Web Design Blog & Web Design Resources Blog & News: Web design resources and graphics blog with lists of useful web site design tools, utilities, and articles for web designers. : Web Design Resources Blog & Graphics Blog with Lists of Web Site Design Tools

Web Design & Working From Home: How to Stay Motivated

May 7, 2010 – 12:38 pm

There are a lot of dreamy fantasies that come to mind when you picture the work-from-home life. The dress code is pajamas and there is no nosy cubicle neighbor, and whenever you feel like it, you can just get up and take a walk. All of these things are pretty fantastic, but what happens if working solo stifles your creativity? Here are a few tips to help prevent that scenario.

Maintain Interaction!

Thanks to our ever-evolving digital world, there are plenty of ways to stay in touch with fellow work-from-homers. Just as you may have corresponded with classmates during an online degree program, chat it up with this group of fellow at-homers. Read and respond to a blog, enter a chat room, or start your own social forum for communication with the group. Have a virtual brainstorm with your new multi-media coworkers and don’t hold back!

Become an Honorary Employee!

If you used to work for a firm, and are now working from home, stay in touch with your former colleagues. Not only might they throw business your way, but they can be your sounding board. Just because you don’t work under the same roof doesn’t mean you can’t share ideas and inspirations. Plus, this group understands your trials when you encounter them. So suggest a coffee date, continue to forward funny emails, and attend that BBQ no matter how tired you are. These are valuable relationships to maintain.

Take it Seriously!

While working in your skivvies can be fun and casual, it’s important for your brain that you keep your body active. Get up and prepare for the day just like you would if you were heading to the office. Shower, change, and have a good breakfast. Slinking over to your desk with bed head should be a rare occasion. You feel stronger and more capable if you’re composed and ready for the day!

By admin Posted in Web Design Inspiration, Web Design Jobs, web design education No Comments

Hopping on the App Train

April 19, 2010 – 1:59 pm

Web Design for the iNation

As if you weren’t busy enough, Apple has devised a way to fill your idle time. The “apps” that have largely distinguished the iPad from its Blackberry-type competitors are becoming necessities in our day-to-day lives. Well, the successful ones are. If you are a web designer or graphic designer and want to jump into the app arena, here are a few tips.

Who Will Use it?

Remember that just because you think it’s a great idea, doesn’t mean that everyone will. For your app to be successful, people have to download it, so consider your target audience. Then, consider how to build your app so that even people outside of it might enjoy it. If you can, test it on friends and let them tell you what could make it better.

What Will It Look Like?

Maybe you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover, but it’s perfectly reasonable to judge an app by one. Especially with the iPad, users are going to want something simple to understand and easy to use. As a web designer or graphic designer, make sure that your app is appealing to the eye and easy on the brain.

Can it Be Dynamic?

In short, definitely! As users demand tools that are web-based, dynamic apps are becoming more and more prevalent. Some of the problems include variable connection speeds, but this just takes a little planning. So-called hybrid apps, which draw from web pages, can create awesome visuals to give your users an experience they don’t want to miss. Check out more on dynamic web design tools.

By admin Posted in Graphic Design, Other, Tools & Resources, Uncategorized, Web Design Jobs No Comments

Web Design – Software for the Bloggers

April 12, 2010 – 1:24 pm

The guy beside you on the subway might be one. The woman driving your cab could too. Believe it or not, your third grade teacher could possibly do it too. Everyone with access to a computer and an Internet connection can be a blogger, and for this reason, software for the blogging community is constantly evolving. A web designer should be in the know, so let’s take a gander at some of these technologies.

Windows Live Writer:

Loved by critics and users alike, Windows Live Writer makes blogging even easier. This free application allows you to write your blog via its simple template, and upload your post to virtually any blog site. Although it’s targeted to the Windows user, it also can be used with WordPress, Movable Type, LiveJournal, and other other content management systems. Also, once you’ve typed that riveting post, you can take a look at how it will display before you officially published it. Whether you are a web designer or new to the blog biz, Widows Live Writer is a no muss, no fuss application.

Infinite Sushi ecto 2.3.4:

Funny name, serious benefits. Infinite Sushi ecto 2.3.4 is your blog backup machine. This offline editor downloads to your computer, and ensures that you never lose an entry from your blournal. Unfortunately, it’s not free and you have to take the time to create a layout at your host site first. However, you need no code proficiency to master the application. Infinite Sushi even checks spelling and performs other editing chores. For those who have been to web design school, and for novices, download is a helpful tool.

If the blog is your medium for global conversation, don’t sell yourself short! There are countless ways to enhance your posting experience.

By admin Posted in Blog Tools, Tools & Resources, blog Promotion & Traffic No Comments

Web Design Conference – May 2010

April 1, 2010 – 5:05 pm

Web Design Conference

Happy April! Spring is here, gardens are in bloom, and one of the largest web design conferences in the world is about to take place. If you are currently a web designer or at all involved in the industry, it may very well be worth attending the 2010 Future of Web Design Conference.

Info

Held at The Brewery in the heart of London, the conference begins on May 17 and runs through the 19^th. While the workshops are held at Wallacespace, the event in total is aiming to pack a larger punch than previous years. In just 3 days, 33 sessions and 4 workshops are slated for rookies and veterans alike. The speakers this year promise an entertaining and informative event, and include Elliot Jay Stocks, Brenden Dawes, Dan Rubin, and Dan Cederholm from SimpleBits.

Why Attend?

This is not your average conference; the energy is high and technologies abound. The focus, according to event language, is to provide essential web learning and to revitalize the web design community. Not only is this an opportunity for web designers to learn, but it’s a chance for you to network. Now more than ever, the key to success is getting your name out there, and a conference like this one can introduce you to people, companies, and opportunities you may otherwise have missed. And if these reasons aren’t sufficient, included in your registration is a branded Web Designer’s Took Kit, a $95 value that you can bring home for free.

More details on pricing and registration can be found on the event website.

By admin Posted in Publishing Ads & Monetizing Your Website, Web Design & Layout, Web Design Inspiration, Web Design Jobs, Web Designer Self Promotion, web design education No Comments

Web Design Templates

March 28, 2010 – 3:43 pm

Web Design Templates

If you’re interested in designing your own website but you’re not crazy about starting from scratch, web design templates can be a great alternative. This option provides a virtual buffet of pre-designed templates from which you can choose. Once you have the backdrop determined, you plug in content, and voila! Not only can you find quick and easy website templates, but you can find them for free!

But, before you determine your template, think about the brand you’re trying to build. What should your brand look like? Is it edgy, sophisticated, simple, or modern? In other words, if the website is the new storefront, what kind of store are you running?

If your website is a medium for buying/selling goods, consider what kind of format is the most user-friendly for customers. This site provides images of the product immediately, along with descriptions and pricing. Minimize the click-throughs between a customer visiting your site and buying your product.

On the other hand, your site could be a virtual welcome center for people interested in your company. If that’s the case, your template should be as easy to read and navigate as this site. Visitors should know just what to do to find the information they need. This template showcases the sectors of the company and provides an opportunity to highlight the brand.

Pictures are worth a thousand words, so if your site should tell a story with images, find a template that accommodates your needs. This template invites you into the hotel immediately. Find the room you want with the ambiance you want gazing out onto the view you want!

Before letting your design prowess take charge, strategize. If you don’t understand the look, feel, and intent of your company or blog, no one visiting the site will either.