So often, we tend to focus on the software side of things. That makes sense, as the right apps can help us produce stunning designs, layouts and special effects.

But hardware doesn’t seem to be the hot topic it once was. That’s a shame, because the components we choose are real difference-makers. Use the wrong setup and you can go out for a cup of coffee while your After Effects project renders. The right one may not even allow you a full sip before completing the task.

Today, we’re going to show a little love to the gadgets that make our design businesses go. We’re not going to go into specific model numbers, as these things change faster than a client changes their mind. Instead, we’ll focus on some general guidelines on how to make the best choices to suit your needs.

Consider the Form Factor for Work On-The-Go

We all see people working from far-flung locations with laptops and even the occasional tablet. Those devices offer the convenience of portability. But how appropriate are they for design and code?

Tablet Devices

It seems like a lot of software vendors see vast potential in tablets. Apps such as Photoshop have been made available with the added bonus of enabling users to draw with a stylus. Then there’s Procreate, a design app built specifically for the iPad.

That being said, tablets often lack the processing power required to do intense graphical work. That’s not to say you can’t create some amazing art – just don’t expect apps to perform as well as they do on a more traditional machine. Then too, the apps themselves may not have all of the bells and whistles that you’d find on a laptop or desktop computer.

Meanwhile, coding on a tablet might be possible, but it’s unlikely to be an efficient way to do so. If you do attempt this feat, an external keyboard is a must-have accessory.

If you need extra horsepower, there are some high-end options worth considering. But, in general, a tablet probably works best as a secondary device for creative professionals.

What to look for: Choose a tablet that has a comfortable screen size, lots of internal storage and the ability to add more via a memory card. Also, verify that it’s capable of running the latest version of its mobile OS.

Laptop Computers

These days, laptops can be had at virtually every price point. But you get what you pay for.

The lower end of the spectrum may stick you with an outdated processor and rudimentary graphics. Plus, internal storage tends to be incredibly light. So, going this route would probably mean working in the cloud.

This doesn’t mean, however, that you have to spend thousands of dollars for good performance. Unless you really want the status that goes with top-notch industrial design (ahem, Apple) or enough power for a desktop replacement, a solid midrange model will do.

A middle-of-the-road processor from AMD or Intel should be enough to run most applications reasonably well. As for multicore options, the more cores you can afford – the better. But aim for at least four cores if you plan on doing even mildly intense graphic or coding work.

Mobile graphics tend to pale in comparison to their desktop counterparts, except at the very top end of the pricing spectrum. Still, it’s important to have a graphics chip or discrete card that provides 2D and 3D acceleration.

Portability and battery life are also key considerations. If you’re working on the road, you will probably want to avoid something that’s too heavy or can’t hold a charge for more than a handful of hours.

What to look for: Aim for a laptop that has enough processor and graphics muscle to run your preferred apps. Ideally, you’ll have enough solid-state storage to allow for fast boot times and the ability to install all of your necessary software. RAM is also important – especially if you’re multi-tasking. Go for at least 16GB.

Build a Better Workstation

Desktop devices are still the top choice for creative professionals working at home or in an office. While you lose portability, you gain tons of computing power. Not to mention the opportunity to rock a gigantic display and loads of storage.

Among the top considerations for your workstation:

Form Factor

Desktop devices usually fall into one of two form factors: All-in-one (AIO) or the more traditional mid or full-tower. Whichever you choose, the ability to perform future upgrades is vital.

Smaller devices may not allow you to, say, add an additional internal drive or swap out the graphics card for something bigger. At the very least, you should have easy access to exchange or expand RAM and any internal drives.

Needs inevitably change. So, think about the future before deciding on a workstation setup.

Display

How big is too big? The rule of thumb here is ensuring that you have enough space for your applications to fit comfortably on your screen. At the same time, you shouldn’t have to strain your eyes to read text at a comfortable distance or have to crane your neck.

