Re: Who are you folks--reality check?

>>  However, professional webdesign should be left to the
>> professionals--those with an understanding of design concepts and art
>> principals. I'm not taking art electives in high school for my health--I
>> want to understand what I'm doing and appreciate what the other "pros" do
>
>So you are saying that those of us who "have been around a few years" and
have not
>had the benefit of formal art studies should stay out of the web design
business
>so that you who have had the opportunity to study formal art won't have
too much
>competition, right?

Lemme clarify--I think maybe I was a bit too harsh (and unclear).

Formal art education does not at all indicate anyone's design capabilities
or how much of an artist they are or have the potential to be. My statement
was not to say that those who have had no formal training should not be
allowed to try their hand at webdesign (if that was the case, I'd be
excluding myself!)--rather one should try to understand the principles
behind good looking design and how things such as color affect the viewer
before they try to market themselves as professional webdesigners. 

This medium has allowed anyone with Notepad and MSPaint (or some such
tools) to create a website. And that's great! Using technology is
absolutely fine. If a ten-year old wants to make a website about his
antfarm for instance, I have no problem with that--everyone should start
somewhere! What I don't think should come of this Antfarm page is a
business run by some 10-year old looking for a modern lemonade-stand sort
of occupation simply because he can. In a few years, if he spends his time
looking at what's around him and learns from what he sees others doing,
then I would not be at all upset at him attempting to start his own
enterprise--that's what capitalism is about, isn't it?

Sorry if failed to come off clearly--English term papers can make your head
swim at times... 


Chris Messina
Webmaster -|- Sandstorm Publishing
http://www.sandstormpublishing.com
http://www.sandstormpublishing.com/thecloset

HWG: hwg-graphics mailing list archives, maintained by Webmasters @ IWA