The hardest thing to develop as a designer is good taste. This book may provide some quick tips to make a typical developer made design less bad, and maybe that's the goal, but good taste takes time.
As developers what would you think of a designer picking up a book that says "Bootstrapping Development"? Would you think that your designer buddy could read through this book in a weekend and not need a developer for his start up?
You make a fair point, but don't we often see threads that designers should learn to code, if only to be better designers? How is the inverse not true?
I'd never say someone new to design could get results equal to those from a professional designer from day 1. Of course not.
Many bootstrappers don't have the option of working with a designer, but they can still do well enough on their own. At least while their businesses grow and until they can hire someone.
You're right about being able to improve your development skills by learning some design. I was a designer first, and I feel like I channel my inner designer a lot coding every day.
I do think this book will be a great tool, and many people will find value in it. I played out in my head biz guy gives developer your book, and saying "We don't need a designer I got you this!" Which you have corrected me on.
Your last statement is spot on, I was a bit off in my original comment.
As developers what would you think of a designer picking up a book that says "Bootstrapping Development"? Would you think that your designer buddy could read through this book in a weekend and not need a developer for his start up?