Foundations of design
Even the most casual web surfer can see: the web is changing. It’s been evolving since it’s inception. When I started making web pages as a teenager in the 90’s, the web too was in it’s awkward transformative years. Ugly graphics, table-based layouts, limited Javascript and virtually no CSS support. Need to move an element? Add another spacer GIF!
Things changed, and fast… and for good reason. Many common practices we used to do as web designers we’ve come to realize don’t work, annoy visitors, and fill our sites with superfluous code. When I learned how to code my very first page, these things were the norm, and these practices made up the foundation of my learning…
Flash forward 12 years. Now XHTML and CSS are king, and using selectors and style is the only way to design. Why on earth put an attribute in the code every time you want to define font? Use CSS, do it right and only do it once. Why use deprecated tags to control output, when you can do the same in a more extensible way?
The point is, we don’t make web pages like we used to – based on learning from mistakes and overcoming shortfalls of old browser and server technology. My question is: For people who’ve never designed or coded before, people who are starting now; what should their foundation of knowledge consist of?
I ask because I’m in art school now, and despite what some will say about the environment and curriculum found at most art schools, I’ve learned loads. Loads about using Illustrator, photography, and color theory… but when it comes to teaching the fundamentals of web-based programming, it’s like I’ve stepped into a time machine. The basics I learned in the 90’s are still being taught today, and though those techniques do work… on some level… should they still be taught? I’m referring to the use of attributes to control output (like setting background color in the <Body> tag) and the use of unsupported tags like <Font> and <Center>. This is a foundation class, to be teaching the basics which students can build from… but as the web evolves, shouldn’t the designer’s foundation?
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Mocking Bird
Wire framing, or sketching out an idea for a layout, can be crucial when planning a website. It’s fast, simple, and helps you get your ideas out of your head, and where you can see them… however if you’re anything like me, sharing these scribbles isn’t easy. Nor is getting an accurate result from designs based off them…
Well, recently I was sent a link and I fell in love. It’s called Mocking Bird, and it’s a free web-based wire framing site. For being accessible from anywhere in the world, and not using Flash, this web app packs every feature you could want from a standalone piece of software. I found it fairly intuitive, and getting started is a snap.
If you’re a web designer, it’s worth checking out. http://gomockingbird.com/
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Art Institute
It’s been months since my last update. Though this site has been dead, I have been very much alive. In fact started my first quarter at Art Institute of California, Orange County. My first anticipation was that I would be spurred into a creative mood and find plenty of topics to blog here about. So far, however, I’m at a loss.
It isn’t that I’m at a loss for material; I’m a loss for time! Their web design program is no joke…
however…
I would like to proudly introduce the launch of a site I’ve been working on for some time: The Warriors Wall. This is what I’ve been busy designing and piecing together up until I started school. Take a look at the site, or drop me a comment, here. Thanks for stopping by!
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12 Job board sites for designers
Still looking for a new job?
Ok, so a few weeks ago I wrote a post about Krop, a job board for savvy businesses to find top-notch talent. Well, like all good ideas, this one has been done before. So if you’re a designer or web developer, and you’re looking for work, you’ve got options.
Here are 12 of such sites. Designed to get you work:
Programmer Meet Designer
Your Web Job
Interested? Read the rest.
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Get feedback on your freelance work.
The great part of freelancing is that you get to head every project you work on, and you have ultimate control of the finished product.
The down side is that you don’t always have a team. I’m a firm believer that two heads are better than one, and any time you find yourself in a tough spot on a project, another set of eyes is invaluable. Sometimes a different perspective is all you need to break that case of designer’s block.
Now, because what constitutes good design can be subjective, results may vary… I mean, not all advice is good. But if you’re looking for real constructive criticism, check it out.
If you’re a freelancer, and feel like you could use some feedback, head over to Concept Feedback. The premise is simple, post your concepts and let other designers give you feedback. Just keep these 3 tips in mind…
Interested? Read the rest.
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