http://www.artificestudios.com/
I've been friends with Antonio for years, and can attest to the quality and professionalism he puts into his work.
Ask HN: Can someone refer me to a designer that doesn't suck?
21–30 of 75 posts
Re: Ask HN: Can someone refer me to a designer that doesn't suck?
#22Earlier quoted context omitted.
HIRED! (Well, that was easy. I wish I could up-vote this 100 times.)
If you don't mind sharing, which of the three designers mentioned did you hire and why?
(I realise I'm not Zarathu!)
I preferred the third one because their website was more usable -- all work was on one page and all I had to do was scroll down. Unlike the others where I had to click specific projects then view pictures 1, 2, 3, 4... real turn-off when I'm trying to easily compare all three together.
The third also looks like there has been a real effort and focus on usable websites without a disregard for looks which is essentially what I would be looking for.
Re: Ask HN: Can someone refer me to a designer that doesn't suck?
#23[deleted]
Re: Ask HN: Can someone refer me to a designer that doesn't suck?
#24There is a cool site, "CollabFinder" just for this purpose. http://collabfinder.com. Like all social sites, it will get better the more of us that use it :D
Re: Ask HN: Can someone refer me to a designer that doesn't suck?
#25You sound like a programmer that is "difficult." It also sounds like you're the type of programmer that doesn't treat designers with any respect, so they likely reciprocate -- the type that doesn't like to collaborate, but just boss people around (it's more than apparent from your post that you sneeringly look down upon the design profession). In short, you come across like a huge jerk and I can't imagine what it mus…
If it means anything, I've worked with the OP and he is a very kind, cooperative and fun person to work alongside. You come off just as judgmental as you're making him out to be.
Re: Ask HN: Can someone refer me to a designer that doesn't suck?
#26Hi Nick, a programmer I work with fwd'd your post to me, so I guess I'm not a jerk to work with. I do know what you mean. Some people just suck. I tend to love programmers I work with. I think they're magicians, but I think I am sometimes, too. I really enjoy the collaboration with programmers.
There are designers who focus on _design_ and don't realize that communication skills are the most vital design skill one can possess. It's important because if someone is agitated it is usually a result of misunderstanding, because it's work not personal, and true understanding is the only way to produce effective work. I find it very frustrating communicating with project managers and I'd like to get inside their heads so I could grasp why they won't allow things that will produce effective work. I'm sure it's something about my communication. This is something I hope to improve on. What are they thinking?!
I will drop you an email, even though you've found someone. You never know... :) Jen
Re: Ask HN: Can someone refer me to a designer that doesn't suck?
#27OpenBSD to store private data, and FreeBSD to scale; everything else is for failures
Considering that attitude of closeminded zealotism, you are probably the problem.
The title of this post screams 'most designers suck'. You seem like the kind of guy that gives others the feeling that he expect them to be mindreaders and that scorns those that don't grasp what he means fast enough. That doesn't work with most of the lesser gods, who are nonetheless still way above average. It makes them feel bad about themselves and about you.
I get the exact same impression as Chris_G: there is a communication problem that you can solve. According to kyro, you are wonderful to work with. Let me say this: I've got a colleague that I love to work with. I'll be indebted forever to him, for making me a much better software engineer than I would ever have been without someone like him to teach me. Nevertheless, he has a corrosive personality. It is only because I acknowledge his superiority and have come to understand that he doesn't mean it in a bad way, that I can get along with him. However, most people will not get to that conclusion, either because they have less much interaction with him or because he simply isn't superior to them in their field. With them, he doesn't communicate in a constructive fashion. If you criticise something, it doesn't matter whether you are right: it matters whether you can convince the other party; whether you can explain that you are right, without making them feel wrong.
Re: Ask HN: Can someone refer me to a designer that doesn't suck?
#28You sound like a programmer that is "difficult." It also sounds like you're the type of programmer that doesn't treat designers with any respect, so they likely reciprocate -- the type that doesn't like to collaborate, but just boss people around (it's more than apparent from your post that you sneeringly look down upon the design profession). In short, you come across like a huge jerk and I can't imagine what it mus…
[deleted]
Re: Ask HN: Can someone refer me to a designer that doesn't suck?
#29You sound like a programmer that is "difficult." It also sounds like you're the type of programmer that doesn't treat designers with any respect, so they likely reciprocate -- the type that doesn't like to collaborate, but just boss people around (it's more than apparent from your post that you sneeringly look down upon the design profession). In short, you come across like a huge jerk and I can't imagine what it mus…
If it means anything, I've worked with the OP and he is a very kind, cooperative and fun person to work alongside. You come off just as judgmental as you're making him out to be.
In fairness the opening line does scream "set in ways" to a degree that would put me off a little.
Not to be judgemental but I wonder if people that do work for Zarathu for the first time might have trouble communicating if this is his usual style. And as a result dont get chance to build a working relationship. It happens a lot.
I personally like direct people but plenty don't :D
Re: Ask HN: Can someone refer me to a designer that doesn't suck?
#30You sound like a programmer that is "difficult." It also sounds like you're the type of programmer that doesn't treat designers with any respect, so they likely reciprocate -- the type that doesn't like to collaborate, but just boss people around (it's more than apparent from your post that you sneeringly look down upon the design profession). In short, you come across like a huge jerk and I can't imagine what it mus…
No! I realize that I sounded like a bit of a dick in my post, but that's just how I write. Let me elaborate.
I've contracted a designer before (an HNer, mind you) that literally told me that he was working on the design for about 3 weeks, without showing me any form of progress whatsoever. On the last day we were working together, he said, "I've been busy, and I haven't had time to work on it. Find another designer." He had been jerking me around the entire time without doing an hour of the work, and later admit it.
This has happened on more than one occasion. He had a brilliant portfolio.
The ones that are difficult aren't difficult because they give me opinions; in fact, that's what helps to make a great designer. I like creative people that come up with their own ideas.