Comment by randomdata | Hacker News Reader

Comment by randomdata | Hacker News Reader

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Now back-end vs. web design is a chasm too wide to cross, realistically.

Why is that?

I have worked professionally as both a designer and developer, and find many parallels between two. In my opinion, my very best programming work has been code built from my interface designs. The design process allows me to have an intimate understanding of the application flow before I write a single line of code. I find working from the designs of others never allows that same level of understanding, leading to a codebase that takes longer to make great (which, in business speak: longer = more expensive).

Thinking back, I started on my path to designer at around the age of five, and started learning to program around the age of ten, so I have a lot of experience in both fields. Perhaps someone who doesn't start until college simply doesn't have enough time to become proficient in both?

I think time plays a large part, yes. I also think it is a left-right brain divide between maths and creativity.

I think people want to be good at what they do. The best designers can either "waste time" on becoming novice programmers, or they can perfect their core craft. If they spread too thin, they might soon stop becoming the best.

I guess it also depends on the role you play in a company or start-up. If you can help out other teams and communicate, that is very useful for a start-up or small business, but not something I think is appreciated in some larger companies: You get judged and hired on one core role and are expected to do that very well. If a big company needs design, they likely hire a full-time designer, not ask that DBA with a keen eye.

I am sure there are a few hack-of-all-trades that mastered full webstack programming, data analysis, community management, marketing, SEO, usability, copy-writing, design etc.. But I also feel it is unrealistic to expect one to be able to switch to the other, regardless of their individual talents and expertise.

I also think it is a left-right brain divide between maths and creativity.

I remain skeptical of that. Perhaps my brain is just mis-wired, but I find that there is no real divide. What I do find sometimes is that my ability on each side comes and go in waves. That turns out to be the perfect fit for software development: When I struggle with logic problems, I can jump and work on the design problems and vice verse. That way I can stay at peak performance all the time.

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