[thelist] Design vs. development

[Tony Crockford]

On Sat, 18 Oct 2003 13:37:17 -0700, J. Anthony Peth <jpeth at mac.com> wrote:


> So, that's what I mean. I want to be self-employed, but be able to
> collaborate with different people when needed. Basically, I want what you
> have described above. I just don't know how to get it.
>
> Tony


this is a really good book:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0735712336/

Integrated Web Design: Building the New Breed of Designer & Developer - 
Molly Holzschlag

which covers the topic of your concern.

Getting in to freelance web site construction requires you to exhibit your 
skills in some way to people who have work for you, which may not be the 
direct customer, but often is another freelancer.

do you have a portfolio site?

A lot of freelance web site builders work in teams where skill sets 
overlap.

I work with a database specialist and a graphic artist to complement my 
"developer" based skills and sometimes still need to engage other 
freelancers for specific tasks.  I work from home, do pretty well.  I've 
worked with graphic designers overseas and locally, see nothing strange 
about commissioning work without ever meeting the freelancer and I'm sure 
I'm not the only one.

the best "designers" are those that work within the constraints of the 
medium, in the same way as Architects understand how a building is 
constructed by understanding the nature of the materials used.

The best web sites are constructed using the best skills in a range of 
disciplines, some people have high level skills in a number of the 
required areas, others are specialists in only one.

You need todecide on where your strengths lie and promote yourself as 
firstly a specialist in one area and secondly having a broad understanding 
of the other areas of expertise.

build sites for friends, family and local companies to build up a 
portfolio and show us what you do best and what else you know and network, 
network, network.

another freelancers list you might enjoy (uk centric and quite high noise, 
but fun):

http://www.freelancers.net/forum.php


<rant>
Something  I think this industry needs is some clearer definition of the 
roles, responsibilities and job titles, is there a standard?  I mean, I 
think most people understand the role of architect, surveyor and builder 
when applied to architectural construction and they have a good idea what 
an interior designer does compared to a decorator.

Isn't it about time our industry agreed on what Information Architects, 
designers and developers do?

I love the new one - interaction engineer was it?
</rant>

;o)

Tony







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