Some random thoughts
Do you step back from your work often enough?
2.3.2010
Back in my studio classes, my teachers used to preach that we needed to step back from our work often and refresh our look. This was a very important lesson that I’ve been able to keep with me, while others have since evaporated from memory.
I think this idea is not only important in fine arts, but I also see a huge amount of benefit in my web design. During a normal day I spend upwards of 10 to 11 hours in front of a computer working on some sort of design or social media funzie. To some people, I’m sure this sounds ridiculous and a waste of time, but I love it, and it does pay the bills.
Tags: clear, fresh eyes, web design, white space
Posted in Design |
An FPO'ed image with HTML + CSS3
1.29.2010
I know I’ve had many projects that I had to create an extra step in Photoshop to accomplish. Whenever I used to comp a layout and the images either weren’t approved, or even in a remote ballpark of being approved, I used to find an image similar to what I thought the client would want, and then ‘FPO’ it in Photoshop. And seeing as how I’m trying to design in the browser as much as I can, and with CSS3s awesomeness, I thought how could I skip this step in Photoshop.
This was never a hugely time-consuming step, but it was a whee bit annoying. For the record, I’m not sure if other people have done this before, I’m sure someone has, but after a quick search on google, I didn’t see anything.
Are you hip to the shift(ing) business principals
1.20.2010
I am not sure when this started, I’m sure way before I was even paying attention to business, or business principals. Most likely it was way before I cared to know what business was (I sure hope so, I’m not that old). Then again, I’m not sure how much I really pay attention to these even today. But what I do know is every business that I choose to follow, read, interact and involve myself with, the following four principals can be found within most of them: great content, transparency, active listening, and a focus on the consumer.
I’m not sure I’m actively seeking these ideals, I think it naturally just happens. Perhaps when I got deeply interested in the marketing and business aspects of web design and development I really took note of this. Some of my favorite follows on twitter happen to be plain ol’ businesses. Before twitter, and social media itself took hold of us (and changed us), the thought of caring what a business had to say was laughable. Unless I was really a sucker for being told what I needed to buy and why, I can’t imagine even taking much note of any.
Tags: business principals, web
Posted in marketing |
How I like to keep client ideas fresh.
1.12.2010
I strive to have a at least one client project per month, but I still have my day-time job. So I am usually working on very different kinds of creative–for work it’s much more conservative, and freelance is usually where I can let my hair down (Note I have semi-short hair, so this doesn’t produce much of an effect). However, I find this is a nice combination of work, as I am able to wear many different hats at the same time, and push the limits with what I am willing to try for each project.
I am one of those designers who as soon I get the okay on the go-ahead, I am into it full speed ahead. I even declined a New Years party as I was too engrossed in a current project, and also I just didn’t feel like boozing. I’ve found I’ve always been like this, sometimes to a fault. With the decent amount of work I’ve had over the last year or so, I’ve learned a lot about just jumping in head first without knowing which way was up really. But I’ve never been one to be short on new, exciting ideas I can bring to any project. Ultimately most of these ideas never make it anywhere outside my head, but they’re at least there competing for a spot outside.
Tags: #p52, Design, fresh ideas
Posted in Design |
Why I'm all about Project52.
1.5.2010
Before I begin, let me state that I’m sure no one really cares why I’m doing this. However, I hope I’m wrong and that someone actually enjoys this and cares that I make it thru all 52 weeks.
I found this resolution / challenge the other day while perusing twitter, and saw someone retweet something about it. So I checked out the website. It seemed like an easy enough thing to do: post a new article every week for 52 weeks. I don’t often go for resolutions, as I’ve failed enough and am drowned by advertising reminding me to not do so. But this seemed like something that is really going to benefit me, and hopefully benefit others by reading about either my experience, or someone else taking the challenge.
As stated on the website, it’s time to get people writing again. I also hope that this goes viral, and it’s not just taken on by bloggers and freelancers. I’d really love for companies and their employees as a whole to answer this challenge.
Do you know what your website says about you?
12.29.2009
The holidays are a busy, stressful, and most often, quasi-fun time. Too much money is spent on things we don’t really need, but giving that one gift that someone really wanted seems to make it all worth it. Parents and children alike get together and decorate their houses, both inside and out. I noticed, in our neighborhood at least, that the way you decorate shows off a good deal about you as a person / family.
- Those that decorate ornately for every holiday most likely have children in the home, and just love the idea of the seasons. They want all to know they’re holly and jolly, and wouldn’t mind if you felt the same.
- Those that decorate a moderate amount, a few lights outside and a few inside. Along with a tree, they don’t go overboard, but just enough to give the holiday feel. This is where my wife and I fit in. These people most likely do enjoy the seasons, but don’t feel it necessary to light the holiday sky.
- And there are those that just don’t decorate. These may be people of other faiths, college kids who just don’t care (I was once like this). Or maybe they just did not get around to it this time.
The point is, I’m probably wrong about all these generalizations I made. From the outside, we never really know what those inside are thinking and why they do or don’t do something. The same can be said for a website. In this day and age, this is often your first salesman a prospect meets. Is yours sending the right message that you want it to?
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