When I have questions, I look for answers. In this case, I have questions about web designers. Enter: Homer Gaines.
Homer is a designer that can work with a client from the beginning to the end of a project. He codes, he does graphic design, and he understands common problems many sites have and knows how to resolve them. Seemed like a knowledgeable person to seek answers from. I got up the nerve to ask Homer for an interview and he was kind to accept. Last week, we had a great discussion. What did I ask?
- His thoughts on using templates. Are they evil or are there valid uses for using them? Besides my own experiences, there was a debate in the community about it as well. Ironically, Scrivs mentioned the template debate in his article yesterday.
- Should designers know how to code? We discussed showing live code to clients as mentioned on 24 Ways and the pros and cons of using that approach.
- Is Flash dying? With the iPad coming out without Flash compatibility, will designers move away from using Flash?
- What payment terms do you think is fair for the client and the designer so that, in the event the project does not make it to completion, neither party loses out?
- Is a designer’s web site a reflection of their skill and talent? What about portfolios that do not properly show the designer’s talents?
- Do you think there is a disconnect in the pairing of clients and designers? Rarely does a designer have full reign to “design” on a project.
- In his opinion, did he think most designers could resolve problems like reducing exit and bounce rates or spreading traffic through the site instead of focusing on the front page?
- How closely should the client watch over a project? Homer gives examples on how he communicates with clients.
- Is mobile (and the upcoming iPad) compatibility something that a client should expect when a design is done?
Side note: I miss creative portfolios like Dave Werner’s. I couldn’t think of the link when I was talking to Homer but I wish I had because I would have loved to know his thoughts on Dave’s portfolio.
We had an in-depth discussion. Without further ado: right-click/save as (1hr 01m)
Thanks Homer!
Perfect timing Tyme. Downloading and I’m going to listen while I eat lunch. Can the average designer create a portfolio like Werner? He his portfolio is like a story for each project. I’d hire him.
You’re welcome! No, in my experience they can’t. Dave did his for a project for school and he landed a really nice job after he graduated from college. I wish more people took his portfolio as an inspiration and built from it…mixing it to their own style.
I’m listening now. Dude makes a lot of sense. I think if you were to ask 10 people what a web designer does, there would be 10 different responses. The market is saturated.
I at the template part. I now see both views but I am reminded of Jamie Foxx and how he took Mary Had a Little Lamb and turned it into a love song. Isn’t that like a designer changing the look of a template? They don’t normally have to recode anything do they?
It depends on what needs to be done. From my experience (and I am not a designer) going through someone else’s CSS can be a pain. Let me rephrase: I hate it because most designers that I encounter don’t comment their code. As far as the WordPress part, not much should have to be done.
Have you two thought about doing this more often? Like a weekly podcast about design issues? I’m about 20 minutes in and I am really enjoying the conversation. I’m learning a lot.
I agree about doing a podcast more often. I work with designers. The ones at work are cocky and stubborn. Listening to Homer is refreshing. He has a laid back style and he seems to listen. That’s another problem, not listening. I’m having a debate with a designer now about not having the search bar on the right side. He keeps telling me that’s the standard. That’s why the boss doesn’t want it on the right side. He wants something different.
I laughed at the Internet Explorer reference. It’s funny because Microsoft even went to the funeral the other day. They can’t get people to switch over. Can you imagine if you had to force your clients to upgrade when they didn’t want to?
I had a friend that was burnt by hiring a designer, having a custom design done, and months later finding out it was someone else’s design. He had to remove the design because it wasn’t a template, it was a stolen design. As with anything, there are shady designers out there.
Haha, when I read this I thought, “Do you know how much guts it took to ask him to do one!?!” LOL. I know, I have to stop being shy. However, you guys are lucky. He read the comments and said he’s game.
His voice is easy to listen to. Very soothing.
Do you suggest learning to program from a book? Is programming the same as a coding?
If mobile is the next big thing, shouldn’t it be considered when doing designs?
I agree about his voice. Deep, sexy and soothing at the same time.
How can the text not be done but the design is being worked on? Can someone explain that? I don’t understand and I am sure it is something simple. I thought people designed around the content, not the other way around.
@Hazel … There are time’s when a client knows they need a web presence but have not taken any steps to prepare for it outside of asking. One reason for this my be they just don’t know. I have a client who requested a 7 page site but only had 2 paragraphs of copy (text). After working out the structure of the site and identifying the pages that needed more content, they hired a copywriter.
This is most likely to happen with brand new sites as opposed to redesigns where the content already exists.
