Title: A Design Primer for Engineers
Context: Sometimes it’s good to get a peek at how the other half view us.
Synopsis: Engineers and designers. Oil and water or yin and yang? Most people might think the former but it had better be the latter if you want to have any hope of shipping anything halfway decent. Resentment and mistrust are feelings borne of ignorance. Engineer: “What do those arty guys do on their MacBooks all day?” Designer: “Why do those geeks get so many monitors?” We must overcome our prejudices and learn to understand our brothers and sisters from across the cubicle. For only when engineer and designer walk hand and hand, as equals, will we reach the mountaintop of kick-ass, user-centric products. I see a day on the horizon that involves well designed, stable, high performing software built by partners in a culture of mutual understanding and respect. I have a dream.
Best Bit: “This means when your boss stands up in front of the team at that all-hands and says, ‘We’ll have a design-centered culture’, there’s a good chance he’s saying nothing at all.”
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