The Worst Part Of Web Design

[dannynosleeves]

Originally Posted by Toon

I like starting, it's when you've been working on one too long and the clients made too many bad design decisions and the project just feels stale

I hate that part as well. Whats even worse is when you dont know when to stop tweaking a finished website!

[sparky]

I agree Danny. I've been tweaking Ripplecups for ages, mainly content-wise though. Luckily it's an internal project so it doesn't really matter how much I tweak it.

[Toon]

Great little plug there Lauren

[sparky]

Yeah I thought so too..
And can I just take the time to say what a great marketing tool the branded cups are..

...ok enough now. ;)

[Toon]

No GDF cups?

[afox]

I always seem to get stuck with clients that want to make every change in the world before any real progress is made. I've adopted a very strict policy of after they agree on a layout style, they don't really see it until its about 95% done. I find that almost every client, if given the chance, will make changes because it confuses them to see a website not complete. They don't view things like we / I do. I see a header for instance, and I can visualize most of the website. Where as the client sees the header and can't visualize anything else. So at 95%, they see a real website and are more often than not going to avoid any HUGE changes that slow things down.

words of wisdom from afox. lol

[Zaoris]

Originally Posted by afox

I always seem to get stuck with clients that want to make every change in the world before any real progress is made. I've adopted a very strict policy of after they agree on a layout style, they don't really see it until its about 95% done. I find that almost every client, if given the chance, will make changes because it confuses them to see a website not complete. They don't view things like we / I do. I see a header for instance, and I can visualize most of the website. Where as the client sees the header and can't visualize anything else. So at 95%, they see a real website and are more often than not going to avoid any HUGE changes that slow things down.

words of wisdom from afox. lol

It's easy mate: say no. Or.."Who's the designer here? You?"
I have many friends that used to tell me that..and I learnt it's better to say 'no' even if the client leaves, it helps your moral.
Clients always try doing those things: "do that, now that, now put some pink there". They don't really understand designing...so, you're in control.

[Laura Lynne]

I'm maybe going to get loads of abuse for this but I've worked in every field of design, and I'm by no means a pro myself but webdesigners get the worst wrap. People don't know enough about logo design, type design etc. But everybody today thinks they're a web designer. (I blame frontpage)

If you can't do it leave it the pro's but don't try to pretend like you know what you're doing at all.

[afox]

Originally Posted by Laura Lynne

I'm maybe going to get loads of abuse for this but I've worked in every field of design, and I'm by no means a pro myself but webdesigners get the worst wrap. People don't know enough about logo design, type design etc. But everybody today thinks they're a web designer. (I blame frontpage)

If you can't do it leave it the pro's but don't try to pretend like you know what you're doing at all.

Laura, Website Design is just like every other field of business out there. You have the people who are really good, the best of the best, the people that really suck badly and shouldn't be playing, and the majority of people who fall in between who do really well for themselves but could always learn more.

Your right though about frontpage, its a catastrophe that's enabled anyone with a computer to start a web design company. Though it doesn't take people long to figure out the differences between a designer and a frontpage designer. I personally know of at least 5 'designers' that work like that. They've acquired frontpage and now build page after page, site after site, contributing to the **** all over the internet. (personal opinion). Most seem to go to joomla next I've found.

edit*** those *'s up there are certainly not a swear word in my part of the world :)

[Mack]

Originally Posted by Laura Lynne

I'm maybe going to get loads of abuse for this but I've worked in every field of design, and I'm by no means a pro myself but webdesigners get the worst wrap. People don't know enough about logo design, type design etc. But everybody today thinks they're a web designer. (I blame frontpage)

If you can't do it leave it the pro's but don't try to pretend like you know what you're doing at all.

hells yes laura. unfortunately this is a battle we will always fight and its in every industry not just website design. People pretending to be what they are not to make a buck.