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Why Aren't More Designers Starting Companies?

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Re: Why Aren't More Designers Starting Companies?

#21

Post by melvinmt »

rwhitman wrote: post #15
rwhitman wrote: post #11

This was a good attempt, but I don't think this really nailed why designers don't move into founder roles. It has a lot more to do with the psychology of the type of person that goes into being a designer in the first place. It has a lot to do with the nature of art and the fear of failure. The best designers are often frustrated artists that found comfort in design, where (perhaps subconsciously) they could use thei…

Edit: Downvotes? Really? I write a thoughtful introspective comment based on my personal experience of being a design-trained single founder and you give me downvotes? Ugh

I didn't downvote your original post but complaining about downvotes = a downvote. Ugh. Get over it.

Re: Why Aren't More Designers Starting Companies?

#22

Post by rndmize »

I think this is mostly bull, frankly. No matter how easy things get, most startups are meant to solve some kind of problem and they employ technical means to do so. You're never going to get rid of the need for a technical guy, no matter how things change.

The second most useful person is probably going to be a hustler/salesman/guy who knows people, who can get the product attention, or investment, or customers, or all three.

The designer comes in a pretty far third. Good design just isn't critical at early stages for most. And if you really want it, it can probably be contracted, in a way the first two roles never can. Finally, if talking to investors, guy #1 can show you a product or demo; guy #2 can show traction or social proof; what can the designer show?

Re: Why Aren't More Designers Starting Companies?

#23

Post by mjolk »

colmvp wrote: post #7
mjolk wrote: post #5

Because it's really hard to pitch a company based on a PSD that you can't implement. But sure, whatever cutesy anecdote or impression of reality you want to sell me will also suffice.

And the derisive contempt against designers on HN continues.

Designers are fine, but don't tell me that a render is nearly as useful as a prototype.

Please though, if you disagree with me, open a dialogue. As an technology investor, who would you rather fund?

Re: Why Aren't More Designers Starting Companies?

#24

Post by beachstartup »

mjolk wrote: post #5

Because it's really hard to pitch a company based on a PSD that you can't implement. But sure, whatever cutesy anecdote or impression of reality you want to sell me will also suffice.

i don't think those are the kind of designers they're talking about, for the most part.

Re: Why Aren't More Designers Starting Companies?

#25

Post by munaf »

Designer and ex-founder weighing in. One thing I felt was that we had conflicting advice and incentives.

On one hand, incubator advisors, investors, and startup writers would say:

(1) "You should read pg's essays. You have to spend more time finding a market fit. Study your users. Make that your priority."

Frequently, from the same crowd, we'd also something along the lines of:

(2) "Make decisions faster. Ship it. Execution."

My design training was well-suited to (1), and completely undermined in (2). The problem was that we heard (2) a lot more because the main people we were talking to were investors and incubator staff, and their overriding priority was having a functional product with paying customers.

Of course design processes can move faster and balance planning with execution at a startup pace. But that doesn't happen much. The more common scenario is for a designer to be shown a working prototype and then make it prettier / more usable. And maybe that's the most reliable way for startups to get off the ground? I have no idea.

Re: Why Aren't More Designers Starting Companies?

#26

Post by ulisesrmzroche »

rwhitman wrote: post #20
ulisesrmzroche wrote: post #18

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You're projecting hardcore dude. 'The best designers are often frustrated artists that found comfort in design, where (perhaps subconsciously) they could use their talent without having the success or failure of their work fall 100% on them." Yeah right. Are you sure you went to design school? Is that what they taught you? That it's where all the failed artists go? Sometimes, I hate you a lot HN.

Assuming that I made these observations by learning it in art school is "projecting hardcore" as well. The observations I make are based on an inner circle of friends and business associates I've had over the last 13 years who are predominantly made up of brilliant graphic designers. Not that it puts me in a position of absolute authority on the subject, but I think thats a fair rebuttal.

Honestly, you're armchair psychology-ing from your Cabal of Elite Designers, Lords of Silicon Valley, which is the WORST part of HN - apart from the subconscious need to upvote walls of text they haven't read, because well, whatever, it's long it must be smarter!)

Your argument has absolutely no weight, and it offended me. "Yeah, the thing about designers is that they're failed artists and they're so neurotic. Always worried about what people think so they can't be good founders. That's for people like ME."

Pffft. Whatever. Thanks for ruining my morning again HN.

Re: Why Aren't More Designers Starting Companies?

#27

Post by rwhitman »

melvinmt wrote: post #21
rwhitman wrote: post #15

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Edit: Downvotes? Really? I write a thoughtful introspective comment based on my personal experience of being a design-trained single founder and you give me downvotes? Ugh

I didn't downvote your original post but complaining about downvotes = a downvote. Ugh. Get over it.

Well to be fair I was in negative territory when I posted that

Re: Why Aren't More Designers Starting Companies?

#29

Post by talmand »

rwhitman wrote: post #20
ulisesrmzroche wrote: post #18

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You're projecting hardcore dude. 'The best designers are often frustrated artists that found comfort in design, where (perhaps subconsciously) they could use their talent without having the success or failure of their work fall 100% on them." Yeah right. Are you sure you went to design school? Is that what they taught you? That it's where all the failed artists go? Sometimes, I hate you a lot HN.

Assuming that I made these observations by learning it in art school is "projecting hardcore" as well. The observations I make are based on an inner circle of friends and business associates I've had over the last 13 years who are predominantly made up of brilliant graphic designers. Not that it puts me in a position of absolute authority on the subject, but I think thats a fair rebuttal.

I have a degree in design, I didn't learn such things in school. I've worked numerous jobs in design-related positions for around twenty years now. I've worked with countless people (I won't go so far to say they're "brilliant" because that's a hugely subjective thing) in similar positions or involved in my projects. I, nor anyone I've ever worked with, have had the attitude you are expressing when it comes to design.

You are seriously projecting, the world is bigger than your circle of friends.

Re: Why Aren't More Designers Starting Companies?

#30

Post by dictum »

rndmize wrote: post #22

I think this is mostly bull, frankly. No matter how easy things get, most startups are meant to solve some kind of problem and they employ technical means to do so. You're never going to get rid of the need for a technical guy, no matter how things change. The second most useful person is probably going to be a hustler/salesman/guy who knows people, who can get the product attention, or investment, or customers, or a…

>And if you really want it, it can probably be contracted, in a way the first two roles never can.

HN (rightly) bashes "idea guys", but there is really only one thing in a startup that cannot be contracted: what the startup is trying to do or achieve.

Design for a startup can be contracted in the same way software engineering can be contracted. That is to say: you will get reasonably good results if you find a good contractor who is a good fit for the project, but it will not be the same as having an employee fully dedicated to create a great product, analyze the market's reaction to the product as it is developed and marketed and adjust the design/the technology to the market's needs and expectations.

If you can contract a designer (and not hire one), you can contract a developer too. Results will be mixed.

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