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.
7 Responses
TJ
July 28th, 2007 at 8:52 pm
1so much for getting a response haha oh well… I know your all thinking about it deeply.
J Phill
July 30th, 2007 at 10:05 am
2I think I understand where you are coming from. Are these coworkers familiar with web standards and such? I guess I’m trying to understand why they don’t care much about their markup.
I’ve worked with someone in the past who had decent markup, but didn’t care to learn new stuff because it was stuck in his ways. It was frustrating to work with, and there wasn’t much I could do about it.
My suggestion to you, would be to possibly organize code reviews for projects. In other words, if your team would take some time out to go over how a site was coded. That could be your chance to speak up and question their skills and make them answer questions.
TJ Mapes
July 30th, 2007 at 12:06 pm
3Hey J,
Yeah, we actually have written standards that frown on tables for non-tabular data etc etc.. And obviously “br” tags. I honestly believe at least in this particular shop, it’s more an age and a “i’m not going to learn anything new” kinda thing.
Similar to what your speaking of.
Thanks for your comment. I was basically just wondering if anyone has had similar situations and what the end result was.
Thanks again J.
J Phill
July 30th, 2007 at 12:35 pm
4Yeah that is not a good thing, that just because of age they don’t think they will/want to learn anything new. Anyone working on the web these days should always be willing to learn because of how fast things move.
TJ Mapes
July 30th, 2007 at 2:28 pm
5I agree 100%. That should be why you want to work on the web cause it changes so fast.
Andrew
August 10th, 2007 at 10:49 am
6Great article. Couldn’t agree more. Our developers are under such tight deadlines that sacrifice standards and accessibility practices way to often. The worst part is that it ends up creating more work down the road when you realize 90% of your application or project doesn’t display in Safari or other similar crippling issues as a result of bad markup.
TJ
August 17th, 2007 at 5:00 pm
7Andrew - I hear ya man. 100%. I know it takes more time for me to go back later and try and restyle things. Its a tough catch 22 to be caught in.
I really love your site BTW. I submitted a couple myself. How did you find this blog? Thanks again for the comment!
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