As you sit at your desk, the refreshing sound of a newly opened soda can fills the air, and a new web designer joins your growing design firm. Despite limited experience, they boast a solid educational background, a commendable portfolio, and exhibit intelligence, approachability, and a clear understanding of design principles during the interview.However, before lunch, you overhear a conversation with your other employee. “I’m not particularly skilled in HTML and CSS,” they whisper. “In school, we were taught to slice Photoshop designs and tweak them in Dreamweaver. It works for me, but if you ask me to delve into the code, I’m not very comfortable with it.” Stifling a chuckle, you return to your office pondering your next move. Should you terminate their employment, seek someone with coding expertise, or rely on your current staff to assist the new designer while you manage the situation from above?This article delves into the ongoing debate regarding the necessity of HTML and CSS knowledge for web designers. We will explore the perspectives of industry professionals and industry leaders as we discuss this topic.Contrary to popular belief, web designers without HTML/CSS skills are not as rare as one might think. In February 2010, author and design expert Elliot Jay Stocks sparked a Twitter controversy by stating, “Honestly, I’m shocked that in 2010 I’m still coming across ‘web designers’ who can’t code their own designs. No excuse.” Stocks’ tweet ignited a heated debate on Twitter, his blog, and beyond.Many industry professionals, including Jeffrey Zeldman, who once said, “Real web designers write code. Always have, always will,” agree that coding is an essential skill for web designers. However, a surprising number of individuals argue that HTML and CSS knowledge is no longer necessary.After offering his own insights on the subject, SitePoint author and blogger Craig Buckler conducted a poll asking, “Should Web Designers Code?” An overwhelming majority of respondents (70%) believed web designers should have a solid understanding of HTML and CSS. Only 25% thought basic knowledge was sufficient, while only 5% believed a skilled designer could create great websites without coding knowledge. Buckler expressed surprise at the significant proportion of respondents who deemed coding skills essential.Many designers, including Jay Fanelli, argue that while it’s commendable to maintain coding skills, it’s no longer necessary. Designer Stan Grabowski emphasized the importance of design knowledge and collaboration with coders over a designer’s proficiency in both. Programmer Spicer Matthews suggested that while web designers should possess some coding skills, they should also have the freedom to choose not to work with code. Mark Boulton, an acclaimed designer, stated that coding is a minor aspect of web design, with implementation being more critical.Despite these arguments, many industry professionals maintain that web designers should be knowledgeable about HTML and CSS. Ian Lang, for instance, suggested that designers who can’t code need to learn how to serve customers effectively. Designer Jason O’Brien echoed this sentiment, stating that pushing out PSDs without consideration for how they’ll be rendered in a browser doesn’t constitute actual web design. Designer Amy Mahon expressed frustration with designs that are impossible to code due to poor practices.Despite the differences in opinions, most industry professionals agree that web designers should have a basic understanding of HTML and CSS. This knowledge is crucial for creating web designs and interfaces that work effectively on the web. While web designers may not need to be experts in coding, they should have a solid grasp of how their design layouts are converted into functional websites.
