The Internet evolves at an amazing pace; just three years ago there was no Twitter and there was no iPhone. Less than a year ago, HTML5 was fighting for existence from XHTML 2.0, and now it rises to give us Google Wave and perhaps the end of Flash as we know it. As “web designers” we must also evolve, but we must outpace adoption. We, as the talent, hold a unique skill set; it is important to remember that the distance between unique and average is only separated by a short amount of time.
In 1997, just knowing basic HTML equated to plethora of job opportunities with highly competitive salaries. In 2000, just knowing Flash meant your resume was sent to the top of the pile and the interview was guaranteed (for better or worse). In 2003, knowing CSS was a desired skill-set that put you among the leaders and innovators of your profession. In 2006, an understanding of the DOM, web standards and the semantic web got you a promotion or even a new job! And, in 2009, a mastery of jQuery and an ambitious attitude towards pushing HTML5 and CSS3 to new heights are the traits that move you to the cream of the crop.
The distance between unique and average is short. To be a great web designer, to be unique, we must remember that the distance to stay that way is twice as long. We have to experiment with CSS in its infancy, during its most frustrating times of browser incompatibility. We have to explore the DOM and advocate for web standards years before its mass-adoption. We have to understand jQuery before it’s polished and we have to know when to fight for Flash and when to let go. We have to have the passion to know what CSS3 could do before we find out what it will do.
In 2012, we might be working with CSS4 and HTML6 or we might be advocating XHTML all over again – heck, everything might just be an iPad app. We might be self-closing our tags or we might not be; the important element is for us to not wait until 2012 to understand the why or the how.
It is often easy for us to become comfortable with what we are good at; what was once a talent, a commodity, can often become common place or even obsolete. Table-less layouts and the jQuery cycle are now more the norm than perhaps was true just three years ago. It isn’t that one must master HTML5 and CSS3 today but rather understand that an inability to do so even just a year from now dramatically shortens the distance between unique and average.
We strive to be great, and in doing so we mock those still coding table-based sites; but will we be mocked six years from now? Will we have failed to adapt where those before us did as well? To continue to strive to be great, we must continue to evolve at a faster pace than adoption. The web moves fast, we have to remember to keep up.
Antoine Butler
February 2nd 2010
Great write up. Like in the past, it will be those who adopt early and often who will prosper. Wether it’s through personal projects or private experiments, it is these developers that will ensure themselves a job in the future.
I recall hearing ric Meyer say at An Event Apart ‘07 (and I’m paraphrasing) -
We have to do the same with every new technology and technique that comes our way. I often argue against using CSS 3 because it isn’t well enough supported. One day it will be… and if I don’t change my attitude on the subject soon enough, I’ll be out of work.
Thanks for the reminder.
Gabe
February 2nd 2010
I agree particularly about the “We have to have the passion to know what CSS3 could do before we find out what it will do.” Maintaining that passion is the hardest thing for me, both to accomplish and to explain to other people. So many other professional services have no need for constant passion, but in our field it’s an absolute requisite for success. For me this leads to a lot of “work” that isn’t really “work”, in the sense that it takes effort, but there’s no billable client for it. Fortunately, it’s fun “work”, so it doesn’t usually bog me down and I can easily make an excuse for doing it.
Martin Ringlein
February 2nd 2010
@Gabe,
I completely agree. I think this is something that is important to remember for both the creative talent and the organizations that manage them.
I remember back in 2004 when JavaScript was still a dirty word, and today it’s an essential part of most web sites/applications ... where would the web be if we all listened to the boss who simply said “don’t use JavasScript” or the IT Director that demanded table-based layouts.
If we are not exploring and experimenting with tomorrows technology today, we’ll become obsolete, you’ll become obsolete.
Greg
February 3rd 2010
Inspiring thoughts guys.
For browser-based websites, we are already into the beginning of the era of the dynamic interface (currently implemented through JS and jQuery, with CSS3 and HTML5 coming along soon to enhance even further) and if dynamic interaction on the site is not becoming part your core skillset then you are falling behind.
(PS, I like the Live Preview above the comments box, that’s exactly the type of thing I’m talking about.)
IDS
February 8th 2010
Wow! I can’t believe that you wrote about what I have been thinking about and getting somewhat concerned about. At least as it relates to my future as a designer, I have been stuck in a rut doing the same old things for a while now, I need to step out on a limb… Thank you for this post. This has motivated me to stop thinking and start doing before I am left in the dust.
Martin Ringlein
February 8th 2010
ISD, thanks for the comment; glad you found it motivating. We certainly agree that it’s far to easy to get comfortable than it is to move forward. It is the best part and hardest part of this profession.
Jeff Batterton
February 10th 2010
Great writing.