With today’s creative applications requiring a lot of screen real estate for settings panels, etc., a size of at least 24-27 inches is ideal. Anything smaller than that could be a little too cramped. If you have the means to go bigger – go for it.

When it comes to resolution, 1080p (full HD) is the absolute minimum these days. 4k monitors are becoming more popular. However, the pixel density can be difficult to deal with at smaller screen sizes. And you’ll also need a solid graphics card to feed it high-quality video.

Other considerations are refresh rates and response time (not terribly important unless you’re working with a lot of fast-moving images), connectivity (HDMI or DisplayPort) and an adjustable stand. There are plenty of other goodies to be had, but the basics are of most importance.

Graphics Card

Speaking of graphics, this is an area where you don’t want to skimp. Professional-grade apps are relying more on graphics cards than ever. Look for a card that will work with your favorite apps and provide acceleration. Photoshop, for example, publishes some GPU guidelines that are worth a look before you buy.

While onboard graphics are indeed getting better, they still don’t hold a candle when compared to discrete cards. Therefore, it’s often worth the investment in a mid-to-high range card.

Processor

Many of the preferred apps that graphic and web designers utilize are multi-threaded. Having a processor that is optimized for these sorts of tasks is a must. Thankfully, most recent models from AMD and Intel have this capability.

This especially comes into play when doing intensive work like editing large media files or compiling code. The more threads your processor can handle, the quicker things get done (to a point).

Avoid the bargain bin if at all possible, as spending just a bit more can really improve performance. It may also be wise to avoid the very top-of-the-line options, as it is unlikely to be worth the cost. Instead, opt for a processor that occupies the sweet spot in the middle.

Storage

Sure, it’s quite common to store your files in the cloud, but it’s not always ideal for home-based freelancers. Internal storage is still vital to system performance and convenience. Plus, this is an area where you can get a lot of bang for your buck.

For faster boot times and the ability to quickly launch your apps, a solid-state (SSD) drive with at least 1TB of capacity is recommended. Anything less and you might find yourself in a crunch for free space later on.

For local file storage, old-school mechanical drives are still a good choice. Buy a terabyte or two more capacity than you think you’ll need. This should serve you well both now and a few years from now.

Memory

RAM plays a critical role for designers. It’s what allows us to have 20 tabs open in our browser – in addition to all of our resource-hogging creative apps.

Having too little will hinder your ability to multitask. Therefore, it’s important to stock your system with enough to handle your daily workload (and then some).

As with laptops, your workstation should have at least 16GB of memory. Doubling up to 32GB is even better for those who want even snappier performance.

Final Thoughts

The hardware needs of designers aren’t the same as the same as that of the typical consumer. When it comes to laptop and desktop devices, most off-the-shelf systems aren’t going to get it done.

Instead, each major component should be carefully considered. After all, they do have an impact on our daily work.

The good news is that, in most cases, you don’t have to blow out your budget. Solid performance and future upgradability can usually be found for a reasonable price.

The key is in not splurging on high-end components the moment they hit the market. Instead, look for midrange options or maybe let that expensive part age for a few months before making your move. The price will likely have been slashed over that time.

And, if you’re not sure where to start, look at reviews from a variety of sources. That will give you a better idea of what to expect when it comes to both cost and performance.

Happy shopping!

The post How to Choose Hardware for Your Design Business appeared first on Speckyboy Design Magazine.

But what about the projects themselves? When you have multiple clients to please, finding balance can seem impossible. And perhaps it’s not even necessary.

Truth be told, each web design project is a unique entity. And while it’s wise to be diligent in your efforts, not every task carries the same level of importance. That’s why the ability to prioritize your work is so valuable.

This is a skill I’ve struggled with over the past couple of decades. Life’s a journey, as they say.

But even if we don’t always get it right, there are some things to keep in mind when it comes to prioritization. Let’s take a look at a few key factors that can help.

