The Tribune

Use Art of Graphix logo from Business logos. Byline ‘By Deidre M. Bastian’, and use Pic of Deidre Bastian as e-mailed

Throughout the years, web and graphic designers have tried to dispel the myths surrounding their career. And while many are hilarious and annoying, there are a few that are generally harmless.

In my quest to demystify some of them, I will also give you the true understanding of fact and fiction in the world of graphic or web design. Let’s look at a few of them:

• A website is expensive advertising

A good website is much more than advertising. It is good promotional information that your customers can access 24/7, 365 days a year. Unlike advertising, you do not need to spend thousands of dollars each month to keep your company in the spotlight.

• Every website lies:

Since most visitors might be sceptical about your information, establishing credibility is critical. Be mindful that there exists a lot of snake oil for sale on the web. However, a good website must provide extreme credibility to triumph.

• A website must have music playing automatically when a user visits the site:

This gesture can be annoying and compel visitors to abandon the website without taking any positive action. However, music files can enhance a web design, but should never be programmed to play repeatedly.

• “A web designer has to do what the client wants”:

In most businesses, the adage “ the customer is always right” is true, technically. However, although a designer should respect the client’s views, it is incumbent upon them to ensure the gesture does not have damaging effects for the site.

• “The site should load within three seconds, or it is doomed”:

Although a high-speed website is always desirable and beneficial, there are some cases when the site speed can be compromised in order to have superior user experience.

Just because a certain industry expert suggests that you avoid Flash to ensure your site loads within three seconds, you should not compromise the quality and usability of the site.

• You can get a great website for $50:

If the cookie-cutter sites sound too good to be true, they probably are. Do some serious research. Companies such as Nike and BMW have spent more than $20 million for a website, so a $50 website will probably only give you what you pay for.

• Websites can say anything they want:

A business website is responsible for portraying a good image. Nonetheless, even though some sites make outrageous statements, they do so at their own risk.

• Every business website needs a blog:

A blog can be very tempting. However, it can also destroy credibility, especially if someone posts a negative comment. Use extreme caution, as sometimes a blog can be a mistake.

• Links to other websites aren’t important:

Visitors always value links to good information.

• Customers want to be entertained:

Unless you are in the entertainment industry, your business website must inform potential customers rather than entertain.

• It’s an easy job:

I’ve heard students say: “I want to become a graphic designer because I want an easy job.” Sorry to say, but designers work very long hours under extremely tight deadlines and tolerate demanding clients. Designers are accountants, customer service/sales and marketing representatives. They are the ultimate multi-taskers, working on several projects at once and expected to constantly develop fresh ideas every single time.

• Studying ends after College:

The tooth fairy was wrong again. If you do not like reading or learning new things, graphic design may not be the field for you. Even though most designers are self- taught, they are still required to keep up with the latest software and the world. As a designer, it is required that you read and learn how everything works and ensure that your skills are always sharpened.

• Graphic Designers fix computers:

I’m not sure about this, but there is mass confusion about the limitless knowledge of graphic/web designers.

But, according to the grapevine, because designers work on a computer all day, it is assumed that they can build one from scratch. Note: Graphic designers are designers and not IT specialists.

• Designers are mind readers:

“I want a logo, but I don’t know what I want. I’ll know it when I see it.” Occasionally, people have a hard time communicating and that is OK, but it does make the job of the designer very difficult. Designers are not mind readers and will not know that “clouds give you nightmares” if you do not tell them.

Ironically, techno-phobia is at the root of most designer myths, which are usually harmless and amusing, and perhaps live longer than the people who create them.

Subsequently, when myths are repeated often enough they become part of our common knowledge, as nearly every myth begins as a part truth that keeps growing and growing.

Moreover, many myths begin as a reasonable or understandable explanation to questions that people are afraid to ask. Barbara Streisand said it quite nicely when she noted myths as being a “waste of time”, since they prevent progression. Until we meet again, fill your life with memories rather than regrets. Enjoy life and stay on top of your game!

NB: Columnist welcomes feedback at deedee2111@hotmail.com

About the Columnist: Ms Bastian is a trained graphic designer. She has trained at many institutions such as Miami Lakes Technical Centre, Success Training College, College of the Bahamas, Nova Southeastern University, Learning Tree International, Langevine International and Synergy Bahamas.