From engineer to artist

When Craig Cook first brought up the concept that good web designers are equally good writers, engineers and artists in his article "How to Grok Web Standards," I immediately agreed and everything became once again, more clear. When I first heard of web design a few years ago, I thought art. But as I heard more and more about it right up until I took this course, I began to realize how it involved so much more than artistic talents and knowledge about designing.

Cook illustrates this idea too, especially when he breaks down what it takes to be a "standards-savvy web designer." First, one must think like a writer. The designer has to be as clear and concise as possible when communicating the content of the web site, which involves good writing skills. Next, the core of web design, the building of the site. Learning the language of HTML and CSS involves several more unique skills, and thinking like an engineer will only aid this learning process as Cook says.

Once a web designer gets the "machine" working in the HTML format, then they can start thinking like an artist, striving to make everything pretty and pleasing to look at as a viewer. This part is what I'm personally most excited for, but I'm also very eager to get all the HTML language under my belt.

Speaking of which, I'm once again extremely grateful for the other readings on the breakdown of HTML and CSS. Just a few more pieces of paper that are all highlighted and ready to be stashed in a priority folder for me to reference as soon as we get working on the web design process.