Re: OT design vs programming?

[Mark Sottilaro <sine@zerocrossing.net>]

Dude, that stuff is so easy.  I do most of that stuff before breakfast.  I
could design a new EDP too, but I don't want to.

Mark

lance glover wrote:

> Tom Ritchford wrote:
>
> > No insult intended, Mark, but visual design takes a lot less
> > background to get right than hardware or software engineering.
> > It's, er, easier....
>
> um, sorry?
>
> this seems like a really silly statement. following your line of
> reasoning i suppose you could say that learning to play the violin
> really well is much easier than "getting it right" in hardware or
> software engineering. everybody thinks what they do is challenging and
> requires the years of study and experience they have put into it. i have
> been in the design field longer than you have been a professional
> programmer (btw, i checked out your resume. very impressive, but not
> very well designed). i have worked on all manner of projects, from
> comprehensive wayfinding programs for cities and airports, through large
> and small-scale corporate identity, packaging and book design. i've
> designed exhibits, retail showrooms and custom furniture; created
> environmental graphics for large-scale multi-venue sporting events and
> developed color palettes for auto manufacturers. heck, i've even
> designed custom high-end textiles for major corporate boardrooms and
> 12-color venetian terrazzo floors for saks fifth avenue. right now i'm
> prototyping my own line of furniture, on top of running a full-time
> graphic design studio, which i've been doing for the last eight years.
>
> most of these projects have required working as a member of a team,
> adding "more complexity and risk" in your words. it is always
> challenging, and when i feel i am doing my best it is very gratifying.
> "good" design like "good" programming, requires much more depth of
> involvement than what you characterize. it is well you are able to
> design simple web sites. generally the simpler the better, especially
> with that medium, though the tools available today for such work often
> obscure the difference between fair looking stuff and excellent design.
> i can also pick up a stradivarius and get a decent tone. but REALLY
> PLAYING it is something else and, to paraphrase your words, even though
> i may know what i want it to sound like, i couldn't possibly "implement
> it in a guaranteed flawless fashion". design is no different.
>
> respectful apologies for the rant.
>
> lance g.