Comments on: Design Atrophy http://jessewarden.com/2004/05/design-atrophy.html A blog on software development, technology, games & movies. Sat, 11 Oct 2008 17:05:50 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5 By: craig babcock http://jessewarden.com/2004/05/design-atrophy.html#comment-1676 craig babcock Wed, 12 May 2004 21:54:23 +0000 http://jessewarden.com/?p=517#comment-1676 Definitely know where you're coming from on this. As an artist turned designer turned programmer, I often feel disconnected from the creative faculties I was once able to tap so readily. It IS a lot like working out - atrophy (and age) certainly effect creativity. Maturity/responsibility also play a part, for all the reasons you've mentioned, not the least of which being money. In the world of business, form is nice, but, function pays the bills. However, there is a positive I am sure you appreciate - no one questions your code. If it works, you're golden. Designers, on the other hand, are constantly challenged by everyone with a pair of eyes (including former designers ;) ). --- Maybe this is the real issue >>> As a programmer, your brilliance is hidden from all but your peers - who are unlikely to ever see your work anyway. It is the designer who ultimately garners the praise because their work is evident. It is very frustrating to build an immaculate machine, when all who see it only marvel at the paint job. If your company/client needs you do some design work, more power to you - but don't you hate it if/when designers mess with your code? So, I say "Good luck with the code!" Definitely know where you’re coming from on this. As an artist turned designer turned programmer, I often feel disconnected from the creative faculties I was once able to tap so readily. It IS a lot like working out - atrophy (and age) certainly effect creativity. Maturity/responsibility also play a part, for all the reasons you’ve mentioned, not the least of which being money. In the world of business, form is nice, but, function pays the bills.

However, there is a positive I am sure you appreciate - no one questions your code. If it works, you’re golden. Designers, on the other hand, are constantly challenged by everyone with a pair of eyes (including former designers ;) ). — Maybe this is the real issue >>> As a programmer, your brilliance is hidden from all but your peers - who are unlikely to ever see your work anyway. It is the designer who ultimately garners the praise because their work is evident. It is very frustrating to build an immaculate machine, when all who see it only marvel at the paint job.

If your company/client needs you do some design work, more power to you - but don’t you hate it if/when designers mess with your code?

So, I say “Good luck with the code!”

]]> By: JesterXL http://jessewarden.com/2004/05/design-atrophy.html#comment-1675 JesterXL Wed, 12 May 2004 17:01:14 +0000 http://jessewarden.com/?p=517#comment-1675 >>> good luck with the design!!! Thanks mang! >>> good luck with the design!!!

Thanks mang!

]]> By: Dominick Accattato http://jessewarden.com/2004/05/design-atrophy.html#comment-1674 Dominick Accattato Wed, 12 May 2004 16:58:36 +0000 http://jessewarden.com/?p=517#comment-1674 I feel your pain on the design issue. I often get so frusterated when doing design work. Things feel repetitious, and when I do actually get a bit of creativity... the project feels user unfriendly. There are so many styles that actually work and still feel friendly. I know that sometimes when I don't feel creative I'll blow up a picture until I can't figure out what I'm looking at. Sometimes that does the trick, kinda like looking at the clouds. You can't let your mouse do the drawing, it has to come from somewhere deeper, somewhere in your imagination. Ohh yeah, having a drink calms me and often gets my creative juices flowin.. good luck with the design!!! I feel your pain on the design issue. I often get so frusterated when doing design work. Things feel repetitious, and when I do actually get a bit of creativity… the project feels user unfriendly. There are so many styles that actually work and still feel friendly. I know that sometimes when I don’t feel creative I’ll blow up a picture until I can’t figure out what I’m looking at. Sometimes that does the trick, kinda like looking at the clouds. You can’t let your mouse do the drawing, it has to come from somewhere deeper, somewhere in your imagination. Ohh yeah, having a drink calms me and often gets my creative juices flowin.. good luck with the design!!!

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