Should designers code?

The other day I came across this fascinating blog from C-21 (http://www.c-21.co.uk/blog/2011/10/should-designers-code/), which raises an interesting issue. Should designers code? Well I am, by nature and by trade, a designer first and foremost and yet I also create and manage websites. Because I am a designer first and website developer second I cannot claim to be a coder or a programmer. I simply don’t have that background.

This does, however, mean that my gut answer to this question is yes. It isn’t as straightforward as all that though. Both design and coding require detailed knowledge, skill, application and a certain amount of training. To be an expert in both would be difficult if nigh on impossible. Of course a designer doesn’t need to know all the ins and outs of all forms of coding when they prepare the look and feel of a website. In some respects this knowledge could restrict the design and hamper the designer. However, some knowledge, particularly of HTML and CSS is important, along with an understanding of what functionality and applications are available. Without this when the site comes to be coded problems arise, time runs on and costs increase.

As a designer who also codes I have had many successful collaborations with other graphic designers who, aware of their strengths and weaknesses, or simply choosing not to, avoid the development of websites. Usually I am provided with a full design created in Photoshop and supplied with all relevant layers, plus text and font formation. It is then my task to turn the design into a working website. This successful way of working has seen many well designed websites take to the web.

All this of course begs the additional question, should coders and programmers understand design? I address this question in the blog for our sister business, Website365 here.