@dantelle … Yes, programming and coding are the same. As far as learning from a book, I recommended have a few books in your library to keep handy as references. It’s all depends on your learning style. There are many blogs and video sites with tutorials that can you can use.
Mobile is the next big thing but not everyone is ready to make that leap yet. Is it good to learn how to code and design for mobile? Yes. Anything to stay ahead of the curve and make yourself more marketable is always a plus.
Are a lot of people using mobile to surf the internet? I can on my phone but the screen is very small.
Glad you guys are going to do this on the regular. I want to learn more but did not find a resource I could trust.
BTW, I’m writing down your questions to get answers to them so keep ‘em coming!
@Dantelle and Hazel – See….if you say that his ego will swell. He already thinks he’ll be as good as me at God of War 3. Gotta keep that ego in check! LMAO
I laughed when I read this! God of War 3? No WoW? Do you still play? I’m going to look this up because I never heard of it before!
@Dantelle and Hazel … Thanks for the compliment and no, I won’t get the big head. As for God of War 3, Tyme knows she can’t handle me. She would like to think so but it’s a wrap for her
Haha, see what I mean? LMAO Dante’s Inferno is coming today as soon as the slow delivery man gets here LOL. It’s like time is going fast yet slow at the same time. o_O
I learned something because I read an article from a Flash developer. He said Flash would not work with the iPad because touch would not equal a click.
I wouldn’t have pegged him as a designer. He sounds too cool and level headed.
Payment per milestones is a damn good idea. That 1/2 down, 1/2 later is for the birds.
Why does Flash work better on Windows than a Mac? Was it built for Windows and it was ported over for Mac? It is rare to hear something works better on Windows!
Does Pogo and Facebook games work with Flash? If Flash is abandoned, what about those sites? Can HMTL 5 or whatever it is work the same as Flash? I don’t care what method they use as long as my playing experience doesn’t change.
Enjoyed the podcast and I am glad there will be more. Are you going to allow us to submit questions? Or will you be talking about what is going on with design? I trust your judgment.
Haha yes, I will be asking for question and I think it would be a good mix to have both if there is something interesting going on within the community.
Glad you (and everyone else) is enjoying it!
I listened to the entire thing. I enjoyed it and I’m looking forward to future podcasts. I never heard of Homer before. It’s good to find talented people that know what they are talking about.
I heard about the template whore article when it happened. I didn’t see what the problem was. If the client was happy, why did it matter? When designers talk about templates in a bad way, aren’t they dissing their own? Designers make templates, right?
Off-topic: Read your catching up article. I’m sorry your ex let the kids down again. It’s better to have him out of your life.
Yeah, for them I hoped he straightened himself out. It was really weird. Not seeing him in over a decade then finding out he was living in the neighborhood and not saying anything. It was creepy. Unfortunately, they had to learn for themselves how he was. This, they will never forget. Haven’t heard from him since.
Is that the UPS truck I hear????
Before someone asks, I will be opening up the forums but I’m going with Vanilla even though I bought software. It was bloated and had incomplete features. Vanilla, what I used for ST, worked well.
So peeps, make sure you scroll up. Responses might be hard to find as they are replies. So you don’t miss anything.
I noticed. I didn’t think I hit the reply link but it went way up there anyway. I missed the forums.
I suggest we all have a party on Friday when the geeks are at SXSW. It gives everyone a chance to listen to the podcast. I won’t be able to listen until I get home tonight.
If Tyme is willing of course.
I agree! That’s a good idea!
Ahh, you guys are so sweet! I received this a suggestion via email too soooo….
I say we have a party on Friday.
I’m going to close comments and we’ll meet up Friday after lunch (EST) and have a party. How’s that?
I’m closing comments (as per request) and we’re all going to meet up on Friday after lunch (EST) and have a party while the geeks are away. Ya’ll know how we do! In the meantime, listen to the podcast, gather up your questions and get your party hat.
It’s on!
Thanks guys! XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO
Anyone here? I see the comments are open. Yeah!
I’m here! I really enjoyed the podcast and I can’t wait to hear more! Is there a date when they will start?
I’m here! I’m sorry was late.
We are shooting to release the first podcast two weeks from now.
Glad you liked the podcast!
Yeah! Hey everybody! The podcast is great! I already sent my long list of questions to Tyme.
After seeing the designers in 9rules, I am afraid to have a site and ask a designer to design it. If they were the “best” I can’t imagine how everyone else is!
