Re: The difference between designers and developers

I prefer George's definition...

"...  typically designers look at a system from the outside-in and
developers look at the system from the inside out."

To condone an isolationist attitude where designers think display and
developers to think engineering will ultimately result in designers
retrofitting interfaces to non-intuitive system models ­ essentially
'polishing a turd' if you will pardon the expression.

How can we expect to make good interaction models if the two disciplines do
not empathise and work with one another? Empathy requires knowledge and
respect of one's counterpart. Empathy is different to actually 'doing' the
other's job and I would certainly advocate clear and different job roles.
But a clear appreciation that the two are intertwined, will always yield not
only superior results, but happier teams.

Focus is important, but to define the two clearly as totally separate, I
think makes an opening for a lack of empathy and communication.

Anthony Colfelt
  Senior Designer | BBCi Development & Services
    6th Floor | Bush House - NW | Strand | London WC2B 4PH
      PH: 0207 557 3471 | MOB: 0779 617 4878
        [email protected]


> From: "Todd R. Warfel" <[email protected]>
> Reply-To: "Todd R. Warfel" <[email protected]>
> Date: Thu, 2 Oct 2003 12:57:36 -0400
> To: [email protected]
> Subject: Re: The difference between designers and developers
>
> It's a general observation, and a distinction that I think is correct
> and proper. I wouldn't call it an attitude, as that comes with some
> baggage. I would say, however, that I think the distinction is correct
> and advised.
>
> By lacking proper roles, responsibilities, and focus, it's actually
> more difficult for a designer or developer to do their job to the
> maximum benefit of the team and the product. The lack of focus leads to
> product delays, or lower quality products.
>
> The other factor to keep in mind is that designer's and developer's
> mindsets are typically different, and therefore operate differently. We
> are both problem solvers in our own right. However, we tend to focus on
> different things. We have different objectives. And it's not unusual
> for those objectives to collide.
>
> I'm not saying it's impossible to find a designer who's a good
> developer, or a developer who's a good designer. I'm saying that it's
> extremely rare and ill-advised.
>
> You don't use a Swiss Army knife in the kitchen to mince and dice a
> gourmet meal.
>
> On Thursday, October 2, 2003, at 12:28 PM, Anthony Colfelt wrote:
>
>> Todd said:
>> "Designers concentrate on look-and-feel. A designer's goal is to create
>> environments and interactions that the audience has an emotional or
>> tactical connection to. They typically achieve this through good
>> interaction design, usability practices, and visual appeal. They're
>> often concerned with things like colour, font, screen placement, naming
>> conventions, etc."
>>
>> Todd, can you clarify if you're asserting this as a general
>> observation, or
>> whether you would condone this attitude please? I would like to know
>> whether
>> to take umbrage at being lumped into this definition.
>
> Cheers!
>
> Todd R. Warfel
> User Experience Architect
> Message First | making products easier to use
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> In theory, theory and practice are the same.
> In reality, they are not.
>
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