Design test
Alex (182 points) | Thu, 2009-11-05 10:32
Andy Rutledge (who's site is well worth putting some time aside to read) has put together a great design test.
Working through the questions not only makes you realise what you are capable of as a designer (and where further study is required) - it also certainly made me better able to clarify what it is that I actually bring to a project and to explain that to others.
Definitely recommended reading.
Fantastic post! it was quite informative to go through, although I really had to use my noggin for some of them.
Leaky Penny
www.leakypenny.com
When I leave, close together like butt cheeks.
-Grits N' Gravy
Andy wrote an excellent series of articles on his Web site concerning the "Gestalt Principles of Design."
Highly recommended reading. Even veteran designers will learn a thing or two.
Craig Michael Patrick
http://cmpatrick.com
Good site!
http://fakesteveballmer.blogspot.com
I am not Steve Ballmer pretending not to be me!
I flunked.
Thanks for sharing =) With some questions I was like "wow why so easy?" but with others I was like "ehm, a million ways to do that..." or "ehm, not sure how to formulate that" or "not sure what he means". But it got my brain working so was worth bothering ;-)
I found it pretty easy, enjoyable actually. He makes some great points in the article, but I thought this was a bit harsh:
"It is my sincere hope that upon recognizing clear evidence of design incompetence, these individuals might stop stealing money from clients and embark upon a design education to acquire the requisite understanding necessary for the profession they now only pretend to pursue."
Attitudes like this are what gives designers the reputation of being self-important snobs. You don't need to put others down to make your point. If the companies who are paying these "pretenders" are too stupid to know that they're paying for bad work, but they're happy with the result, I don't think it's fair to fault the creative for cashing the check.
Feel free to laugh behind their back though -- or in their faces, if you're so inclined.
Yes you're very right. While most users here (and other sites) are really friendly and give you usefull feedback, some others are just posting useless comments to bring you down. I think some people are forgetting that we're not all Senior Designers with 10 year working experiance, and whilst school can teach you a lot, it cannot teach you everything and you have to start somewhere doing work that's not a 100%. But you have to, in order to learn (that's my vision anyway), so yes these statements do not work.
I think that's great. Exactly as stated after the test. It's important for clients to know what skill level they are paying for. There are far too many 'pretenders' (read rogue traders) out there who just have the right software and know how to use it. This does not make you a designer. I have a nice electrician's screwdriver but I wouldn't go and charge someone to re-wire their house (no pun intended).
I've served my time and put a lot of effort into my education and I'm not ashamed to admit that it p*ss*s me off when I see un-skilled Joes labeling and selling themselves as designers ripping people off. A great resource.
Steve
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Graphic Designer and Founder of fu•gu
http://www.fuguagency.co.uk