Web design Quote by Michael Farmer
““The cultural divides within the advertising industry became wider when web pages became part of the marketing mix, beginning in 1995. Early web pages were like printed catalogs, and traditional advertising agencies knew how to design catalogs – they were just pictures and words in a different medium, right? The rub was that web pages seemed to clients and agencies more like the domain of software folk, like computer programmers, rather than the domain of traditional copywriters and art directors. An automotive company that wanted to put up web pages to help consumers choose car models and features was more likely to go to a group of programmers than to a traditional agency. The web production costs were exceptionally high, too – the hours spent by web designers and programmers far outstripped the creative hours spent on catalogs. Wasn’t the business of web design (and later, web advertising) a separate business? Traditional””
About This Quote
Source Article: Advertising Industry Evolution, 1995–2000, Marketing Journal
The rise of web pages split advertising between traditional creatives and software engineers, creating higher costs and a new specialty separate from classic agency work.
In simple terms: Web design shifted ads from design to programming, raising costs and dividing expertise.
Key Takeaway
Recognize the need for integrated digital‑creative teams.
Themes
advertising
digital media
industry change
cost management
Mood
reflective
strategic
Type
analysis
industry insight
When to use this quote
- agency pitch meetings
- product launch websites
- budget planning
- client education
- team hiring
Key Concepts
cross‑functional collaboration
technology adoption
creative economics
Questions to Reflect On
- How can agencies blend creative and technical skills?
- What incentives encourage cross‑disciplinary collaboration?
A Different Perspective
Traditional agencies may resist tech integration, risking lost market relevance.