Create a Schedule and Stay Flexible

If you ask a client when they would like their project to be completed, the odds are that they’ll say “as soon as possible.” That’s neither a surprise nor a negative – it’s just the way of our world.

Therefore, it’s often up to us to set a schedule. The trouble is that it’s easy to focus on the client’s timeline without considering yours. This can lead to a mad rush to get several projects done within a small window of time.

Before you agree to a specific launch date, take a moment and think about the other tasks on your to-do list. That includes projects that are currently on hold, as they tend to be particularly troublesome.

The idea is to take a broad view of your schedule and then provide a timeline. In my experience, I’ve found that a conservative estimate works best. Why? Because there are so many factors that we can’t control.

And that brings us to flexibility. It’s important to realize that schedules are subject to change. Unexpected things arise and nothing is set in stone. Thus, be prepared to adjust as needed.

Consider the Client’s Place in Your Portfolio

Every client deserves to be treated fairly and respectfully. But they don’t all require the same priority level in your project queue.

As an example, consider two fictional clients: Client A and Client B (creative names, I know!):

• Let’s say that you’re working on a website redesign for Client A, who was 20% of your total revenue last year.
• Client B is new and has hired you to create a one-page site. It’s a small project but perhaps could lead to something bigger if their company grows.

Since Client A is a major source of revenue, it makes sense that their project takes precedence over Client B’s. Yet, even if you can rationalize this in your head, it’s not always easy to put into practice.

Sometimes those smaller projects take up a disproportionate amount of time. It might be because the client keeps asking for revisions, or you’re just trying to please them. Regardless, the result is that it takes your attention away from projects that are more important to your bottom line.

This doesn’t mean you should ignore the smaller client. It’s just a reminder to look at the bigger picture when deciding how to allocate your precious time.

Manage Client Expectations

Remember when I mentioned flexibility? It seems like that skill is tested daily. And it’s necessary for keeping your priorities straight.

For many of us, prioritizing work is more than dealing with longer-term projects. Those day-to-day client requests also play a role.

That can take the form of a minor content update. Or it may be a completely unexpected large task that gets dropped into your lap. They have the power to throw a monkey-wrench in your carefully-crafted schedule.

Once again, it’s about taking a step back and figuring out how everything fits together. True emergencies (a broken website, an organizational crisis, etc.) can take the lead. But other items may have to wait their turn.

This can be difficult for clients to understand. They sent you an email full of instructions and want it done right away. Perhaps they gave it a lot of thought on their end. But if it was so important, shouldn’t they have provided you with more lead time?

Communication is key in this situation. You can’t be expected to drop everything you’re doing on a whim – and clients need to realize that. Be proactive in setting guidelines so that your clients know how you work.

Prioritization Helps You Get Things Done

Learning to prioritize your projects takes time – and a lot of practice. And there will likely be days when things don’t turn out the way you planned. I want to think that this is a natural part of running a business.

But by adding prioritization to your workflow, you’ll have a better handle on your to-do list. It can do wonders in terms of your stress level. That, in turn, leads to getting things done more efficiently.

You’ll gain both a clear head and the satisfaction that comes with completing your projects. If that sounds good, consider making it a priority.

The post How to Prioritize Your Web Design Work appeared first on Speckyboy Design Magazine.

To many designers, this is the kiss of death, but I’m here today to tell you that it doesn’t have to be. We’re going to explore some unusual but very effective ways to get those creative juices flowing again so that you can get back in the flow of things and continue to wow your clients.

Creativity in Routine?

Here’s a fact about the human brain that you may not know: every single decision you make throughout your day will have a negative effect on your ability to successfully complete a task. That’s right – whether it’s choosing which color to make that dropdown menu, or whether you should wear that green shirt or the blue one, every time you’re forced to make a decision, you lose just a bit more mental energy.