I’m here too. Girl, you would not believe the day I’ve been having. I’m so glad it’s Friday. How is your day going? Saw on Twitter it was your day for long lines.
I sent you questions too.
Lisa, you have a good point but they weren’t the norm, thank goodness.
I’m doing good. I’m excited about the podcast.
As with all things, designers have ranged personalities. Some are super cool like Homer and some are ultra whiny. Some are experienced, some aren’t. Goes with the territory.
You two rocked it! I was sorry the podcast was over. Two weeks? Can’t you do another one earlier? I learned a lot and I want to learn more.
Will you two talk more about the technology around design? Like the iPad for example or why Internet Explorer 6 is bad?
Whomever said he sounds sexy and soothing was right. The guys had Tyme’s sultry voice for years. It’s the ladies turn!
HaaaHooo!!! I’m here!
I agree about talking about tech. I too don’t understand why IE6 is awful. I felt a bit uncomfortable about Jobs making decisions about what goes into the iPad without educating consumers.
Tyme, I looked at the link you posted and I am confused about Flash too. As much as it is used it can’t be that bad.
I agree with Hailey. Can you two squeeze another one in, even if it is a short one? I started listening while I was cooking and the time went by so quickly. I listened to it again in the car. I love portable education.
Haha, ok, I’m going to be honest. God of War 3 for the PlayStation 3 comes out on the 16th. Homer has been looking forward to this for months and I don’t want to deprive him of that awesome gaming experience. I will ask but look forward to two weeks from now.
LOL!!!! wow did you just put that one on me? nice.
Remember we need the forums up. I think we should give them next week to get everything together. They need to talk and sort things out.
Please add technology! Without it, I feel like I’m only getting part of the story. I know the iPad won’t have Flash but I don’t know much about the iPad. Is it something I should purchase? Can I earn brownie points with my boss to bring up if our web site will work with it?
@Hailey – His voice is a good balance of sexy but not so sexy it is distracting. Soothing is a good way to describe his voice. He didn’t use a bunch of techno garble either so I got what he was saying, you know?
Tyme you are being so sweet. I can dig it. Two weeks then. As sweet as he sounds and how nice he was here, it is only fair he kills demons and saves the world! Does he do walkthroughs?
Thank you guys for putting all the new comments at the bottom. Makes it much easier to follow.
You guys rock!
I wish you two did this sooner but better late than never! You two have a nice chemistry. You two seem very comfortable around each other. You know how some podcasts sound with awkward pauses and silences. You two aren’t like that at all, which makes it easier to listen to.
Agree on technology. Agree on more podcasts. If you two can squeeze a small one in that’s great, if not, I’m happy for two weeks.
Maybe Tyme can do another one of THOSE podcasts?
One of THOSE podcasts? WTF? What do you mean? LMAO You know how many podcasts I’ve done?
I hope she means the type where you seduce your audience. I mean entrance your audience.
The oohh aaahh uhhh uhhh podcast. One of those!!!!
Oh I thought you meant the ones where I share my infinite wisdom o_O. Oh wait…I DID. I talked about saying I Promise vs. Being Committed.
Booyah!
LOL @jaheim … “I hope she means the type where you seduce your audience. I mean entrance your audience.” o_O … @tyme?
Hey, I’m down if you are but I wanted to make sure you got your game on! I feel guilty because I’ve been playing before you!
She totally answered in the wrong spot!!!!!
Dude, GOW3 is the shit. Tyme, you playing? You have a 360, right?
You did Tyme and your points were dead on. I didn’t think about it but listening to the podcast, you were right. I realized I was a promiser than a committer. Your style held my attention to listen. More than once.
You have no idea how many times I listened to your podcasts in meetings. Sometimes text doesn’t convey the point as well.
Hi everybody!
I’m about to go to a meeting but I loved it. I didn’t think I would when I heard the topic but I did!
Gotta go but I will be checking back. Love You Tyme.
i’m happy you all enjoyed the podcast and found it informative. appreciate it. *hats off to tyme*
Hey Tyme!
I’m not into design but I liked it. I started researching Flash and the iPad. I didn’t realize I was interested in it until I heard you two talking about it. When you asked about Flash not working right and Homer said it would work, I felt better. Misery loves company.
Oh wow, hey Homer! Hats off to you! I’m glad you two are doing the podcast. Good luck on God of War 3 man. I pre-ordered it and took the day off!
Sup Homer! I played God of War 1 & 2 so I can’t wait for 3. Do your thing man and enjoy. Next week should be on the calendar as a holiday.
