32 Getting Started Right
you will also want to have general competence and understanding
of other skills and, ideally, find a niche to really gain an expertise.
You’ll frequently find that after several years in a web design career,
you rarely stay a generalist. Inevitably, web designers find a area
of design to focus on. We become experts with funky titles: mobile
designers, UX engineers, interactive designers, JavaScript ninjas,
and WordPress rock stars.
Once you find your passion for a specific area of web design, you’ll
want to not only master the field now, but stay on top of trends and
new developments going forward. Check out Chapter 4 for more
discussion on skills.
Develop a Style & Philosophy
You’d think that, having improved your skills, you don’t have to
worry about style. If you’re good enough, you can do any style,
right? What’s the point in limiting yourself?
In reality, the most successful designers inevitably develop a style
which they’re known for. And it’s important to know what we mean
when we say “style” to understand the importance. Style, in this
sense, is not merely an aesthetic preference, but a designer’s
personal philosophy and perspective on solving design problems.
To call upon an over-used example, consider Apple’s iconic brand.
Apple’s “style” isn’t merely glass screens and clean edges. It’s
a minimalistic philosophy that includes value on user interface,
among many other things.
As you develop your career as a designer, potential employers and
clients will want to test and understand your design style. Vitaly
Friedman shares the qualities he tests for when hiring new design-
ers as editor of Smashing Magazine (Smashing Network). He
explains how little tests on the use of color and design can tell a lot
about a designer:
