What comes first? The chicken or the egg? The website or the content? Developing a cohesive content strategy during the web design process can present quite the conundrum.
Designers want content to start work on the design, while many copywriters want a preview of the visuals to develop content. So how do you come to a resolution? With a solid content strategy that involves the whole team.
Keeping up with technology and maintaining your design skills has never been more important. From learning how to make the most of software and tools to learning how to create a watch app, there are plenty of opportunities for any designer, developer or freelancer to take advantage of on the path to success.
And right now Design Shack wants to help you better your skills. Right now, all Design Shack readers can take advantage of a stellar deal – 3 months of Skillshare for just $0.99! You can cram in all the training you want for less than the cost of the sugar in your coffee. Here’s a look at what you can do with Skillshare.
You’ve got a bad client. Make that a really bad client. They weren’t always that way, but things changed. You grew apart. You need to break up. But how do you do it?
You can gracefully end a client relationship. It might not be easy, but if you have thought about cutting ties with someone who contributes to your income, it is likely time to part ways.
Are you a happy designer? You can be. There are a few habits and tricks that all those grinning designers have in common. And you can do it too.
Working in a happy, healthy environment will help you be more efficient and maybe even a better designer as a whole. There’s nothing like dreading a day at the office to kill productivity and creativity. Try some of these ideas and turn that frown upside down!
One of the things people always ask me when they realize I’m a freelancer is “how do you know what to charge?” Honestly, I don’t always have the right answer. As any seasoned freelancer knows, estimated rates can sometimes be a game of chance with some jobs bringing in handsome sums while others end up as a loss. (You hope it all evens out in the end.)
So how do you actually charge clients? How do you know what a job is worth so that you are priced competitively and adequately for the work? That’s where the discussion of hourly versus project rates comes in. Here’s a guide to help you make the choice that is best for your business.
Have you ever wondered how most freelancers charge $250 for a logo design, while some others charge $2,500 for the same job? What’s their secret, really? Well, it’s all about the quality and experience. The better you know about the subject, the more you bring to the table, and the more you can charge.
So, the question is: Do you feel comfortable in the $250 bunch? Or would you be interested in doubling, tripling, or maybe even increasing your income by 10X? Then it’s time you start filling your brain with valuable knowledge.
Most people (especially our grandparents) used to say that you can’t buy knowledge and experience. Of course, that was the case a long time ago. But we live in the digital world. Today you can buy knowledge for a price as low as $0.99 cents. Don’t believe it? Just have a look at the courses below from Skillshare. And for a limited time, you can get three months of access to all these courses for just $0.99
We thought we’d do something a bit different today, and feature a collection of some useful online tools and websites that we’ve recently found ourselves using more and more.
We’ll be looking at a design marketplace, a wire-framing tool, a HTML conversion service, and even a few lighter pieces, including a geeky comic. A broad range of different tools and services, but something for everyone. Hopefully you’ll stumble across something that you find useful in your next week at work!
Even if you aren’t actively looking for a job, your resume is an important piece of your digital portfolio. From sites such as LinkedIn to personal portfolio pages such as Behance that showcase your work, glimpses into your design career are everywhere.
You want to control that message to ensure that you are putting the right vibe out there about who you are, the work you do and why (quite frankly) you are a rock star designer. And while a stellar portfolio is a great way to start that conversation, your resume is equally important. It should highlight some of the skills that aren’t as apparent from looking at a few marquee pieces.
(As a bonus the images in this post are of great designer resumes, and templates, from Behance. Make sure to click the links and visit the designer sites to learn more.)
Everywhere you look, there’s an ad for a different website building tool. These do-it-yourself options can be a quick and easy way to get a website online in no time, but they aren’t for every type of project.
Services such as Weebly, Squarespace and Wix (just to name a few) come with packaged website templates and tools that anyone can use to create a blog, online storefront, portfolio or any other type of website quickly and without having to hire a developer. There’s good reason these tools are growing in popularity, but they are not for everyone. Let’s take a look at some of the pros and cons today!
What does the value for money concept teach? Try this example: You’re in a restaurant, one of your favorite foods is a hamburger, and there are a dozen different hamburgers on the menu. Some cost more than others, but they all sound tasty.
Without giving it a second thought, you select the one that appeals to you the most. It may be the least expensive one on the menu, or the most expensive. It doesn’t matter. Selecting the one you’re in the mood for is what counts. That’s a choice based on value, not price.
As you eat the burger, it turns out to be exactly what you were expecting. If someone else had pointed out a different selection, and sold you on it, that might not have been the case. It’s the same in business. A smart business decision is based on value, and not the price tag.
Every freelancer needs to master and practice the art of negotiation. From clients that want to haggle over process, to talking someone into a specific style of design or interface style for a project, working on your own involves constant negotiation.
Some of us are more adept at negotiating than others. But even if it is not a natural talent for you, there are some ways to beef up your skills so you feel more confident entering these discussions with clients.
Be honest. Have you ever created something that was just bad? Now, have you ever designed something bad on purpose? It’s a strange concept, but one that we’re going to be exploring more today.
Sometimes designing something bad can actually yield a positive result. Not sure about that idea? Read on and you just might change your mind. (Then think about each example of a “bad design” and how you could fix it.)