This is why you may find yourself burnt out by lunchtime if you begin your day by answering emails or answering silly questions from dense clients. Those small decisions have used up a huge amount of your energy for the day. Sure, you can recover some of it by eating a nutritious lunch or having a quick nap, but you won’t be quite as productive after noon as you were before.

Adopting systems and routines that automate a lot of your daily decisions can help tremendously in recovering some of that creativity you thought was lost forever.

Consider taking a full day to plan the little things you know you will have to do for the week, even down to what color shirt you’ll wear. Try to batch your email responses if you can – it’s not a crime to cut and paste responses if they’re relevant and get the point across.

The more things you can automate, the more you can turn your focus to the work that truly matters.

Getting a Jolt of Energy

Starting a new project can be very intimidating. And yes, I’m about to use yet another of my famous food analogies, so get ready.

Have you ever been to a restaurant, and the waiter hands you a menu that’s absolutely terrifying? I don’t mean it has teeth or it growls at you or anything like that. I mean, there are so many items on the menu, and the descriptions are so lengthy that you almost lose your appetite and want to run back out the front door?

Too much choice can do more than confuse us – it can just about ruin our experience and make us want to hide while we try to process everything in front of us.

For me, it seems like the more freedom I have with a design project, the scarier, more confusing, and more impossible it becomes to get started.

Of course, freedom in my design work is something I’ve strived very hard to achieve, and I’m very fortunate to have it. But sometimes, with a big, hairy project deadline looming over my head, I almost wish I was a student again, with rigid assignments and a limited scope as to what I could work on.

What’s the solution to this problem? I’ve found that doing something spontaneous to get my blood pumping and my creative energy flowing helps tremendously. Exercise is the most obvious choice here, and I don’t need to tell you how many ills it can help cure besides creative block.

However, there are other options, such as spending quality time with friends or loved ones, working on something else, like a personal project, or, my personal favorite, cooking.

Calm Those Jitters

Sometimes, your problem isn’t that you’re frightened into submission by your project. Rather, you’re inundated with too much energy, which can manifest as nervous fidgeting, hair-pulling, or procrastinating by doing meaningless busy work.

This can be just as maddening because you’re not exactly sure where to begin, and you know you should be doing something productive, but you just can’t figure out what.

You may not realize it, but your brain is like clay. Whatever approach you decide to take for your work will leave an impression on your brain for next time. So, if you react to a challenging project with stress, nerves, or excessive anxiety, you’re saving a copy of that reaction in your brain’s hard drive, which will automatically pull up every time you’re faced with a similar dilemma.

In this case, you need a solution that will burn off or diminish some of that excess energy. A calming activity, such as meditation, walking, journaling, or reading, will help soothe your brain and help it focus on the task at hand.

The post How to Get Those Creative Juices Flowing Again appeared first on Speckyboy Design Magazine.

Nowhere is that more visible than on your own website. While we love to talk about crafting a killer portfolio and all the great projects we’ll feature, it’s almost never that simple. I should know, as I’ve been struggling with it for some time now.

My own redesign process has been ongoing for nearly two years (I know!) – and it feels like it may just drag on forever. But my guess is that I’m not alone. When viewing the virtual homes of other freelance designers, I often see stale blogs, dated designs and other signs of neglect.

As such, I thought it might be worthwhile to dive in and examine just why I’m struggling and maybe find a solution. Sure, this is the time I could be spending on my own site. But that’s only helping myself. Perhaps by putting this out into the world, someone else may find inspiration for building their own shiny new website. At least, that’s what I’m going with.

Personal Project Time Is Hard to Find

It used to be that, every so often, I’d run into a period where client work was minimal at best. For instance, the dead of summer and times surrounding the winter holidays were always slow. These were prime opportunities for brainstorming and tackling personal projects.

But in the last few years, it seems that the slowdowns aren’t nearly as frequent and are much shorter than before. This has led to a lot less time to think of anything outside of my normal workload.

