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NoDesign.dev – Tools and resources for non-artistic developers

nodesign.dev

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Re: NoDesign.dev – Tools and resources for non-artistic developers

#44

Post by 411111111111111 »

duxup wrote: post #42
mellosouls wrote: post #35

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Any reason they shouldn't be? Steve Jobs...

I don't think of Steve's skill set as 'designer' alone.

If we put numbers on his talents, I'd wager his marketing skills would be higher then his design ability.

They'd both be high though, that's for sure.

Re: NoDesign.dev – Tools and resources for non-artistic developers

#45

Post by brudgers »

eitland wrote: post #19
onion2k wrote: post #10

Alternatively, just work with a designer. There are thousands of them out there who want to build tech stuff but don't have the skills. They want developers to collaborate with. Reach out to some on social media and you might be surprised how receptive they are. You don't have to do everything on your own, and you definitely shouldn't compromise on design if you want your project to succeed.

Isn't this for people who cannot afford to have a graphic designer? Unless it is an open source project I feel it would be rude to ask someone to work for free on it.

Asking a designer to work on your open source project for free is like asking the local pizza parlor to feed your open source project for free. Unless your open source project is something that benefits designers it doesn't...well it doesn't benefit designers. The open source model is mostly developers building things that serve their own interests and the interests of other developers. On top of that developers tend to be paid better than designers and designers get lots of offers to work for free.

Re: NoDesign.dev – Tools and resources for non-artistic developers

#47

Post by brudgers »

cj wrote: post #22
eitland wrote: post #19

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Isn't this for people who cannot afford to have a graphic designer? Unless it is an open source project I feel it would be rude to ask someone to work for free on it.

> I feel it would be rude to ask someone to work for free Presumably you'd exchange % of future revenue / profit share, or an equity split if it's a company. Or if it's not a revenue-generating project, there might still be people who would help you out in order to build their portfolio.

Will you build a mobile app for me? It will build your portfolio.

Re: NoDesign.dev – Tools and resources for non-artistic developers

#49

Post by gdubs »

If I could give one piece of advice for technical developers it’s that design isn’t all about the way it looks, it’s about the way it works.

To expand on that, it’s how the pieces fit together within your set of constraints. There’s a LOT in common with what makes code beautiful or not. You get to the essential; nothing more, nothing less. This doesn’t mean “minimalist” , per se — just be wary of ornamentation that doesn’t add value.

A design can be award-winning without much “flash”. A readable font. A thoughtful, consistent, grid, that gives the content some air. Color choices based on accessibility, constrained to a palette that has some meaning for the project, etc.

Don’t be afraid to learn about design! Look to resources like IDEO, who take a principled approach to design that’s not superficial. Think about the field of Architecture, where engineering and aesthetics have been combined for centuries — and where the same concerns of “essential” vs “ornamental” remain an active area of debate to this day.

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