In this episode of the Modern Web Podcast, hosts Rob Ocel and Danny Thompson sit down with Pat Clarke, Director of Engineering at Lumen Learning, to explore the evolving state of web development. They discuss everything from the monotony of today’s web design and the rise of cookie-cutter sites to the resurgence of personal websites and the need for creativity in web experiences. Pat shares insights on balancing innovation with business goals, the complexities of front-end development, and why full-stack developers may not always be the solution. Key topics include: - Why the web feels “gray and boring” today - The balance between data-driven design and user experience - The importance of front-end specialization in modern development - How to train developers to be well-rounded while embracing their strengths - Finding the right resources to skill up in a fast-moving industry Follow Pat Clarke on Social Media Twitter: https://x.com/LeftShotDev Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pat-clarke-dev/ Lumen Learning: https://lumenlearning.com/ Sponsored by This Dot: thisdot.co