There are three main roles that facilitate the delivery of a website: the designer, the content provider and the developer. The three roles are tightly interwoven in to the website production process and it is often the case that each is performed by a single individual. As such there is confusion about what each role encompasses. The tasks in each, however, are quite distinct.
The challenge for a lot of African website publishers is the lack of discussion and awareness of these roles. We have shown aptitude with oral and written media like radio, television, newspapers and books but there is an apparent unfamiliarity that we have with the Internet. We have critically acclaimed and articulate writers, TV and radio personalities but where are our designers and developers? Who do we look to as an example of immaculate African design or ingenious African technical prowess?
Standards Compliant Designs
The Design and the Design Process
Software Development
Wearing Different Hats
Most visitors to citizenuganda.com will have websites of their own and in publishing their site will play to their most developed role while getting by in the others. This works well in the blogosphere but not so well in industry. We are faced with the very real possibility of the need to be proficient in each.
Perhaps, we need to re-evaluate the formal education we receive that equips us for each role? The Computer Science graduate with all their technical wizardry does not have the background to understand good design or how to be a good writer. A content provider will usually have a background in Journalism, Film, Video or Sound Engineering, none of which teaches programming, databases, online security or the difference between a good and bad user experience. In the same vein the degree-holding Illustrator or User Interface Designer can work magic in Photoshop but is rendered powerless with a single line of Java code or is bored by the prospect of having to actually write.
Inspiration for 2008
Looking forward, the African web-publishing community needs renaissance left and right brain internet architects in a reality that educates us to pick a single hemisphere of our brain to develop. For motivation, I'd like to leave with some sites made that have inspired me to develop my experience in the three roles. I hope they inspire you too.
