design skills

[luqita]

is this a skill that can be learned? I consider myself a good programmer, but I have no creativity when it comes to designing something cool. Can this be learned? If so, can you point to some good resources on learning how to be a good designer?

Thanks!

[jimmycooper]

Technical skills can be learned, but creativity is innate.

[Sexgenoten]

I think anything can be learned. But if you dont have 'the eye' for it, you can become a descent designer, but never an exceptional one imho.

Btw, i have the same problem ;)

[michael.kickass]

Technical skills can be learned, but creativity is innate.

I agree, you have it or you don't.

[xenigo]

Can you discern the difference between a good design, and a great one? Can you articulate what the differences are?

I've learned that the vast majority of people out there quite literally cannot tell you what the difference is between a so / so design and an excellent piece of work.

Those people are your market. Go for it.

[alf6300]

Can you discern the difference between a good design, and a great one? Can you articulate what the differences are?.

Also "good-looking-design-in-theory" is not necessarily what converts best.

Say you test 3 banners: 2 great ones and 1 ugly one.
It happens oh-so-many-times that the ugly one gets higher ctr..

[xenigo]

Also "good-looking-design-in-theory" is not necessarily what converts best.

Say you test 3 banners: 2 great ones and 1 ugly one.
It happens oh-so-many-times that the ugly one gets higher ctr..

Yeah, totally... and I've designed some of the most obnoxious ridiculous galleries that converted so fucking incredibly well off a small trickle of traffic. Design doesn't always make sense... a lot of times it's just about what works, versus what doesn't.

[Firestarter30]

is this a skill that can be learned? I consider myself a good programmer, but I have no creativity when it comes to designing something cool. Can this be learned? If so, can you point to some good resources on learning how to be a good designer?

Thanks!

I would say that what you need is experience.
You make 1 site its so and so..you make an other and is little better...as long and you work on it , the more nice it will become.
Yet again in my opinion, try to use your imagination... picture it in your mind and then try to make it reality. I think this method works best for every one

[Jakenavaro]

you should get a technique to other nice design template you want so could formulate your own design.

[sexyangela]

Creativity cannot be learned, its what comes within. Sure you can learn how things are done and creativity automatically arise with experience. See a design from your point and don't let others control your senses, you might come up with a master piece.