4 ms·

I think because the mode of criticism and the mode of presentation are the same (the Internet), snobs feel especially threatened and forced to put down amateurs

by scorxn 17y ago

I think because the mode of criticism and the mode of presentation are the same (the Internet), snobs feel especially threatened and forced to put down amateurs. It'd be like amateur and pro photographs hanging in a gallery side-by-side. Meanwhile, the forum you're describing is a neutral ground on another medium.

scorxn 17y ago
Also, a snob who is truly threatened by amateurs is either a) a poor designer himself, or b) a cynic who doesn't respect his audience enough to know good design from bad. In either case, he's not fun to work with.
- potatolicious 17y ago
  I don't think you're being entirely fair - there is a problem with amateurs who reach beyond their abilities. A professional designer generates good work on demand, as opposed to an amateur one who does so at their own pace. In this case, the amateur can have a portfolio of works he's done over years, cherry picking the best, and looking as good as the professional who can do this three times over every week. And customers do not know this. This is the same as it goes in photography: amateurs who have a hit rate of 1% or less can still accumulate a respectable body of good work by sheer time and volume alone. This doesn't mean you can shove them into a wedding reception and get results. I've met many a wedding photographer who complain of amateurs taking their business - and then failing to deliver, thus damaging the image of commercial photographers as a whole. It's hard to say where the line is drawn between competent and incompetent, but either way I think the concern is at least a valid one - there's no good way to surface the real, regularly reproducible quality of work for a designer.
  - scorxn 17y ago
    Yeah, my characterization is unfair. I have a special reservoir of irrational resentment for anyone who would put down someone who creates things, is curious, and actively tries to improve, regardless of his background or current ability. I respect your point about amateur posturing. But I also believe most professionals have to go through that eventually. Sometimes the only way to grow is to overpromise and work your ass off. I don't think that's dishonest, so long as the second part holds true.

by scorxn 17y ago

scorxn 17y ago

Also, a snob who is truly threatened by amateurs is either a) a poor designer himself, or b) a cynic who doesn't respect his audience enough to know good design from bad. In either case, he's not fun to work with.

potatolicious 17y ago
I don't think you're being entirely fair - there is a problem with amateurs who reach beyond their abilities. A professional designer generates good work on demand, as opposed to an amateur one who does so at their own pace. In this case, the amateur can have a portfolio of works he's done over years, cherry picking the best, and looking as good as the professional who can do this three times over every week. And customers do not know this. This is the same as it goes in photography: amateurs who have a hit rate of 1% or less can still accumulate a respectable body of good work by sheer time and volume alone. This doesn't mean you can shove them into a wedding reception and get results. I've met many a wedding photographer who complain of amateurs taking their business - and then failing to deliver, thus damaging the image of commercial photographers as a whole. It's hard to say where the line is drawn between competent and incompetent, but either way I think the concern is at least a valid one - there's no good way to surface the real, regularly reproducible quality of work for a designer.
- scorxn 17y ago
  Yeah, my characterization is unfair. I have a special reservoir of irrational resentment for anyone who would put down someone who creates things, is curious, and actively tries to improve, regardless of his background or current ability. I respect your point about amateur posturing. But I also believe most professionals have to go through that eventually. Sometimes the only way to grow is to overpromise and work your ass off. I don't think that's dishonest, so long as the second part holds true.