Every Designer can attest to hearing that, or something similar, from a client or even a Manager at some point of their career. I firmly believe that often times, Designers don’t get the credit we deserve, and that is making the intangible understandable. I recall some years ago, a sales rep giving his feedback on a project saying “Any kid in a basement can do what you guys do”… likening us to glorified color pickers.
What he failed to understand and what, unfortunately, many folks can’t grasp, is the science behind what we do. I came across this article on doshdosh.com, titled “11 Ways to Influence People Online and Make Them Take Action”. It speaks to the psychology behind web design; exploring the patterns of human behavior and thought.
Designers, in turn, leverage those patterns and marry them with fundamental design principles to not only create pieces that we’re most proud of, but from a business perspective, we use that formula to increase reach and awareness of marketing campaigns, foster new product development and create “Brand Fans” which makes companies profitable… a far cry from a kid in the basement.
