The second installment. (View Part 1)

Let’s get straight into the interview:

4. If you had a big red button that could eliminate one web design trend, which trend would you destroy and why?

It is not one trend in particular that I would target, but rather the mindset that leans towards any visual execution without critical or conceptual thought. The lack of thought unsurprisingly results in thoughtless design. That did not really answer your question though because it is not a trend.

If I had to pick an actual trend, I would destroy trying to re-introduce old trends that were just as ugly twenty years ago. If I see another t-shirt with Cooper Black I think I am going to lose it.

P.J. Onori

Flashy online advertising - just because it flashes does not mean it’s more affective.

Tam Lister

This “2.0″ naming trend. (Yeah, I know it’s not technically “design”,
but I’m going wild here, like you said.) I think “Web 2.0″ was good.
O’Reilly had good reasons for the term[2] and it was creative. But
now people are using it for everything. It’s even worse than the
iEverything trend. Apple came up with a clever name but then everyone
on the planet had to copy it

I read an article a week ago that not only referred to “Librarian
2.0″, but 3.0 and 4.0 as well. It made me want to claw my eyes out. I
couldn’t finish the article with a straight face.

So, world, stop it with the “2.0″ thing. Seriously. I’m begging you.

Tyson Tate

5. Trends play an important role in web design. Agree?

Sure, I suppose. Design trends in general give you a heads up on
who’s innovating. It’s especially interesting after the fact to see
where they started and why. So I’d say they’re useful more from an
intellectual standpoint than a design standpoint.

Brian Warren

Trends play a popular role in web design. I wouldn’t necessarily say it was an important role. It’s a good thing in that they make the web as a whole look better, but because of the sheep mentality, not enough people just go off and do their own thing. We’re losing out on a lot of unique, individual design because everyone is too busy looking like everyone else.

Richard Dunlop-Walters

Yes. If there are recognised trends then these can be used to benefit a client. For example if I get a client who wishes to appeal as “corporate” then I will automatically design a clean style. Why? Because this will be perceived by their audience as “corporate” and will therefore be acceptable. Sometimes however, depending on what the client wants, it is good to break from the style of their industry and help them to stand out. E.g. a rock band site is usually grungy – well why not make one clean and slick to appeal to a slightly different section of their audience?

Matt Davies

Agree / disagree. While trends may express popularity, they often prevent creative individuals from embracing their true skill set. When an individual in seek of design inspiration realizes that the current trend is to design with xxx idea in mind, and the following designer follows suit, the web begins to look like one giant carousal of mirrors.

Derek Punsalan

Agreed. Trends become trends for a reason, and for the most part they roll because a certain majority deems them worthy of being a trend. If a trend is not worthy, someone will call it out.

Mike Papageorge

Agreed. Trends become trends for a reason, and for the most part they roll because a certain majority deems them worthy of being a trend. If a trend is not worthy, someone will call it out.

Josh Pigford

6. Showcases often encourage the momentum of particular trends. Is this good for design?

I think it is good to see what other people are doing. It really forces you to look at your own work and consider how you could improve upon it. I think that is the fundamental problem - people look at other work and think “How can I do that?” rather than, “What is this person doing well and how does that relate to my work?”

I feel people of any vocation can get stuck in a rut if they continually look to their own peers for inspiration. If you are only approaching a project from the perspective of just a web designer, you are going to have a very narrow view.

P.J. Onori

Showcases are useful for inspiration. I think that they tend to spread similar styles which is neither good nor bad. If they didn’t do it people would build up their favourites and the same thing would happen.

Matt Davies

I browse design showcases daily and rarely stop to notice a website unless its design stands out from the rest. Trends are just that, trends. What showcases should do is to promote websites which break away from particular trends allowing those seeking inspiration to maintain an open point of view for their next creation(s).

Derek Punsalan

Showcases will always be a small percentage of the web and as such like looking at design through a microscope. This acts as a magnifying glass and creates trend viruses that spread quickly. I don’t think that is a good thing for design, however I think it is always part of the process and as such take it for what it is.

Tam Lister

And that brings us to the end of Part 2. I’m sure the designers will be willing to answer any questions you may have so get debating! Thanks again to the designers who came onboard for this interview. Watch out for Part 3 soon.

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