Comments on: What is it about Bad Design?

By: Ross Johnson

Ross Johnson — Thu, 20 Jul 2006 20:07:24 +0000

I think that some people are born with a genetic favor towards creativity (or even being visual). Schools often do studies on how people learn, and visual is one of the catagories.

However, I think that people can learn.

How many designers out there 100% original and creative, and how many of them are borrowing ideas or concepts from outside influences?

Majority of designers to some extent are influenced by other design… we mimic and alter by nature.

Over time I can see people adopting to this mimic and alter, and if they have the right techniques down they can easily start to design quality material.

Those who are naturally more creative and visual will no doubt be making more cutting edge designs, and hopfully be more successful because of it… but success in this industry probably has to do more with sales than talent.

By: Kerri.

Kerri. — Thu, 20 Jul 2006 18:29:40 +0000

I agree with your perspective, Mr. OneRutter. I mean, no one told me that my magazine website looked like garbage until it was redesigned and the collective, “Oh, that’s much better!” rose from the crowd. Leaving me thinking, “Why didn’t you tell me it looked dodgy before?”

Sigh.

Constructive criticism is necessary to the growth of a project and the cultivation of a talent.

By: Jacob

Jacob — Thu, 20 Jul 2006 17:26:48 +0000

Kara, you make some good points that I may have overlooked. But I do think everyone is born with something, some sort of drive or passion. From a young age I believe I have always been creative, not so much the sense of a designer, but I loved gardening and I also loved music. Before I decided to go down the path of becoming a web designer, I wanted to be a landscape architect. I had a passion for plants, which I still posess. I guess I just like making things look good, it is just part of who I am.

Yes, if you are passionate about becoming a designer, you shouldnt let people tell you that you shouldnt become a designer, but I think designers need to have a thick skin. The world around has a great effect on what we do. For example, Im a web designer and after completing a design, it goes through about 5-10 stages of critiques and re-workings. For the first re-design I performed on their site, I must have created 30-40 different design layouts. It is a serious process that shouldnt be overlooked. The point Im trying to get across is that a lot of bad design is a result of not-honest criticism. Designers that cant grow because no one has told them how they really feel, and if they have those designers havent learned from it.

By: Kara

Kara — Thu, 20 Jul 2006 16:45:18 +0000

Design, like art, to some level is subjective. I dont’ think a designer, in order to be good, needs formal training at a prestigious university. I dont’ think that a degree or even comprehensive knowledge of tools like photoshop or illustrator is what makes someone a good designer. But that being said, I certainly don’t think it could hurt either. Obviouly you need to understand some fundamentals and to know how to use your tools. I think good design comes from an instictive place and has a point of view. I also think, that like many other things in life, with enough practice, someone can become proficient at it. As designers I think we all want to believe that there is some ‘intangible’ factor that makes us special, propelling us above the sphere of mere mortals. But the truth is that most of have had to work very hard at becoming better designers. So it’s a good question and one worth exploring. I don’t think there is an easy answer. I think if it’s what you want and you are passionate about it then you shouldn’t listen to people who tell you that you don’t have any talent. VanGogh died a virtual unknown didn’t he? So what the heck do people know anyway.