. He tested at the professional level in Photoshop, professional+ in Illustrator and exceptional in InDesign. Aaron excels at concepting and ideation, web design, typesetting, directing a team of free lancers and photo shoots, establishing brand standards, and more. He is an experienced Fireworks user and is currently learning Flash and Dreamweaver. Aaron is available full or part-time, for projects, temp to hire, or direct hire.
