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My designs for Exec can definitely be improved - details in the spacing/layout of the website, as well as the branding overall. There are always tradeoffs with

My designs for Exec can definitely be improved - details in the spacing/layout of the website, as well as the branding overall. There are always tradeoffs with design, and we make our tradeoffs consciously at Exec. Our priority is iterating quickly, with a design that is presentable and functional. For us, the 80% design done in a week is better than the 100% design done in a month. Everyone's tradeoff is different - for apps that differentiate themselves on design (Clear, Paper, Flipboard) then it's worth it to take the extra time to get to the 100%. As Coryl mentioned, I am definitely not discounting the value of design school, I have a ton of respect for the designers who come out of design school and I'm considering going myself one day. Design school is expensive, both in time and money. It's 4 years of time and tuition is $$$$. Not everyone can do that. A lot of people just want to learn themselves, and you CAN get good enough to become a professional by self-teaching. My design level isn't up to the standards of devilshaircut - heck, it's not up to the standards of myself yet - but it is up to the standards of many quality companies who are hiring. It's good enough to start a design career, and it's up to you to keep improving through the years.

fnordfnordfnord 13y ago
I think it was a decent blog post, but the title makes me think of this. http://www.27bslash6.com/brochure.html http://www.27bslash6.com/brochure.html And of course in deference to the post above you, the 10yr 10,000 hour rule still applies, but I expect someone like yourself taking a disciplined approach should be able to make a better designer than your average crappity crap for crap Art Institute.
devilshaircut 13y ago
I definitely respect you and your self-starting attitude. It's definitely true that school is expensive and impractical for some people's life's situation. The only thing I take issue with is that the experience can be compensated for in a period of 1-6 months. As you indicate correctly, there are other ways to become a designer outside of design school. In either case, however, it takes a lifetime of dedication and hard work. Reading a few books and designing a few websites is a good first step but it does not a designer make.

fnordfnordfnord 13y ago

I think it was a decent blog post, but the title makes me think of this. http://www.27bslash6.com/brochure.html http://www.27bslash6.com/brochure.html And of course in deference to the post above you, the 10yr 10,000 hour rule still applies, but I expect someone like yourself taking a disciplined approach should be able to make a better designer than your average crappity crap for crap Art Institute.

devilshaircut 13y ago

I definitely respect you and your self-starting attitude. It's definitely true that school is expensive and impractical for some people's life's situation. The only thing I take issue with is that the experience can be compensated for in a period of 1-6 months. As you indicate correctly, there are other ways to become a designer outside of design school. In either case, however, it takes a lifetime of dedication and hard work. Reading a few books and designing a few websites is a good first step but it does not a designer make.