Stefano Mazzocchi has a good write up about programmers and picking up colors. He is right. All the programmers I know, myself included, are awful at designing user interfaces with pleasing colors, fonts and layouts. Most programmers may not realize this – but programmers can’t get away from having these skills.
It is true that software companies hire skillful designers when it comes to user interface design. The designers can not only pick right colors and fonts, but also help improve usability and accessibility. However, there are times when a programmer needs to create an eye-pleasing user interface to sell his/her ideas to others. Given two equally competent programmers, the one with better user interface design skills may have a better shot at convincing that his/her ideas are worth taking serious. Imagine walking into a room full of skeptics ready to bash your ideas, and that first thing they notice on your demo are awful colors!
