Is Web Design a Gated Community?
Recently, I’ve noticed something. There are a ton of “web designers.” No, really! There’s a lot of people who design for the web nowadays! More and more people are discovering for themselves the joy of making something for all the internet to enjoy.
So what’s up with the title of this post?
Here’s the problem I see. It’s so, so easy to call yourself a “web designer.” Just print up a few business cards, right? Well, sort of.
I would argue that the way to actually be a web designer, and not just say you are, is to be a part of the web design community. No, to me it’s not when you’re first time you design a website, or even the first time somebody hires you to design a website.
Being a designer in this day in age means engaging in the community, not just standing on the outside, watching. You can design as many websites as you like, but you’re not really a web designer until you actively decide to participate our little patch of the internet.
This is how I see it: any designer that doesn’t participate is in a sort of limbo. A limbo where no one really cares about what you say.
In this way, web design is a gated community. Although it’s a different type of gated community, one where everyone has the key. All you have to do is open the gate.
So similarly are you suggesting that someone who develops websites/web apps for a living is ONLY a web developer if they are active in the community?
Though i do agree with you in that I think that any self respecting designer/developer SHOULD be active in the community?
many people have their choice for their hobby, or jobs. If design web just hobby, that not much need appreciate from another, because its just for fun. But if design web was jobs you are, you must be get much of feedback for your design make.
I think that real webdesigners are the ones who make it for a living…
Please include design as a living.
Opinionate those people who make it from designing.
Oppress those who ridicule design.
Pass on the word.
i love acronyms.
This is where you start to get some grey areas. How do you define participating? Is a web designer with brilliant design and very little interaction with the community better or worse that a designer with very poor design but a high level of interaction? I think there’s a healthy medium – a perfect balance between good design and friendly interaction.
Perhaps you could add some food for thought by giving examples of the ways designers interact with the community, and the pros and cons of each?
Also, how come the last post I can find on this site is from September 2010? You had a good thing going here – are you planning on blogging again any time soon?
+1 I’m a firm believe that web designing is more than something you do for a living. For me, it’s a way of life. Sure I’d like to be paid for it, but whether or not I am, I have a passion for design that keeps me involved with the design and development community. I think that passion is what distinguishes designers from “designers”.
What i think you should do is encourage web designers to participate and be active in communities. i slightly disagree with the notion that if you do not participate in web design communities you are not a web designer its more like saying if you are not playing in the NBA then you are not a basketball player. eye opening article though.