Exploring the possibilities.

Naming Conventions.  Many designers are horrified by the idea of using specific naming conventions in their stylesheets and content, fearing the day where these conventions allow users to apply their own style to the websites that they view, thus making web design a fruitless industry.  But is this something we should really concern ourselves with?

I think not.

Web Design is here to stay, ladies and gentlemen. When the internet was born in the residential plateau, many feared that this would mean the end to true litterature and art. And yet we find ourselves at the peak of an artistic decade where millions around the world contribute to the daily advancement of digital arts! It is because of the internet that we, the web designers of the world, have found our calling.

Although the application of strict naming conventions for CSS and XHTML does not compare to the birth of the internet as we know it, it does seem as though these naming conventions would deplete the high demands for web designers. If convention were made so that only a programmer was needed, why, where would we as designers apply our talents?

The same way every other artist has when a new field became the norm; we adapt. I'm far from being a prophet or seer, but I can see a direct path for designers should these naming conventions become design-anchors for the user instead fo the designer: Design Templates. Companies will realize that there is no need for a static design, and so they will adapt as well, and call for the enlistment of those web designers who can apply their talents to the creation of templates for users to choose from.

And we all know how much people love to customize and be unique; It's been seen time and again on customizable profiles around the world wide web! And, for the billions of users who have no design or coding knowledge, creating a template will be a difficult thing to do. And that is where we as artists will play our part.

Web Design will simply become Template design, which would essentialy be the same thing. Perhaps with time, Template Design will evolve into something new when conventions are changed and needs are different.

The moral of this post?  Don't be afraid of change. Be flexible.