The HN comments have way more substance than the original post. But I'll echo others: it doesn't take a genius to be both. On the other hand, a skill for spotting and studying and applying underlying patterns is a must.
There are just as many patterns and underlying systems in design as codecraft, and vice versa. And they're not that dissimilar.
Design isn't "art" -- it's a type of making things fit for purpose. You can have purely functional design that meets the purpose without soul. You can have purely functional code that meets the purpose without soul.
The best design is crafted with soul. But so is the best code.
As somebody who does both, I speak from experience - they're just not that different. Superficially yes, but not at heart.
There are just as many patterns and underlying systems in design as codecraft, and vice versa. And they're not that dissimilar.
Design isn't "art" -- it's a type of making things fit for purpose. You can have purely functional design that meets the purpose without soul. You can have purely functional code that meets the purpose without soul.
The best design is crafted with soul. But so is the best code.
As somebody who does both, I speak from experience - they're just not that different. Superficially yes, but not at heart.