Martin Ringlein of n’clud recently wrote a post called
“Should Web Designers Know How to Code?”:

All designers must know the medium and canvas in which they design for. How can a sculptor sculpt without knowing the difference in stones? How can a painter paint without knowing the difference in brushes, paint or canvas? How can a print designer create without knowing about the printing process, types of paper stock or difference between CMYK and RGB? And how can a web designer design without knowing how to code, or at least how the code works? The important aspect to mention is that a web designer must know how to code, but doesn’t need to or have to actually code.

I started to write a comment and realized I really had a blog post…

I find myself smack in the middle of this debate all too often and I can’t agree with Martin more. I especially disagree with the argument “that designers who code will let that knowledge limit their design “. Thats a load of crap and a poor excuse. Since I have learned CSS and HTML it has allowed me to see the big picture, understanding the limitations puts me in the position to think of new ways to push the boundaries. Some important advantages of knowing HTMLand CSS as a designer (in addition to the ones that Martin has listed) are:

Being able to estimate budgets and timelines more effectively. A designer who understands how much work it will take a developer to execute their design can more effectively design within budget constraints.

Cutting corners on load time. The first time I shaved several seconds off of a site for replacing image based navigation with one that utilized system fonts felt great. The satisfaction of knowing the user was not going to have to wait a few seconds longer was a release on that anal retentive print mentality that it had to be that very specific font.

Appreciation for Bad Asses. Its one thing to be a killer designer but its another to be a bad ass. My biggest “AHA! moment” came when I experienced the site of a developer who was just as innovative in his use of javascript as he was in his use of beautiful swiss typography. There is a creativity in development that you can not understand until you learn it and it will change the way you look at the web. Don’t miss out.

Remember designers; a Photoshop document is not your canvas. A PSD file will do nothing on the internet but take a really long time to download.

Disagree? I would love to hear opposing opinions… I know they are out there.

The Helvetica Film DVD ($20)
An essential addition to any Designer’s movie collection.

Swiss Army Knife with Thumb Drive 1GB ($78)
In case you have to save a file in a pinch or widdle a wooden figurine. I got this one for Christmas a few years ago and I use it constantly.

Pitter Patter Umbrella ($49)
Be inspired even when its not so nice outside.

Book Journal ($13)
Everyone has a Moleskine these days… so why not be different. These journals are made from recycled books and include original pages. Some even have vintage notes written in them… making each truly unique.

Old School Mac Icon Note Cards ($2.99)
Susan Kare Icons on All sorts of apparel (price varies)
Susan Kare designed the old school Mac icon set in the early 80s (um, an original BadAss), at this price these notecards make a great little stocking stuffer.

USB Sushi ($65-$249)
Confuse your coworkers.

Photoshop Tools T-shirt ($17)
We all use them… why not wear them?

Molded Cork Laptop Case ($95)
Cork Pouch ($10-15)
I saw someone at SXSW last year with this case and had to ask where to get one.

Designers Complete Index Box Set ($37.79)
Design books are a great gift, but this set is a little more fancy than your average manual. It comes in this slick little case with a handle.

Lomography Pop 9 Camera ($40)
This little camera is a great way to take a break from the perfection of digital and have some fun. It looks hot too.

Pantone “Pouchette” Hand Bag ($35.50)
Pantone Back Pack($60)
These clever bags from Pantone are stylish. I just wish they had more colors to choose from. The handbag is on my wish list (hint).

Brushed Aluminum Portfolio Book ($57.80)
I think these books are slick for showing work. Not too big, not too small and very stylish. I found it here at a great price.

“My clients call me Snoop ’cause my concepts are so high…”

Mad props to Kyle Webster for kick-ass online marketing and self promotion.

In the last few months (what many are referring to as) the DC “Tech” community has really ramped up. I first started seeing it after Barcamp and since then there has been the addition of lots of interesting events in the DC area and even the online formation of the DC Tech Community on Ning.

First off I want to say I hate calling this the “DC Tech Community”. While yes it is sort of “techy” I think it paints the picture of Urkel-esque socially inept nerds who sit around and code all day and then go home and have LAN parties. While there is nothing wrong with that (I do have a few friends that fit that bill.. and I love them to death) the people who show up to these events don’t all really fit that MO. I would prefer to call this community the “We Know our Way around the Web” kids. They are back-end developers, front-end developers, designers, marketers, lovers of social media, twitterers, and business owners. Most of them know there shit and some of them like to act like they do. Everyone shows up to meet new people and they all have one thing in common… they are hungry to learn.

Thats what has me so addicted to many of these events, I love to learn… and there are people willing to teach out there. Everyone has something to offer and these events provide a casual atmosphere to make those connections in.

I have a LOT of print designers ask me how I learned web design (html, CSS, IA, User Experience) and other than the tutorials on the web, a few books and sheer determination I have to give all the credit to my friends. I have friends who were willing to teach me (and thank god for their patience). A lot of times a great first step in learning something new is just meeting the biggest bad-ass out there doing what you want to learn and find out if they are willing to teach you.

So come on… get out there.. there is so much to learn! If you are interested in finding an event to take part in near you try upcoming.org. Some events to check out…

RefreshDC (local and National)
Refresh is a community of web designers, developers, and other new media professionals working together to refresh the creative, technical, and professional aspects of their trades in the Washington, DC, area.

Barcamp (All Over)
an ad-hoc gathering born from the desire for people to share and learn in an open environment. It is an intense event with discussions, demos, and interaction from participants

NextDC (local and NYC)
Our mission is to connect young people both socially and professionally who have a stake in future of tech and new media in Washington DC.

MashmeetDC (local and National)
A Gathering of those interested in the world of social media.

Web Standards Group (all over)
The Web Standards Group is for web designers & developers who are interested in web standards (HTML, XHTML, XML, CSS, XSLT etc.) and best practices (accessible sites using valid and semantically correct code).

Social Media Club (all Over)
is being organized for the purpose of sharing best practices, establishing ethics and standards, and for promoting media literacy. This is the beginning of a global conversation about building an organization and a community where the many diverse groups of people who care about social media can come together to discover, connect, share and learn.

Type Directors Club (all over, but mostly NYC)
Love Type? well so do these people.

Art Directors Club (local and Global)
People who love design.. you don’t have to be an “art director”

Did I miss any? Please feel free to add on!

Being designer can sometimes be tiring. I will never say it sucks or that its a crappy job because that is just not true. It is a privilege to be a designer and in my opinion it is the best job in the whole world, but just like any other creative occupation sometimes you feel a little burnt out. I don’t mean burnt out like Vanilla Ice burnt out or Danny Bonaduce burnt out, I mean sometimes you come home and think to yourself… “how the hell am I going to squeeze one more droplet of creativity out of this dried up sponge of a brain today?” Its not even the how, its the why. If you are ever feeling this way try and recount all the ways design makes you happy….