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Ask HN: Can someone refer me to a designer that doesn't suck?

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Re: Ask HN: Can someone refer me to a designer that doesn't suck?

#61
post #55
post #48

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Might it be pointed out, I never said he "sucked." He titled his post by stating that Designers "suck." Then he had a rant about why he thought Designers "suck." Then made a request for Designers to contact him if they want to work with him. All I did was quote from his own post, and point out how it came across. Apparently a lot of other people agreed.

Might it be pointed out, I never said he "sucked." I was paraphrasing. I believe it was a fair enough summary of your point. To make sure we're on the same page, I'm mostly looking at this part: Let me see, according to you, designers that are "great to work with" (the ones that just shut-up and do whatever you tell them) produce "eye pollution". The ones that are "difficult" (have opinions and give input whether you…

I think pointing out where to fix the problem the OP is venting about is about the most valuable discussion that can happen.

it doesnt need to be a verifiable fact, it never is, the original post came off to at least me and chris (and possibly 41 others) as condescending and part of a common problem developers have while communicating with designers.

it may be wrong, but it certainly doesnt detract from the discussion, this branch however, does.

Re: Ask HN: Can someone refer me to a designer that doesn't suck?

#62
Zarathu I just want to let you know I agree with your post 100%. I am the owner of a web development and internet marketing company, and I have had the exact same experiences.

I believe it is because the great designers don't approach their work as a job, but as art. Once that is their mindset, it is nearly impossible to offer any criticism. By labelling themselves an 'artist', they make themselves immune to any commentary, and in fact any criticism you offer just feeds their deluded view of themselves as a persecuted genius.

Re: Ask HN: Can someone refer me to a designer that doesn't suck?

#63
I work with two designers currently, both are great guys and do quality work. The first is Brandon Silverstein, who is also a developer and owner of Impulse Development (the company I work for). Most of the designs at http://impulsedevelopment.com are his work. The other is Armando Alvarez with Viva Creative Group (http://vivacreativegroup.com). Mando did the designs that are not Brandon's work that appear on the Impulse site. Impulse shares an office with Viva Creative Group, so I've gotten to know Mando fairly well.

I'm not sure what Brandon charges for just designs, but basic websites generally start at $3k. I believe Mando is typically more expensive, but he also has more experience with branding and advertising, if that's what you need.

Re: Ask HN: Can someone refer me to a designer that doesn't suck?

#64
post #43

OpenBSD 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…

In other words, if you come on HN spouting bullshit about what OS you host on while asking for help finding a designer, you're probably doing it wrong.

I would not narrow it down to HN... This is not a localized problem.

Re: Ask HN: Can someone refer me to a designer that doesn't suck?

#68
post #30
post #18

You 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."…

I realize that I sounded like a bit of a dick in my post, but that's just how I write.

Then stop communicating like that. Do you also say that to those you work with, when called out on something: "I realize that I sounded like a bit of a dick in the meeting, but that's just how I communicate."? Nine out of ten times, you won't be called out and people will just think you are a dick. If you are already aware you sound like a dick, why on earth should others not think that you are in fact a dick? It's easy to give people bad impression, it's easy to lose respect and it's hard to gain it and fix that impression. Just don't give them a reason to think you're a dick in the first place.

Re: Ask HN: Can someone refer me to a designer that doesn't suck?

#69
post #40

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Draw a triangle. On each corner, write: > Quality Work > Timely Delivery > Economical Price You're ONLY ever allowed to choose TWO. > If you want quality work produced in a timely fashion, then expect to pay top-dollar. > If you want work turned around fast and don't have any money to spend, expect the quality to be crap. > If you want quality work and don't have a big budget, expect it to be attended to whenever the…

I had the same kind of experiences as the OP. Part of what I found frustrating is that they don't respect the "2 out of 3" rule (which is mostly for engineers btw). What the designer in OP's case showed was an astounding lack of respect and common sense. I doubt compensation was a factor. Some time ago I tried to find a copywriter to help me with a marketing campain. I talked with two people, and both were very inter…

Your copywriters gave you a strong signal as to their professionalism when they did not want to discuss compensation up front. In the future, you should now know that anyone who does not discuss the business contract before rendering any services is either: 1) very inexperienced but may still work out or 2) not someone you'd ever want to work with.

Re: Ask HN: Can someone refer me to a designer that doesn't suck?

#70
post #34
post #25

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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.

Ah.. That may be true, but all we have to go on are little letters in cyberspace. It's good to know he's different in real life, though.

For now we may only have little letters. But soon as it is adopted, HumanMarkup will revolutionize online communication: http://www.oasis-open.org/committees/tc_home.php?wg_abbrev=h...
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