Web Design And New Technologies

We work in an everchanging industry. Standards and technologies constantly evolve.

As a business owner I must balance my inner nerd and inner accountant.

I love new techniques and clever ways to do things. I would love to explore new technology and incorporate the latest wizbangery in my next website. These technologies can improve user experience and website conversion.

However implimenting new technology is an opportunity cost. The time it takes me to understand the new process, write the code, impliment and test the result, takes far longer than me doing it the way I have always done it. However, at some point I must have done this to learn "the way I have always done it".

So as web designers we must have a solid skill set, but always be looking at what new things are coming along.

Be interested in good web design

I stay up to date with what is current and emerging by:

• Reading blogs from influential designers.
• Following web designers on Twitter
• Paying attention when browsing the web and taking note of random gems I find.
• Looking in places like www.reddit.com/r/web_design or www.stumbleupon.com
• Expanding my exploration to other design industries, graphic design, photography, architechure.

Analyse new processes

I frequently come across websites that impress me. Good navigation, form validation, or a css effect catches my attention. I want to know how they have done it. I read their site, search for tutorials on it, until I have a basic understanding.

Implement new processes

These techniques stay with me and as new problems present themselves, I consider my implimentation alternatives. I might go with what I have always done, or the problem might be better solved by a new technique. I then get to develop it with a new solution. This adds to my skillset and my toolbox expands.

It can be a bit disconcerting at times. If you look back you might not be using any tools or techniques you did a few years ago. My day is full of HTML5 doctypes, jQuery libs, PHP5 classes etc now.

So as web designers there is underlying core skills - programming, design, business skills. In addition to these you need to be willing to learn as you go and find the balance between shiny and cost effective.

Follow me on twitter @WWDesign