Comments on: Shoot First, Think Later

By: Tara Joyce

Tara Joyce — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 14:59:52 +0000

Touche. But my argument still stands - know what you are saying, what
you are communicating before you go out and buy that template, or
custom design. Understand the message before you decide on the visuals.

I have no problem with templates (mostly) but I do have a problem with
websites that spend all their time on the design without bothering to
consider the content. The design while appealing isn't what will have
people returning or staying.

By: gulliver

gulliver — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 13:12:07 +0000

'Said the young man, to the old man...'

How is creating the design before writing the content a mistake?

That's exactly how templates are originated - on the basis that an appropriate design can accommodate a wide variety of content.

Your basic point of 'design should complement content' is sound.

(And yes, of course I'm being difficult here.)

By: Tara Joyce

Tara Joyce — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 00:03:16 +0000

All very true. But still, don't design your site before you write it.
Unless your name starts with g and ends with ully.

By: gulliver

gulliver — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 21:29:48 +0000

Let's introduce a little mischief...

Swiping from Kwakkers, 'churn, baby churn' and 'don’t worry, be crappy' spring readily to mind.

'Don't deceive yourself that the first version of your stuff is great. And don't wait to perfect before you ship. Revise and improve continuously.'

Besides, 'thinking' is hugely over-rated. (And that comes fro a strategist. Ha!)

By: Tara Joyce

Tara Joyce — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 01:06:17 +0000

It absolutely does. It takes far more work. But it makes the final
product far more valuable and effective. It comes back to the simple
idea of 'understand why you are doing something before you do it'.

By: timbursch

timbursch — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 21:37:48 +0000

It seems like some companies and people have an idea (I've done this too) and just throw something together, but don't really have the purpose figured out. Why are we selling this? What am I really writing about? Doing thing intentionally takes more time and attention.