Re: Striving to be Better
I must say I did not expect my previous blog to get the response it got. I was a little apprehensive about writing my thoughts on that particular “subject’ (and they were my personal thoughts, for future reference) because I feared people would misinterpret what I said, be told I took things too seriously, and/or be told that “Websites are for fun, you can’t tell people what to do!”
Needless to say, I was told all those things and more.
This blog was going to be another Interesting Links post, but I thought—Oh what the hell, let’s clear the air. I’ll be responding to most of the comments I got on my last entry, because I got some interesting ideas and comments and it only makes sense to respond to them here, where it’s appropriate.
[...] I know I’m always trying to brush up my skills too. x_x (Even though they’re mostly in the coding arena so it’s background work no one can see and appreciate. :( ) - Rilla
Even if no one can see it, you’re still trying, and that’s all that matters. You’re making a conscious decision to make sure your website stands at its best, which was my entire point.
[...] I guess, it all depends on what you need your website for. Some just want o showcase their offline work/life… others (like you) consider the website so much more. - Vera
I wasn’t really gearing my blog towards people that blog. I don’t look at writers as webdesigners. It’s not the same as if someone were to say “I love webdesign!” but they never work to get better at it.
I don’t think actually “being better” at web design/coding is the important part, but rather the trying. You can copy and paste valid syntax, you can pretend you have an ounce of talent in photoshop all you like - these things take seconds to demonstrate. It’s the actual getting up, having a go, changing your code, trying out new stuff - all of that matters, whether or not the person “fails” in the end. - Jem
You expressed it a lot better than I did. I agree, it’s all in the trying. However, people that try get better over time. I believe coding and design is all trial and error, and you learn from those. After 2+ years of owning a website and trying, I expect improvement. Of myself, mostly.
Sometimes though, it’s a bit hard to let go on your old habits and try something new, like in my case, it takes me ages to decide to try a new navigation style. Sometimes the changes are really about your mark up and coding skills, and like Rilla said, it goes almost unnoticed. All in all, we have to strive to be better, and that implies every aspect of our website and life. - Regina
I agree. I always find myself getting stuck with a particular style I like, so sometimes I have to force myself out of it and try something new. Nine times out of ten I like it better. And yes, we do have to strive to be better online and off—otherwise, what’s the point?
I agree - I just don’t see the point to it. If I was the same as I was four years ago I’d still be using Microsoft Frontpage and Tahoma size 8pt. Change… change is good. - Matt
Oh I agree. I think about the layouts that were all the rage in 2003 and I cringe.
I disagree. I don’t believe you need to “improve” your skills to enjoy designing. Some people believe they have reached their peek in design and don’t want to bother furthering their knowledge in HTML and CSS. Of course, I have learned my fair share over time, but some people don’t feel the need to, nor do they have the time (in some situations). It all falls back on doing what you enjoy. - Brandi
I never said you needed to improve your skills to enjoy designing. I said people who claim to love webdesign and don’t feel the need to improve is ridiculous. If you’re an artist, you won’t be using the same tools you used last year. There are constantly new tools, techniques, and styles coming out. I don’t understand why people who claim to love webdesign would just let themselves stop learning. “Don’t bother furthering their knowledge”—Are you a real webdesigner then? If you don’t want to learn any more? I haven’t really thought about it, but it doesn’t sound good any way I put it. Again, being a writer doesn’t make you a designer.
I think I always try to improve, but the effort and even success aren’t always obvious. But as long as I know that I’m doing my best, then I’m satisfied :) I’d like to see some of your old designs or content! - Kaylee
I might do this in another blog post. Give you guys some lulzy past designs/layouts.
What I hate is people too stubborn to grow and realize that what they are doing is kind of obsolete for a reason. Example: Tiny text layouts. It is especially annoying when people are all stuck-up over their outdated sites. - J
Those were the people I was thinking of when I wrote the post, actually. People who scream they love webdesign and call themselves webdesigners and are still stuck in 2001.
Ummm… can we say, “hobby.” For some people, like me, that is all web design is: it’s a hobby. I do it for fun, and I would rather not have other web designers breathing down my necks because my website isn’t 2.0 or some crap like that. It’s just something I do for fun.- Kimmie
Lol. Ummmmm… can we say “defensive much”? Webdesign is a hobby, of course. We don’t get paid to do this. I wonder: what web designers have been breathing down your neck lately? You seem a little bitter. “Because my website isn’t 2.0 or some crap like that”—... Do you feel 2.0 is crap? I happen to like the 2.0 look. It’s sophisticated, accessible, and it’s a step up from the usual.
I also have a life beyond the web: jewelry, scrapbooking, reading, dungeons and dragons, warhammer 40k, video games, school, work, etc. So if I don’t spend all of my free time on my website, you’ll have to forgive me, nor do I want your pity. Quite frankly, I don’t care about how a site looks as long as it is readable, navigable, and has quality content that I enjoy reading. But since you want your website to stand as it’s best: here’s a fantastic web design tip. Make your comment text box the same width as the actual posted comment. This way people don’t need to use the preview button, not that it works anyway. - Kimmie
Expression Engine does the Preview thing. I just insert the code. I’m sorry if it doesn’t work, I’ll try to fix that.
What really got me about this comment is how personal it seems. Hey Kimmie, for your information, this blog wasn’t geared towards you. It wasn’t a personal attack, and as such you shouldn’t feel so defensive or agressive towards what I wrote. I’m not claiming to be better than anyone - I was expressing my opinion. If you don’t agree with it, respectfully express your thoughts or shut the fuck up.
P.S. Check out Neonglow MB! It’s sexy.
Whenever I’ve read Kimmie’s comments on other sites (and mine), she’s always got a huge fucking branch (not a twig!) up her ass. I usually just skip over what she has to say, because it’s not usually worth thinking about. :P
I think what the problem is for the people you’re exposed to the most, is because they really don’t know that there is more to design than what they’ve already been exposed to and that noone has really complained/given enough feedback for them to warrant researching and trying to learn more.
I think it’s just a security blanket. They’re so used to it, that the idea of changing, maybe it just scares them.