I am a great programmer, but have the worst design skills. Is an eye for design something that you are born with, or is it something that you can learn and develop?

You think you're great programmer. One big mistake. I programmed a lot of programs and scripts and I don't think I am great programmer. If you will think this, you can't be good in any area, because you won't be able to move forward.

But the question, yes, it's possible. I'm mainly programmer and my start with graphics was cca before year. My first designes was, of course terrible. But I started study the graphic theory (only a little bit) and I was looking for inspiration. (Great sites: behance, dribbble and deviantart) The effect came. Now I can tell, I can make webdesign and code it and i can make logo/visual identity and more. And it isn't terrible.

Everything can be learned. Someone, who met with that since childhood, it has easier, who not, it has harder. I say, the art can be learned. You must only want.

I am a great programmer, but have the worst design skills. Is an eye for design something that you are born with, or is it something that you can learn and develop?

 

Both, but natural talent with nurture will always outweigh the merits and strengths of learning.

 

This is true of most things; Natural capacity > academia.

Sorry that's a bit of a rushed Monday AM post, what I mean to say is that two people can start on a equal footing but the one more gifted in a chosen discipline will always have the advantage unless the other works much harder, practises and gains experience at an accelerated rate. The reality is though, the natural person can easily catch up by applying the same tactic and often to a lesser degree.

 

But then I would say that, I don't exactly 'believe' in the education system or academic pursuits. Intelligent and/or gifted people have the luxury of bypassing schooling and applying their traits to their business world and often become more successful than those that 'qualified' themselves before attempting the same path.

Edited August 13, 201213 yr by MMMedia

I am a great programmer, but have the worst design skills. Is an eye for design something that you are born with, or is it something that you can learn and develop?

 

Some people are born with it and some people learn it.

 

If you really want to learn it then start at the ground up with some basic colour theory and then move on.

The process of designing sites over and over again wont do you any good unless you know the reasons behind why you do certain things on a site to make it stand out from the crowd.

 

Pick up a copy of the book "The principles of beautiful web design", this'll get you started.

But then I would say that, I don't exactly 'believe' in the education system or academic pursuits. Intelligent and/or gifted people have the luxury of bypassing schooling and applying their traits to their business world and often become more successful than those that 'qualified' themselves before attempting the same path.

 

Totally agree, i would rather employ someone who has learned it themselves than a fully qualified person who has been at uni for years. At least the person who is naturally gifted will not need teaching and can do things on their own without any help.

Experience > Degree (in this field).

Like Mike said, good design does have some set rules.

 

To fit in with Mikes post about basic colour theory this link has some nice infographics on the subject - blog.kissmetrics.com/infographics/

 

Actually it has a lot of nice other stuff which I actually use as a reference when looking at UX Design.

Both, but natural talent with nurture will always outweigh the merits and strengths of learning.

 

This is true of most things; Natural capacity > academia.

Don't agree with this. Of course, having a natural ability can help, but it can also hinder. Sometimes those to whom it comes naturally get lazy and do work that's average at best.

 

If you want to learn, then learn - don't worry about what else you're good at or not good at. If you put in the hours and effort, anyone can learn design.

Well it's my experience of life and working with hundreds of people over fifteen years, hiring, firing and sometimes even admiring.

Don't agree with this. Of course, having a natural ability can help, but it can also hinder. Sometimes those to whom it comes naturally get lazy and do work that's average at best.

 

If you want to learn, then learn - don't worry about what else you're good at or not good at. If you put in the hours and effort, anyone can learn design.

 

100% agree, being naturally talented can lead to gaps in knowledge where as people who work for it learn everything.

 

You really have to break it down into 2 categories of design;

 

Functional design - is achieved by learning the best methods and just practising until you get it down anyone can learn this even with no natural talent.

Creative design - this on the other hand is a bit trickier and where having natural talent really becomes and advantage. It can still be learnt though it just takes a lot longer.

There are parts of being a designer that can come naturally. Flair, creativity, passion, etc. They tend, however, to be traits of personality more than anything else (though of course personality is half of the job).

 

There are parts you will need to learn. Technical skills, processes, trends, research. Those aren't things you acquire by magic. You're not going to know what a QFD is if you've never learned it.

 

How you go about that learning process (degree, self-taught) is irrelevant.

 

Edit. It's too early in the morning for me to be posting.

Edited August 14, 201213 yr by brightonmike

passion, etc.

This word must never again be used in association with web design. Consider this your first and final warning. Passion is for chicks - or gentlemen if you're that way inclined.