When is enough, enough?

As a web designer I’m faced with new hurdles and learning curves daily whether it’s trying to become the next Eric Meyers, or for this installments sake, something as simple as learning my way around a .NET page so I can go style certain elements after it has been handed off to a programmer.

I could have once told myself without thinking twice that I was a strong advocate of web standards. I still code everything in xthml/css and follow best practices etc etc. But one thing I have noticed now after working around certain ’seasoned’ web developers is that many haven’t ever considered themselves once advocates of web standards EVER. Their main method for getting things done is basically how fast (sloppy code is acceptable and yes that means “br” extravaganzas) they can do it.

Granted somethings fall by the wayside due to budget and hours, but simple things like inline styles and “br” tags etc shouldn’t ever be overlooked due to budget or timeline, they should be excluded as part of best practices.

Yes it’s time to quote some Derek Zoolander:

“Do you understand that the world does not revolve around you and your do whatever it takes, ruin as many people’s lives, so long as you can make a name for yourself as an investigatory journalist, no matter how many friends you lose or people you leave dead and bloodied along the way, just so long so you can make a name for yourself as an investigatory journalist, no matter how many friends you lose or people you leave dead and bloodied and dying along the way?”

Now note, this quote seems a little harsh and over exaggerated. I’m aware of that. And I’m not trying to come down on every programmer or web developer in the world so if you are starting to feel offended, continue reading cause I’m only looking for some answers, you’ll see cause I hope some of you have had similar concerns.

But this quote represents what I feel goes through some of the peoples’ heads I work with sometimes when they are coding a site I designed. And the truth of it all is I believe it comes from higher up than they or I. It always starts at the top and if they don’t care enough to crack down a little, then why should anyone else right? And eventually you almost just become desensitized by it all.

Back to my earlier statement; “I could have once told myself without thinking twice that I was a strong advocate of web standards.” The reason why I can’t say the same for where I am right now is because I’m finding myself skipping over the random “br” tags and inline styles mostly because I’m tired of cleaning up after people.

Does this make me a bad web designer? Am I at fault here? Does this mean I may be working at the wrong shop? Or are all design shops basically like this? Is there a link between the lack of caring and age?

I wanted this to be more of an open-ended post where I’ll hopefully get some feedback from Designers and Programmers alike, so if you are reading this in your RSS reader and have made it this far, click through and comment because I really want to know how you others feel.

If you are in a similar position or once have been let me know. If you think I’m completely wrong let me know.

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