It’s a good problem to have (better to have too little time than too much). Yet, it also takes time away from the creative experimentation that comes from building something for yourself. Quite often, my own site has served as a playground for new ideas that I hadn’t implemented into client projects yet.

Because time has become so limited, that means working on the redesign outside of normal business hours. Yet after parenting, husbanding and all the things that need to be done around the house, the motivation just isn’t there.

Perhaps that lack of motivation is a tell-tale sign that the situation also lacks urgency. A busy schedule, combined with the existence of an older, yet still functional, website may mean that a redesign isn’t the biggest thing on my to-do list right now.

The Great Content Debate

While a new design is always nice, I’ve found the decision of whether or not to keep my existing content to be difficult. The question comes down to what provides the most benefit.

On one hand, the content I have has served me well. Maybe it’s a little too wordy in spots (that’s my style), but overall, I haven’t found it severely lacking. The lone exception may be my blog, which just hasn’t seen many new additions for a while.

But on the other hand, part of me feels like leaving the existing content in place is sort of like doing only half the job. For a completely fresh start, it seems that both the look and content should be refreshed.

There is a valid argument to be had either way. Ultimately, I think the best path for my particular situation is to simply make tweaks where I think they’ll help. For instance, making content more concise and easier to follow. Perhaps adding a few more visual aids as well.

My advice for those stuck in a similar debate is to take stock of what you currently have and see if it still reflects who you are. If so, maybe some minor changes will do. Otherwise, it could be time to go back to the drawing board.

Why It’s Important (And Why It’s Not)

Having a beautiful, functional website is a key component in branding your business. It’s what we recommend to our clients, and it also applies to designers as well. You want to show your talent and professionalism, along with your grasp of the latest technologies.

For some potential clients, seeing your portfolio site could be a deciding factor in whether or not they reach out and contact you. In short, this is both a vital and expected part of your business.

However, once you have established yourself in the market, it’s worth wondering how often your website needs a refresh. At this point, maybe smaller, more iterative change is what’s called for.

Being old school as I am, I long followed the unwritten rule of a full redesign every couple of years. While that’s still necessary in some situations, it’s also not a must-do anymore, either. Unless your site is a complete design disaster or is suffering from some other major flaw, there’s nothing wrong with making a slow and steady improvement to what you already have.

So, besides my time and content concerns, this may be another reason I just don’t feel the burning desire to get something new up in short order.

It’ll Get Done…Eventually

Part of running a freelance design business is making sure that your clients are well taken care of. Sometimes that means putting your own stuff on the back burner. And while a younger version of myself might have been frustrated by that, now it doesn’t seem like a bad bargain.

And so, while I feel some level of guilt about the amount of time I’ve taken in redesigning my own website, I also recognize that it’s far from an emergency.

Therefore, I’ll continue to work on things when I get inspired to do so. Most certainly, I’ll go back to the drawing board a few more times. But when the time is right, I believe it will all have been worth the wait.

The post Common Challenges in Website Redesign and How to Overcome Them appeared first on Speckyboy Design Magazine.

During busy times, it can feel like you have to be everywhere at once. Not only is it stressful, but it can also take focus away from your projects (you know, the stuff you like to do). With that, the results may not be up to your usual standard.

The first step in improving the situation is in recognizing the problem. While all of these responsibilities come with the territory, that doesn’t mean you have to accept the struggle.

Finding relief sometimes means relinquishing control. The realization that, no, you don’t have to do everything by yourself, can be liberating.

While everyone has different strengths, there are a variety of tasks that you may want to pass along to someone else. Today, we’ll look at a few of the most common ones to remove from your already-full plate.

Aspects of a Project That You Can’t Do Efficiently

Web design projects tend to be multifaceted. There’s the look and layout, to go along with a site’s functionality. Beyond that, you might be looking at complementary pieces such as SEO and performance optimization.

Chances are, there might be one or more areas of a project that don’t play to your strengths. For example, you might be a whiz at CSS but struggle with building certain functionality from scratch.

