Richard Clark
Richard Clark is a front-end designer based in Manchester, UK. He is well-known for running html5doctor and html5gallery, two projects promoting, and embracing, HTML5 mark-up. Richard is Head of Interactive at KMP Digitata and, his day being more than 24 hours long, also co-organizes the Speak the Web conferences.
Richard tweets @Rich_Clark.
More thoughts by Richard Clark:
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"Responsive Web Design". A phrase we're all familiar with thanks to the wonderful work of Ethan Marcotte.
But quite frankly though, I am bored of hearing it.
It's not like I don't like the phrase, in fact it's quite the opposite. It describes its function perfectly. There is also no doubt we need to continue exploring the shift towards responsive web design while continuing to refine our techniques and methodologies. However, this is just one of the many challenges we face many in the crazy faced paced world of the web.
So what's my point? Well, what I'd really like to see in the coming months and years is to hear about people following a similar path to the one trodden by Ethan. I want to hear about new discoveries and in turn, the definition of new phrases & terms that describe our methods, techniques and working practices. Rather than every blog article repeating and quoting each other, let's push ourselves to break new ground and define a new lexicon of language for the web in order for us grow into a mature, independent medium.
It's time to cast away our relationships with other industries such as print and shape our own future. Like a child learning to talk, web design has learned a few words - now it's time to expand her vocabulary.
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As designers & developers I'd say that we're pretty much always sold on concepts such as progressive enhancement, responsive web design, designing in the browser, etc. We want to actively incorporate these processes into our work as much as we can. Problems can arise though, for those of us who work in agencies. Want to build that next site responsively? Someone has to pay.
In my role, I'm lucky that I get to meet clients early on and explain these concepts to them and explain the benefits. Others I know that work in larger agencies or big organizations aren't so lucky. They're hampered by archaic processes or sales people who refuse to alter their stock script. If this sounds like you, become an educator, sit down and show them these new techniques and highlight the benefits. Generally people are responsive to new ideas and ultimately you're the expert. If they choose not to listen, do yourself a favor and go find some smart people to work for.
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Time. It's a precious commodity. Some would argue that time is, perhaps, the most precious commodity. Family, friends, work, hobbies, chores, side projects, education & more all warrant & need our time yet it's the one thing we can't have more of. Sure we can work smarter and use tools to improve our productivity but ultimately we can't have more time. I often find myself thinking about dormant domains, looking through sketchbooks and notepads full of great ideas.
How many great ideas for side (or other) projects never come to fruition because of a lack of time? We need a place to share those ideas with like minded people. Blogs, Twitter, Github, Kickstarter & others help facilitate this but all are lacking in some way. I'd like to see a place where I can give ideas away, some throwaway, some more thought through. A place where someone will take on those ideas if they deem them worthy and because they have the time. Maybe somewhere exists that I don't know about, or maybe this is just another idea I don't have time for.
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I recently attended a graduate recruitment event to talk to students about coming to work with us at KMP. A lot of them offered to send me their CVs, some offered to send their pdf portfolios.
I told each of them that I wouldn't read them. I'm more interested in personality and your work - online. Sure, some background is important but generally I want to be sent URLs, Github accounts, your @ name etc; you get the picture.
Maybe I'm in the minority here, but it seems to me that schools, colleges and universities need to wise up and move with the times both in terms of course content, gaining employment and more. Creating closer links between industry and education has to be the way to go. It's time to talk.
Here are the dates of Richard Clark's future thoughts:
- Monday, 21 May
- Thursday, 28 June
- Tuesday, 17 July
- Thursday, 30 August
- Monday, 17 September
- Monday, 29 October
- Monday, 26 November
- Sunday, 30 December