My epiphany for today: I am becoming my own worst enemy.
Okay, not really. Let me explain — when I was working at the (now bankrupt) dot-com, I was a web developer. This means doing a lot of scripting, coding and database work. Since this means we did a lot of work for other companies to create their websites, it meant dealing with a lot of in-house graphic artists and designers. Now, don’t get me wrong — the coders and the artists got along amazingly well, and I have a high respect for all the designers that previously worked there. But still, there was still a little bit of a rivalry. After all, we were the nerdy code-jockeys, and, well, designers are designers.
kc!: Dude, I need you to redo this page. The text should be two pixels to the left and the color is too light.
Ernie: If I make the text two pixels to the left, that messes up the table structure. I’d have to do the page all over again, and the page will take twice as long to load. Also, the color you gave me isn’t websafe.
kc!: Ugh. You guys have no appreciation for anything aesthetically pleasing.
Ernie: Dude, you spell your name with an exclamation point.
(Footnote: for the record, I think kc! is an awesome guy and a kick-ass designer. We just make fun of each other. A lot.)
Where was I? Oh yeah, coders versus designers. Anyway, at my current job I was hired as a programmer, again. But when you’re the new guy working with eight very, very talented programmers, you have to find your niche. And you have to find your niche quickly, otherwise you’re seen as expendable. (That’s my mindset, anyway.) So what’s my niche, in this group of technical folks? User interface and Usability Design.
User interface design, of course, is basically graphic design without any artistic ability whatsoever. And to be a good UI designer, a lot of it comes from convincing people that you know what the fuck you’re doing.
Senior Programmer: Hey Ernie, I’ve designed a prototype. Can you tell me what you think of it?
Ernie: (Looking at mock-ups) Are you making an internal sales web application or a rave flier?
Senior Programmer: A sales application.
Ernie: Okay. I would lose the goldenrod on purple text, then.
Senior Programmer: But I like the way it l—
Ernie: Oh yeah… and that image of the letter that folds and mails itself? Never a good idea.
Senior Programmer: Okay.
Sometimes, I wonder what they think of me here.
Guy #1: <Hindi>The new guy isn’t the strongest programmer, but boy, does he make some nice user interface screens. </Hindi>
Guy #2: <Hindi>You know how those homosexuals are. </Hindi>
As I said: own worst enemy.