11 Priceless...

Jeffrey… there is a reason you do what you do and this article proves that. Your definition of web design alone is perfect. I’m calling Websters up right now(wait… are they really relevant anymore? lol)

thanks for one of your best articles I have ever read about this industry. It makes complete sense.

B

posted at 06:02 pm on November 20, 2007 by Brian Artka

12 A Certain Sympathy for Corporate Clients

@Thomas Eagle I have a certain sympathy for your corporate clients. I did not appreciate how many decisions and how much work I would have to do when getting a website built. It is worse that having the builders in.

posted at 06:50 pm on November 20, 2007 by Niamh Kiernan

13 A great source of inspiration

Wow, I really love this article, every single word. Jeffrey, your work really inspires me and now you did it again. Thanks.

posted at 06:55 pm on November 20, 2007 by Lim Chee Aun

14 Nice work

This is a great article! Developing web sites designed by people that have no idea how to design for the web is as frustrating as it gets! * Forwarded to the entire office.

posted at 07:12 pm on November 20, 2007 by Mike Poperszky

15 One word...

Bellissimo.

posted at 07:17 pm on November 20, 2007 by Craig Saila

16 Thank you!

Absolutely have to say “thank you” for finding the time and orchestrating your talent to compose the words that define our goals. This is a task with which I have struggled, and you found the bulls eye. And you share with us. Thank you!

posted at 07:32 pm on November 20, 2007 by Eddie Sutton

17 Yes.

That’s really all I can say. I started to write a bunch of other stuff, but it all boils down to: yes, and thank you.

posted at 07:55 pm on November 20, 2007 by Elaine Nelson

18 Elephants, even when they're not in the room

Sorry, but I got hopelessly distracted by a certain link to a certain blog thread about a photo of elephants.

I’ve struggled for over a decade trying to make sites that were pretty instead of simply functional.

And finally realized that I’d allowed myself to be misled by folks who made pretty sites which simply didn’t function.

posted at 07:58 pm on November 20, 2007 by Joel Canfield

19 A reference point

At the risk of insulting the many talented graphic designers and production staff I’ve worked with over the years who do get it, this article will come in very handy explaining (maybe to junior designers) just what the difference between visual design and functional design for the web is.

Of course, you need both skills to design web sites, but as you put it, normally the second is lacking.

In fairness to most designers, they’re normally stymied by the pitch given to the client in the first place, but I think the tide is now turning.

I’d say more clients understand the web as they play on facebook, use google (and live) maps and, possibly blog. What’s more, I’d say that poor user experiences clients have had may encourage less short-sighted commissions.

Great article.

posted at 08:24 pm on November 20, 2007 by Dan Eastwell

20 Untitled

Too few people understand what design is, hence they introduce difficulty to the world. Jeffrey says succinctly the purpose of design — to enable (make possible) new human activity. The American Institute of Architecture just published an essay written by Chauncey Bell, one of my friends. It’s titled My Problem with Design. Chauncey makes a similar point, I understand the role of the designer as bringing new practices to people. Our websites and our everyday tools would be far easier and more valuable while in the act of using them if we take Jeffrey’s and Chauncey’s message to heart.

posted at 08:26 pm on November 20, 2007 by Hal Macomber