practicality: (CODE CAT)
practicality ([personal profile] practicality) wrote2012-09-25 05:29 pm
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Web Design/Freelancing

So, this is kind of... seeking mentorship? Advice? Feedback? I'm not even entirely sure what. Basically doing styles work for Dreamwidth has rekindled my enjoyment of doing design work, which kind of got buried under university for a number of years there. And I've been having a hell of a time finding any kind of job, and know already I don't mind working to spec (a few of my DW designs have been like that, actually) or working with other people's code. I also know I'm good at fluid design and CSS.

The problem is that I have no sense of how 'good' my work is. I mean, I've been doing this for over a decade, but most of the old stuff is dreadfully mired in fandom trends popular in the mid-2000s. I'm also not a graphic designer - I will spare you all the second-hand embarassment of my drawing attempts at the moment, but suffice to say original art past simple vector designs are right out. And, well, I also have no idea how to start this.

Help?
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This is Luna, btw

[identity profile] universal-charm.dreamwidth.org 2012-09-26 01:22 am (UTC)(link)
Well, you need to begin by gathering the things that you feel represent your work BEST. Pick about 9-12, that's usually a good number.

Another good thing is to go out and there and look at other people doing the same thing as you. Search for design firms or online portfolios and explore. And just because you can't draw doesn't mean you aren't a graphic designer.

I would start here, and, if you can, find some professionals and request 'portfolio' reviews nicely in an email. Some may not reply, but some might be nice enough to critique and give you help - and honestly, they should. That's part of being in the design community, right?

These are a lot of processes I'm doing right now as I near graduation, so I think they can work for you too. You can also try finding design events in your area and attend them, making connections and such. AIGA is very good for this, if you're part of that, though I know there are other groups out there.

*g*

[identity profile] momijizukamori.dreamwidth.org 2012-09-26 01:32 am (UTC)(link)
Yeah, I have some prospects for networking within the local HTML/CSS/tech startup community once I actually feel vaguely self-assured about putting myself out there. Web design is kind of on the weird boundary between graphic design and web development - I definitely am not versed enough in common programming languages for the latter (DW and LJ use a custom one for templating, joy), but at the same I don't feel like I have the graphic skills for the former. I can manipulate other people's stuff around (see: ten years of fandom layouts) but I feel a lot of times like my creativity just isn't there :\

Re: *g*

[identity profile] universal-charm.dreamwidth.org 2012-09-26 02:45 am (UTC)(link)
Well, there are some very good Design Basics books and design 'workbooks' so to speak out there. Why not try getting a few of them and doing the exercise in there? It might help jumpstart you. Also, take a look around pinterest and some web design sites. They can hold lots of inspiration, and you can try replicating them for practice.

Re: *g*

[identity profile] momijizukamori.dreamwidth.org 2012-09-26 03:27 am (UTC)(link)
I may see about doing that! Probably starting with my friend the Public Library because... unemployed *g*

Replication is almost a no-brainer for me, though - I actually cleanroom-replicated (ie, never looked at the original code) an LJ layout as my first DW layout.

Re: *g*

[identity profile] universal-charm.dreamwidth.org 2012-09-26 03:38 am (UTC)(link)
Well, web design and LJ layout are a bit different, lol. Also, you may want to start looking at responsive design and learning how to do that so you can go cross-platform.
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