Web Design is HARD

My career in technology focused on developing the backend of web systems - dealing with the authentication, database, deployment, etc.

I never had to work on the front end - in a way I always poo-poo-ed them because front end work is all visual, it’s so easy to know when things work or don’t work.

I also studied design enough to appreciate good design, how to analyze what makes a design work and doesn’t work through my time at Sony and reading Norman Nielsen’s The Design of Everyday Things. (Thanks Joel Spolsky!)

Yet, now when I am working on the other side of technology - on making a website, I realize how wrong I was.

Web Design is HARD

Web design is visual, that’s the easy part - there’s so layers and layers of theory required to even make something that is functional, easy, and appealing.

The tools available for someone to make a web page are plentiful - problem is how to apply these tools effectively.

Tooling is one thing - there are other branches of knowledge for a good web designer: color theory, typography, branding, messaging, graphic design, etc.

It’s a lot more than just putting stuff on a page!

To all web designers out there - I respect you. Web design is tough work takes a lot knowledge to be great at the craft.

Now for me to start honing my craft…