csuguy - 8:14 pm on Aug 31, 2008 (gmt 0)

When it comes to design I'm afraid I feel that it's something innate, and it is rarely compatible with innate programming ability. Or to put it another way; there are two types of person in this world - potential programmers, and potential designers. Sure, anyone can crib someone else's design but at the end of the day that's only going to get you part way. If you've not got natural design ability then I really suggest you partner with or employ someone who has.

I agree, to an extent. There are definately potential programmers and potential designers (and I definately fall into the programmer category) - and a programmer is never going to understand design like the designer, and visa-versa. But that doesn't mean one can't, to a point, expand past their natural talents and learn those abilities of others. It's hard to do, and it's pretty much impossible to beat someone in their own natural area of talent when you don't share that talent, but I do believe that you can make yourself more than adequate in any area if you put in the effort. The problem is that most of the time the desire isn't there (or not enough at any rate) to put in the effort for an area for which you don't posses natural talent.

Now, ideally in business you want everyone to have their own little specialties that they do super well - and you partner together to cover eachothers weaknesses, and thus offer the whole package. But I also believe that the most valuable employee is the one who not only has their area of expertise - but goes beyond into the other areas and becomes at least adequate in them. This helps when communicating with people of other areas of expertise and allows you to step in when they are not available. Also - I like design :D