Style or lack of it?

I offer Habrahabr readers a translation of the “Style vs No Style” note from the Sacha Grief blog.

Recently, I ( ie, the author of the original text - a comment of the translator ) had an interesting exchange of views with Jin Yang (chief designer of StackExchange). It all started with my tweet of my own article "Guide for choosing a designer," where I, in particular, advise:

“... choose a designer whose style is currently best suited to your needs”

I even quoted Jason Cohen:

“I’m not getting tired of repeating: designers will not change their style to yours.” To which Jun Yang replied: "If I hired a designer, I would choose someone who does not have his own style."

So is the “style” really that bad? I'm afraid I'll have to argue with Yang.

What does “style” mean?

Before explaining my opinion, I will sign what I mean by “style”.

For me, this is primarily a visual style. Fonts, colors, shapes, or used icons - all of this is included. This also applies to the thickness of lines, light and reflections, gradients, shadows, etc.
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For example, Metalab is known for high-definition designs with distinctive 1-pixel accents and dynamic colors, as well as a passion for fonts from Hoefles & Frere-Jones .

Another excellent example of a characteristic style is the work of Tim Boelaar . It focuses on clean simple lines of the same thickness, which, however, does not make its graphics less complicated. It instantly recognizes the author ( although this style has now become popular - note. Translator ).



However, the "style" is not limited to purely visual side. Perhaps your style also includes the means of expression themselves, as Dana Tanamachi did when drawing on a chalk board.

What's the point?

And yet, why is style needed? In my understanding, it is also a way of saying that focus on something is needed. It’s not for nothing that “a Swedish, a reaper, and a igrets on a dude” is most often pronounced with irony.

Decide whether you want to have a little of everything or be a true master in certain areas (for example, the second option is closer to me).

The presence of style fully justifies a temporary closure on anything until it comes close to perfection.

It also means that they will subsequently choose you, because they will want to work with you . No longer because you are cheaper, closer or have no orders, but because people will like what you are doing. Own style helps to avoid passive performance.

Hammers and Nails

Or maybe your style is bad for this project? Or is it worse - because of him you are not claimed?

But note, the aforementioned Dana Tanamichi is not invited to develop web applications (as far as I know), and I, in turn, was not seen anywhere else on the blackboard. Is it bad?

In general, do not be afraid of style. They say that when you have a hammer, everything becomes like nails. But we remember that in the tool box there are a lot of all kinds of screwdrivers, pliers and screwdrivers. So keep threshing!