Artists cannot design interfaces.

[ShaneWalter]

It's a BA because it's a BACHELOR'S IN ARCHITECTURE. This is because IT IS IN ITS OWN FACULTY, the FACULTY OF ARCHITECTURE. Do you not comprehend the nomenclature?

This is probably VERY confusing for a tiny mind like yours.

The UofT offers two programs.

http://www.daniels.utoronto.ca/programs/ba_architectural_studies

You can get a "BA in Architectural Studies", which "provide degree options for students wishing to study architecture as part of a liberal arts education." It is NOT what Architects take.

Architects get into the "Architectural Studies Major Program", in which you are granted a real Bachelors of Architecture and NOT a Bachelors of Arts in Architectural Studies which are very different things.

Now you're playing the "Not a real Scotsman" game. Ben's original link included the "BA in Architectural Studies". You went off on a rant about how Ben was polluting your thread because a BA is a Bachelor's of Architecture. You were wrong. The BA that was listed on the page Ben first linked you to was a Bachelor of Arts degree. Now, since you couldn't bear to have Ben be right, you're shifting the goal posts and saying "Well, a true architect wouldn't take that program." As far as I can see, the B.Arts in architectural studies would allow one to take the exact same classes as a student enrolled in the B.Architecture program.

[Asher]

For right or for wrong, Asher's point stands. He said Bachelor of Arts in Architecture.

Yes, Ben altered the quoted text from the site he posted from within quotes.

That's something you can get expelled for on a paper, even in the arts faculties...am I right?

[Asher]

Now you're playing the "Not a real Scotsman" game. Ben's original link included the "BA in Architectural Studies". You went off on a rant about how Ben was polluting your thread because a BA is a Bachelor's of Architecture. You were wrong.

I went off on Ben for altering the quoted text. What he quoted is not what the site said.

The BA that was listed on the page Ben first linked you to was a Bachelor of Arts degree. Now, since you couldn't bear to have Ben be right, you're shifting the goal posts and saying "Well, a true architect wouldn't take that program." As far as I can see, the B.Arts in architectural studies would allow one to take the exact same classes as a student enrolled in the B.Architecture program.

Seeing as that's not the case, thank you for your contribution to this thread -- that will be all, thanks.

Ben said "it's in the arts faculty". It's not. In many schools, it's in Engineering. In the University of Toronto, it's in its own faculty. The UofT also offers a "lite" degree for "liberal arts" students, but that does not make Ben correct. You're guilty of moving the goalposts with Ben, several times.

Now you are really starting to ****ing piss me off. You're threadjacking and you're aiding and abetting a pathological liar. Go away. Are you one of Ben's Christian circle-jerk "it's not gay if God doesn't know" friends?

[FrostyBoy]

WTF does architecture have to do with UI design? It's apples and oranges. Asher, you've been suckered into a discussion that's irrelevant to your OP. Pretty ironic, considering the first sentence.

OK, on topic:

Interface design aims for both full functionality and intuitive operation (ease of use, fast learning curve). These folks tend to be pretty well-rounded -- technical, but with significant training in the liberal arts. From wiki:


Significantly, most college programs in human factors grant a bachelor of science degree.

So, back to Asher's question:

IMHO, an artist can, in theory, come up with a great interface. Of course, the artist would need to know enough about coding (or industrial design) to do it as well; clearly there's an engineering aspect that must also be mastered. Artists are more open to tapping into insights, making intuitive leaps, and that can create something unique and effective.

OTOH, in the real world, if you were in need of a UI for a technical product, the smart move is to assign an engineer/programmer, who are much more attuned to meeting the rigorous needs of the intended product design. The best UI designers in my experience are technical types who have a creative side -- and are open to the creative leap that unites basic functionality with intuitive usability.

I've seen a lot of technical products designed. I've overseen a lot of Web design, both large sites and small. To meet all basic customer needs and create a successful, well-accepted interface, my first choice is to go with the technical expert, preferably one committed to extensive user testing during the development process. But I generally want someone with a strong aesthetic sense on my team as well, to maximize the chance of that insightful leap that can carry a design from "effective" to "awesome."

When I hire a design firm for a new website, I gather all the technically proficient candidate firms and hire the one with a good track record of out-of-the-box thinking that results in unique, yet effective designs. Basically, I want that well-rounded approach. But if you can only have one, it's best to stick with the technical staff to ensure all critical bases are covered.

I would do that too, it's financially safer to go with better coders than better artists. But if you can find a decent designer with strong artistic merits to manage both the coders, artists and the product, then it's a win-win situation.

[Asher]

FWIW, this thread is exactly why Ben needs to be banned. All he does is disrupt threads out of malice or complete and utter stupidity.

I expect Lori to systematically ban all violators of this thread's integrity. Let's get back to discussing why Frosty can't design a UI.

[SlowwHand]

"it's not gay if God doesn't know" ?

[Asher]

I would do that too, it's financially safer to go with better coders than better artists. But if you can find a decent designer with strong artistic merits to manage both the coders, artists and the product, then it's a win-win situation.

Designers need not come from an artistic background. In my experience, the vast majority of "designers" do not, in fact, come from artistic backgrounds.

In almost all of my projects, artistic people are brought in in a consultant capacity only. Aesthetic input, icon creation..grunt work.

[Ben Kenobi]

Yes, Ben altered the quoted text from the site he posted from within quotes.

You can do that to improve understanding. Say there are spelling errors in the text, you can correct them. If you choose to leave them you apply SIC to them.

Altering BA in Architectural studies to Bachelor of Arts in Architectural studies is no different then expanding an abbreviation in order to improve reader understanding. MOS insists that your first mention of an acronym or abbreviation be spelled out although this is not always followed if your audience is expected to understand it.

[FrostyBoy]

We should have a competition. Your UI vs my UI. We let Apolyton decide.

edit: don't know why I quoted that

[Asher]

We should have a competition. Your UI vs my UI. We let Apolyton decide.

Yes, with all of the friends you have here that should be a terrific idea.

[Ben Kenobi]

Now you're playing the "Not a real Scotsman" game.

You'll have to explain to asher what a scotsman is. It's above his pay grade.

[Asher]

You can do that to improve understanding.

If it's ambiguous and a point of contention, it is disinginious to do it.

Stop squirming, *****.

[Asher]

You'll have to explain to asher what a scotsman is. It's above his pay grade.

I've been to Scotland and I love Scotch. What the **** does this sentence even mean. My ****ing God, Ben. How low can you go.

My family is also originally from Nova Scotia. Do you comprehend the connection there too, douchebag?

[Ben Kenobi]

Are you one of Ben's Christian circle-jerk "it's not gay if God doesn't know" friends?

I won't be the one taking a vacation for this comment.

I've not met the fellow, and I have no idea who he is. You owe him an apology asher for the uncalled for insult.

[FrostyBoy]

Designers need not come from an artistic background. In my experience, the vast majority of "designers" do not, in fact, come from artistic backgrounds.

In almost all of my projects, artistic people are brought in in a consultant capacity only. Aesthetic input, icon creation..grunt work.

The artist/designer I am talking about are not easy to come by, programmer/designers are abundant.

Aesthetic input is a topic that should be taken seriously with all projects involving UI, I wouldn't take that lightly.

Icon creation can be done by anyone, this is not the kind of artist I am discussing.