The Tribune

A debate has raged for years over whether professional website designers should know how to code websites. Over the past year or so, I have seen blog posts written that exhort web designers to learn HTML, CSS and PHP. Some of these blogs have even gone as far to say that if you do not know how to code, you are not a true web designer. Numerous persons feel these opinions do have merit.

To answer this dispute, I took a poll by asking the question: Should all web designers have coding skills. The results were as follows:

• 70 per cent of respondents said designers should have good coding skills

• 25 per cent said basic knowledge is adequate

• 5 per cent thought a good designer could create a great design without coding experience.

These results were not too astounding, as you cannot be a farmer and not have a clue how to care for your crops or understand the basics of conservation. But before we branch out any further, let us first look at the definition of a web designer. A web designer is someone who prepares content for the Internet. This role is mainly related to the styling and layout of pages with content, including text and images.

Yet the term, ‘web designer’, may be subjective and mean different things to different people. To some, it equates to ‘designer’ or ‘graphic artist’. To others it is someone possessing good front-end coding skills, and who can create an HTML and CSS layout with JavaScript interactions.

That said, all artists should understand the medium they are working with, especially coding, which helps designers speak the same language as the developers building the site. This prevents designers from making elementary mistakes.

Some of the feedback I received from persons who were AGAINST CODING skills was as follows:

• A talented designer will do great things without coding knowledge.

• Time is precious: It’s difficult to learn coding and keep up with the rapid pace of development.

• An architect does not need to understand plumbing or electricity supply. That can be handled by an expert in those fields.

• If you do not understand code, you are not constrained by limitations and can push the boundaries of the web.

Web design is subjective, and means different things to different people. I have seen great designers who had little coding knowledge. Likewise, I have also witnessed mediocre designers who had good coding abilities.

So what is different in 2015? Web development has become increasingly specialised. A decade ago we did not have roles such as digital strategists, social media specialists or SEO copywriters. And the ‘jack-of-all-trades’ term, ‘webmaster’, is no longer used or relevant.

Internet-based jobs have been elevated, with freelancers making a good living from ‘just’ graphic design, JavaScript coding or database creation.

The Internet has moved beyond the fixed-width designs that were prevalent a few years ago, and a designer who does not appreciate the subtle complexities will struggle to create a usable mock-up.

A good web designer should always be interested in the overall structuring of web layout. There are many templates and free software to assist with a quick and easy website that does not require coding. But it is useful to at least understand what a grid layout is, and how it can be adapted for different screen sizes.

Therefore, I stand on the premise that advanced coding abilities may not be necessary. but an appreciation of web page construction - and at least an understanding of the basics of coding to avoid mistakes - is essential. Until we meet again, fill your life with memories as opposed to regrets. Enjoy life and stay on top of your game.

• NB: The columnist welcomes feedback at deedee21bastian@gmail.com

ABOUT THE COLUMNIST: Deidre Marie Bastian is a professionally trained graphic designer/marketing voordinator with qualifications of M.Sc., B.Sc., A.Sc. She has trained at institutions such as: Miami Lakes Technical Centre, Success Training College, College of the Bahamas, Nova South Eastern University, Learning Tree International, Langevine International and Synergy Bahamas.