That would be like telling a designer that he could just grab a copy of python and start coding. Sure it might work, but it'll be a steaming pile of shit.

Graphic design is hard if you want to do it right.

Said steaming pile should be used as fertilizer for the next iteration.

I wish I could mod you up twice; once because you're right, and once for your exceptional use of the English language.

(I agree with the sentiment. It's better to do some sub-task badly than to not do it at all and give up on your whole project!)

Look, I'm saying if you're tight on money and can't find anyone to do the job there's always the option of doing it yourself. I'm also saying that certain things, in regards to graphic design, can be learned. It might take time and it will be hard, but it can be done. I never said anything about it being done overnight.

I see what you're saying, and maybe I was a bit harsh. And yes, you're right: Of course it's an option to do it yourself if you have the time and not the money, which seems to be the case here. But you'll get a product that reflects your expertise.

It isn't that hard if you approach it right. Start with a white screen and add a small logo at the top that looks OK. Use a font that you like and embellish it a bit with Photoshop. Otherwise, keep yourself to a handful of colors, maybe as few as two or three. Use variants of gray instead of pure black. Follow web conventions.

In most situations a clean design with useful content and functionality beats a pretty design that doesn't work. You can always pretty things UP later.

User interface design is a skill of artistry. It takes a certain talent in order to do that.

Talent helps, but I believe certain things can be learned, including design patterns, which quite a few have expounded on. There are many resources available to learn from.

http://www.alistapart.com/ http://www.smashingmagazine.com/ http://psd.tutsplus.com/

I agree, 'artistic' design is often overrated. Functional (interface) design is not, but it can be done by a programmer.

Just look at Google. There is no graphic design to speak of.

...by design

Not originally. Sergey just wanted it online fast.

Try and run A/B split tests on a merchant site with good and bad design and you'll change your mind.

Google has great design, they just make judicious use of whitespace.

I'm guessing level of skill. I can draw stick figures, but that's a far cry from making pretty pictures.

Inkscape might be a better choice. The tools are dramatically better for incrementally improving a basic idea. The GIMP rules for bitmaps, but vectors are a better tool for the job for a lot of stuff...like icons and such. There's a lot of good SVG artwork out the to look at for inspiration, and even borrowing within the bounds of the license. The Tango icon set is a great source.

I'll also mention that we've only recently gotten serious about design and graphics, and we've been profitable (by some definition) for a couple of years.

I think a lot of people underestimate what they can actually do. You can learn certain techniques, even if you lack natural talent. There are also a boatload of psd tutorials on web.

check out http://psd.tutsplus.com/