You guys are awesome.
I’m playing GoW3 on a PS3. I’m moving on upppppppp!!!!
Leave it to women to want men to work when a kick ass game comes out!
Hey…what about me!!!!! I’m playing too!
Laughing at Jaheim. Women get an inch and take a mile.
Excellent podcast. It was nice and clear, easy to understand, and educational. I saw “designer” and almost skipped it but I’m glad I listened. I recommended it to a few friends too.
God of War is the shit. I am sad this one is the last game.
Hahaha, Homer…seee…there was this podcast…wait…entrance? WTF? LMAO
Oh you mean put the audience in an trance? LMAO Oh man, I can barely type.
Homer, you haven’t heard that podcast? No way! Got to find it.
Go ahead and tease me…..sigh…
I think he meant in a trance. We all were. Have you heard it Homer? You’d know if you had.
No I don’t think he heard it LOL. Oh man…I don’t even know how to explain that one and it sound logical LOL.
Ok I’m going to have to go do some digg’n for this podcast everyone keeps talking about. As for GOW3, I’m hyped! I’ve played 1 and 2 several times because the gameplay, and story is just dope. I did pre-order from gamestop so I could get the addon exclusive codes.
What I loved about The Podcast was that you drew people in Tyme. Then I couldn’t decide whether to listen to you in the background or your words in the podcast.
Man, you don’t have to dig. We ALL have this podcast bookmarked.
http://elixsir.com/i-promise-vs-commitment
Are you into music? If you are you’ll get added value in what she’s doing in the background.
@Walter Henry … not bookmarked? LOL!!! right on. I will be checking this one out.
Homer, it is the community favorite. That’s TYME in the background and she coaxes you to listen for her in the background while talking about a serious topic. She even blends her singing in the background music.
Ya’ll are killing me. I’m laughing so hard right now…
Homer, I forget the numbers but her podcast was downloaded hundreds of thousands of times. She had to upgrade her server. I wish the old comments were here.
I think you two should come up with a catchy name for the podcast. Tyme, can you link to it on the front page so we can easily find the back episodes if we miss one?
Homer, you’re going to like God of War 3. I was able to play it early and it’s nice.
Homer, Tyme did a podcast about relationships. She used the podcast as a way of showing someone you care, which is what is done in a podcast. Remember, Tyme is a master at seduction when she is in a relationship. It was sound advice and made a lot of people look inward about their relationships and why they are in the relationship. Being in love and loving someone.
@janice – A Master. Haha, I’m digging that…LOL.
Homer, similar to her personal brand rhyme:
http://elixsir.com/personal-brand-a-rhyme
I understood that where the articles lost me.
About the promises podcast, I got caught up in the different emotions she expressed. At the end, you can hear the emotion in her words. At the beginning you can feel the passion in her voice. It’s like someone holding your hand through a journey, to me anyway.
now see, you have the psychologist in me coming out. I can see now, I’m going to listen to it with inquisitive ears.
Haha, you guys aren’t listening to that podcast, are you?
Welcome Homer! I really enjoyed your podcast with Tyme. I am very pleased you two are doing this on a regular basis. You are a psychologist?
It was released on Tyme Said originally. Although Scrivs and Tyme never had a relationship, Scrivs is a perfect example of someone who promises and doesn’t follow through. So there were a lot of underlying things going on during that time.
I admit I replayed the beginning a couple of times. It’s a killer.
The brand rhyme was great. A simple explanation.
Homer, she’s released podcasts that had people crying because they felt her pain or crying because they felt her joy. She makes people feel. It’s hard to describe.
She was dead on because a lot of men will hold on to a woman they know is not wifey material just to have someone in their bed/life. That’s not good.
One point on the podcast: cell phone browsers. I understood where Homer was coming from but I was surprised that wasn’t a standard. I hope you two talk more about that in the future.
I need to start winding things down. It’s already after 4!!! I laughed the time away.
Homer, you’ll enjoy it. Sometimes you meet someone and you click with them. An undeniable spark that grows into something special. Then there are times when you meet someone and are only sexually attracted but try to make it into more than it is, if only to spare the person pain. It’s a deep podcast. I suggest listening to the background stuff first because that draws you in first. Then listen to the words.
Ok Tyme…until next time!
Bye Love…bye Homer. Looking forward to your next podcast.
Already??? Dang it. Ok…two weeks. Parting is such great sorrow.
Toodles. Hugs to the both of you!
Haha, you guys are the best!!!