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Bootstrapping Design

bootstrappingdesign.com

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Re: Bootstrapping Design

#21

Post by studiofellow »

bobbywilson0 wrote: post #17

The hardest thing to develop as a designer is good taste. This book may provide some quick tips to make a typical developer made design less bad, and maybe that's the goal, but good taste takes time. As developers what would you think of a designer picking up a book that says "Bootstrapping Development"? Would you think that your designer buddy could read through this book in a weekend and not need a developer for hi…

You make a fair point, but don't we often see threads that designers should learn to code, if only to be better designers? How is the inverse not true?

I'd never say someone new to design could get results equal to those from a professional designer from day 1. Of course not.

Many bootstrappers don't have the option of working with a designer, but they can still do well enough on their own. At least while their businesses grow and until they can hire someone.

Re: Bootstrapping Design

#22

Post by thaumaturgy »

studiofellow wrote: post #16
Vindexus wrote: post #15

Earlier quoted context omitted.

As a developer I often struggle with the following things: Picking a color scheme. What colors work well together? Why do they work well together? How do I find good color schemes? Is there a formula or something? White space. How much should I have? I normally just operate in increments of 5px until I think something looks good. "Looks good" ends up being smaller than other sites when I actually compare though. Font…

Thanks so much for the list. I'll make sure it's covered.

Also: I am a colorblind engineer. How can I pick color schemes that don't make infants cry and write copy that isn't a legendary cure for insomnia?

Re: Bootstrapping Design

#23

Post by tapp »

My experience is primarily back-end development, so I'm a complete UI design dummy. I have a stupid question that I always mean to look into "when I have time" - - given topic, perhaps someone on this thread can answer.

Why does the font in the input box on the bootstrappingdesign lander look so screwy and hard to read, relative to the rest of the page? (I'm running Chrome on a vanilla Windows 7 box.)

http://i.imgur.com/TgQjV.gif

Re: Bootstrapping Design

#24

Post by studiofellow »

tapp wrote: post #23

My experience is primarily back-end development, so I'm a complete UI design dummy. I have a stupid question that I always mean to look into "when I have time" - - given topic, perhaps someone on this thread can answer. Why does the font in the input box on the bootstrappingdesign lander look so screwy and hard to read, relative to the rest of the page? (I'm running Chrome on a vanilla Windows 7 box.) http://i.imgur.…

This is an issue with how Windows renders fonts. I believe Windows 7 has a ClearType tuner that could help you. (@font-face via Typekit can exacerbate this too compared with locally installed fonts.)

I'll look into a fallback font for that input box. Sorry it's hard to read.

Re: Bootstrapping Design

#26

Post by louhong »

thaumaturgy wrote: post #22
studiofellow wrote: post #16

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Thanks so much for the list. I'll make sure it's covered.

Also: I am a colorblind engineer. How can I pick color schemes that don't make infants cry and write copy that isn't a legendary cure for insomnia?

Have you tried using Adobe Kuler? kuler.adobe.com/ They have a great collection of color pallets that you could use. Start off with a common base and go from there and then test away and get feedback.

Re: Bootstrapping Design

#27

Post by fistofjohnwayne »

tapp wrote: post #23

My experience is primarily back-end development, so I'm a complete UI design dummy. I have a stupid question that I always mean to look into "when I have time" - - given topic, perhaps someone on this thread can answer. Why does the font in the input box on the bootstrappingdesign lander look so screwy and hard to read, relative to the rest of the page? (I'm running Chrome on a vanilla Windows 7 box.) http://i.imgur.…

As mentioned it is a problem Windows has rendering fonts. More accurately, it is a problem all non-IE Windows browsers have rendering fonts. Open the site in IE9 and you'll be able to enjoy it as intended.

I would also advise you not to fiddle with the ClearType tuner, in my experience it will not help you with this problem.

Re: Bootstrapping Design

#28

Post by [deleted] »

studiofellow wrote: post #21
bobbywilson0 wrote: post #17

The hardest thing to develop as a designer is good taste. This book may provide some quick tips to make a typical developer made design less bad, and maybe that's the goal, but good taste takes time. As developers what would you think of a designer picking up a book that says "Bootstrapping Development"? Would you think that your designer buddy could read through this book in a weekend and not need a developer for hi…

You make a fair point, but don't we often see threads that designers should learn to code, if only to be better designers? How is the inverse not true? I'd never say someone new to design could get results equal to those from a professional designer from day 1. Of course not. Many bootstrappers don't have the option of working with a designer, but they can still do well enough on their own. At least while their busin…

[deleted]

Re: Bootstrapping Design

#29

Post by goldensaucer »

I'm a designer learning to code, and I'm all for devs learning design principles—I just wish that all these design guides for programmers wouldn't offer themselves as a replacement for an actual designer, or downplay the value of a designer.

Re: Bootstrapping Design

#30

Post by bobbywilson0 »

studiofellow wrote: post #21
bobbywilson0 wrote: post #17

The hardest thing to develop as a designer is good taste. This book may provide some quick tips to make a typical developer made design less bad, and maybe that's the goal, but good taste takes time. As developers what would you think of a designer picking up a book that says "Bootstrapping Development"? Would you think that your designer buddy could read through this book in a weekend and not need a developer for hi…

You make a fair point, but don't we often see threads that designers should learn to code, if only to be better designers? How is the inverse not true? I'd never say someone new to design could get results equal to those from a professional designer from day 1. Of course not. Many bootstrappers don't have the option of working with a designer, but they can still do well enough on their own. At least while their busin…

You're right about being able to improve your development skills by learning some design. I was a designer first, and I feel like I channel my inner designer a lot coding every day.

I do think this book will be a great tool, and many people will find value in it. I played out in my head biz guy gives developer your book, and saying "We don't need a designer I got you this!" Which you have corrected me on.

Your last statement is spot on, I was a bit off in my original comment.

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