Web Programmers vs Web Designers

I'm not sure why creatives and marketers question a programmers understanding of basic design principles. For the most part, programmers get it. If it blinks–people click it, if it moves in a direction–people follow it, if it populates the screen in a certain hierarchical fashion–the lead object holds the eye as a guiding quadrant. Design at its root, is meant to be simple in comprehension. At the least, it's perceived as something simple after the experience. And always will be. It does not have to look simple or be simple-minded, but simply understood.

I think programmers understand these concepts just fine. Which is why certain sites look they way they do. Branding is of no concern to them. There is no emotional context when you are working pragmatically or in a linear fashion. Marketers need to understand a simple rule when dealing with programmers; if/then followed by else/this; True or false; 1 or 0. There is no abstraction within programming, it is a linear process. One that is predicated by, if this happens then this will happen, or else this will happen, as a result. The *Starburst* mentality ( make it bigger, shinier, bolder, ) should be nixed before any work begins.

In my humble opinion–great usability is defined after development and, well–usability testing. First-hand empirical observation of users inevitably define the proper use. Or a use that will be most intuitive to the mass majority. Google and craigslist have survived just fine with mundane interface experiences. If not for the sole reason, they were the first and most prominent. And familiarity has led to their *successful interface design. Not great design. Never mind that a user has specific objectives when they use a search engine. They are not looking to be entertained. They we're perusing and scanning discriminately.

Seekers do not want to be distracted.
Users do not want to be bored.

There is no data that proves usability as a driving force behind effective interface/web site design. It only proves that users want to use what they want, how they want it. Portability of content is critical, but does not define Usages. Marketers and Programmers seem to forget that sometimes. Once video has been integrated as an application beyond the passive medium it is now, usability will be redefined again. Mo-graphers will probably take center-stage as the experts and I wouldn't be surprised if typographers found a critical roll in this development as well.

Interface, navigation and usability all contribute to brand equity, as they are results of the experience itself and are later defined by each user respectively. Programmers only need to understand how you want something to function. Most components within a site can be easily redesigned on the front-end.

Marketers should be applying their ethnographical insights and skills when they communicate with team members. Jargon and buzzwords are meaningless to a programmer who understands the importance of semantics and literal/linear thinking.

As the lead, you're the strategist and the bridge between the gaps.
Communicate your problem in a relative context. The same way branding approaches prospects.

MUSIC BRANDS - 6 MISCONCEPTIONS

Found this on Jon Crowley's blog, The Broken Gentlemen, and I like the thinking behind these six points.


1. Piracy has ruined the business for everyone except the massive acts. Actually, the massive acts were generally the only ones making lots of money (for the recording industry). Piracy has cut back on that, so labels can no longer offset the losses from other projects with the massive income from a few hit records.

2. The label system / the recording industry is dead. No way in hell. What's dead is that entire engine existing to create recorded music, and make money off recorded music. What's coming is a label system that focuses on it's ability to break acts, broker cross promotions, and generate income from it's network of merchandising partners.

3. Independent artists will suffer. Independent artists always suffered, if we're defining independent as 'not a major act'. If we're defining independent as 'mainstream but angrier', please go read a different blog.

4. 'Real Fans' will pay for music. Music, now that it is available in unrestricted (and infinitely copyable) digital files, isn't worth money. Real fans will pay for an experience, or a collectible, or a memory.

5. Fans will pay for ease of use, or a simpler experience. Piracy is, for a notable segment of the population, easier than having a credit card. Therefore, piracy is not going to be trumped in terms of ease of use, or user experience.

6. NIN / Radiohead / Livenation will figure it out. These entities are going to figure out how established names continue to make large amounts of money in a changing marketplace. But, this has no real bearing on discovering how to freshly establish names, and then make large amounts of money, in this new marketplace.


"Keep this in mind while you consider how to change this industry."


Positive thinking for an industry that continually plays the wounded doe. Wonder how this would effect branding. As Jon mentions NIN as a for-runner to the innovation front–NIN has done some great work regarding their promotions and new music offerings. They have a strong understand of the internet and it's inner-workings. They also understand one fundamental thing, its about the fans. And entertaining them through all touch-points, on their terms.

CREATIVITY AS COMMODITY

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I recently tried to present this at a PKN event. I didn't do so well and frankly, it wasn't the right venue for discussion/debate or tomato-tossers. PKN= 20 slides, each slide presented in 20 seconds... No fuss.

Chris Wodja and Kellie Osgood put this little shin-dig on and have successfully completed 2-out-the-4 meet-ups required by PKN.

Tonight, while writing this post, I received a ping from Paul Isakson's blog. Once I followed, I noticed a recent post containing a presentation that compliments mine in various ways. It seems that everyone is starting to see the same things happen. Actually, its been happening for a while, some just refused to admit/embrace it.

Please keep in-mind, I was talking through portions of this to keep pace, so slides may disconnect conceptually. Feedback is always appreciated!