There are a lot of bad Web designers out there.
Of course, that’s nothing against Web designers – there’s also a lot of atrocious Web copy out there, too. The difference is that everyone thinks they can write well, while most everyone believes they can’t draw. Moreover, the popular perception of good writing centers on clarity, whereas the popular perception of designcenters on creativity. All of which means bad design gets unleashed on the world, and goes un-optimized, more often than bad web copy.
Having dropped that turd in the punchbowl, let me admit that I’m no designer myself, with any knowledge I do have coming from self education.
Yet precisely because I am not a designer, I’ve always aimed my self-education at developing a knowledge of design fundamentals rather than of design tools. And this has left me continually scratching my head when I consistently see those fundamental design principles violated by Web designers.
Sometimes I wondered if it was just me and my own deeply-ingrained Conversion-centric view of Web design, pounded into me by Bryan and Jeffrey Eisenberg. But as it turns out, it ain’t just me…
- This Smashing Magazine post shows at least a few designers who feel similarly
- And Tim Ash’s recent ClickZ article re-confirms my long-held bias towards clear over “snazzy” design
Why does this matter to a copywriter?
Because your Web copy’s effectiveness will be dramatically affected by page design.
So what do I recommend if you’re a copywriter who is forced to work with a mediocre designer? Educate yourself, learn to speak design, and force designers/clients to test disputed design decisions.
Here are 14 Starter Resources to Begin Your Design Education:
- This Andy Rutledge article on Contrast and Meaning
- Jakob Nielsen’s Website
- Mark Kennedy’s Temple of the Seven Golden Camels blog – tons of great stuff here
- This Free Design and Layout Tutorial by the Poynter Institute
- Bryan Eisenberg’s post on Revenge of the Pixels: The Battle for Screen Real Estate
- Anne Holland’s A/B Testing Site, WhichTestWon.com – getting a feel for what design elemts out-pull others is crucial!
- ABTests.com – more A/B split tests
- Don’t Make Me Think by Steve Krug
- Save the Pixel by Ben Hunt
- Type & Layout by Colin Whieldon
- Universal Principles of Design by William Lidwell, et al.
- Picture This: How Pictures Work, by Molly Bang
- Before & After Magazine
- Always Be Testing by Bryan Eisenberg and John Quarto VonTivadar
When you can articulate your objections to bad design more eloquently and professionally than the designer can advocate for his design, you’ll have a huge leg up. And when that fails, you can always demand a split test between the simpler, cleaner design and whatever creative layout your designer has come up with.
So what about you? What design resources have you found invaluable? What do you recommend when working with a less-than-stellar Web designer? Let me know in the comments!
P.S. The “Bad Design Kills” icon was created by Von Glitschka and used with permission.
P.P.S. Sorry for the lapse in posts. Had some health issues and am just now feeling on the mend.
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Shane Arthur on 04.12.2010
I’d also recommend Robin Williams “The Non-Designers Design Book.”
Jeff on 04.12.2010
Thanks, Shane. I’ve heard good things about that book, but have never read it yet, myself. I’ll have to check it out the next time I’m at the local bookstore.
- Jeff
Jeff on 04.12.2010
Just saw this post over at The Future Buzz that has some excellent clean vs. cluttered Web design examples. Check it out: http://thefuturebuzz.com/2008/11/18/the-real-challenge-is-using-less/
Jeff´s last blog ..14 Design Resources for Copywriters
Colleen Wainwright on 04.13.2010
What—no Tufte?!
Seriously (and MAN, is that dude serious), Tufte is probably overkill, or at least, the advanced class. Yet his arguments for the rational, sane, non-decorative use of design are bulletproof. Probably b/c, you know, he uses design. And a lot of unapologetically brusque—yet clear!—language.
Good post. Too many good writers out there get hoodwinked. Too many good people in general.
Colleen Wainwright´s last blog ..Book review: The Book of Awesome
william on 04.14.2010
Good to have you back! Ive missed the posts!
mark evertz on 04.16.2010
Great article that helped me get a lay of the land quickly. Thanks a lot. Really appreciate the your suggestions and those from the people who commented.
Always a big challenge, telling a designer why something isn’t working…when you’re not quite sure how to fix it. This will help.
Best,
Mark
mark evertz´s last blog ..Whine and the World Will Rain Down Upon You