Should designers code — our honest take (55 chars)

Should designers code?

Should designers code? We’ve been asking ourselves that question since 2004 — across identities, interfaces, and campaigns where design met production head-on. The answer depends entirely on what kind of designer you want to be, and what kind of work you want to make. Should designers code is the wrong binary; the real question is how much of the medium should you understand before you hand it off.

September 28, 20241 Minutes

Yes, of course, you should seek it, but we should also focus on everything that helps us become better..

Yes—code, illustrate, take photos, make videos, write, play, create with your hands… grow. Essentially, everything a project demands, you should have a working understanding of how to do it. I’m not suggesting you need to master every skill at a professional level; we have talented friends for that. But you should be able to engage with professionals, speak their language, and understand the process deeply enough to ensure things are executed just as you envisioned.

So, sharpen your skills, push beyond the boundaries of your job description, and explore new territories. This is what you were made to do. This is why we’re here.



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