Or, there could be loads of “busy” work, such as entering content into a CMS. Perhaps it’s not difficult, but it further stresses your tight schedule.

These are prime opportunities to outsource some tasks to another web professional in your network. If they can do it more efficiently and cost-effectively, it makes sense to pass the work along to them. This allows you to focus on what you do best and produce the ideal outcome.

However, this is something you’ll want to plan for ahead of time. That way, you can adjust for any additional costs that come with bringing someone else into the fold.

Taxes and Related Financial Duties

Tax laws around the world vary quite a bit. But their one common feature is in how complex they are. This is especially the case for solo freelancers or other small business arrangements. They’re often a category that is underserved in terms of clear policy.

Thus, it’s easy to get mired in a tangle of arcane rules and nonsensical paperwork. And, even if you understand the basics, there are a lot of little details that could make a huge difference in the outcome. Miss one of them and it could cost you money (or worse).

Why continue waste to your time? Tax professionals and financial advisors are there to navigate these turbulent waters for you. A good one will provide you with helpful information and file your taxes to the letter of the law.

If you aren’t keen on recordkeeping, they might even handle it for you. Alternatively, they can set you up with software that makes the task easier.

For many of us, finance is an area that is far outside of our expertise. When that’s the case, it’s better to delegate the responsibility to someone more qualified.

Things That Can Be Effectively Automated

Now, about the term “outsource”. It has traditionally meant hiring one or more humans to do a job. But in web design, we’re not limited to just human help these days.

There are a lot of tasks that can be partially, if not fully, automated. Things like browser, device, and performance testing come to mind. Software updates might also be run on an automated schedule.

When done manually, each of these items can potentially eat up a lot of your precious time. The ability to automate them can result in significant savings.

Automation is usually taken care of via a third-party service provider. You pay a fee in exchange for getting a piece of your life back. However, you may find some free, open-source scripts that offer this functionality as well.

Either way, these tools do a lot of the grunt work for you. From there, you can view the results and deal with any issues as needed.

Save Your Time and Your Sanity

Every freelancer is faced with tasks that make running a business more difficult. They might be far outside of our expertise or merely busywork. Regardless, they take our focus off of more important things.

While the items above are common examples, they are by no means a complete list. Since many of us have a specific niche, some tasks will prove to be more of an obstacle than others.

For instance, you may be terrific at logo design and welcome the challenge. Others may want to run away from their computer screaming. In that case, being able to pass that work along to someone else can be a great solution.

But before you go ahead and start outsourcing tasks, do a little thinking. Which ones will save you time and make for a more efficient workflow? Just as important, consider tasks that cause you an undue amount of stress. Outsourcing can benefit your mental health, as well.

There is so much work that goes into being a freelance web designer. Thankfully, you don’t have to do it all on your own.

The post The Tasks Freelance Web Designers Should Consider Outsourcing appeared first on Speckyboy Design Magazine.

Only sometimes it doesn’t feel that way. For those of us who don’t come from a business background, there is a tendency to become a bit too casual. And working from home only encourages this behavior.

This can be beneficial in that it allows us to build the type of atmosphere where creativity can blossom. But on the downside, a casual approach could mean that we’re leaving a significant amount of money on the table. Even worse is that it may not even occur to us that we’re doing so.

In that spirit, let’s look at some common situations where we are essentially giving our time away. To be clear, this is not to advocate for charging good clients for every little thing. Rather, it’s more about raising awareness and ensuring that we’re not being taken advantage of. Now, let’s get to it!

Technical Support

Once you hand off a website to your client, it’s only a matter of time before they run into an issue or have a question. That’s to be expected. And, if you haven’t already sold them on a support package, it can also turn into a revenue-draining black hole.

While it hardly seems fair to charge for something as simple as a five- or ten-minute email exchange, these incidents do start to add up. What’s worse is that it only takes one technically-challenged or scope-expanding client to unintentionally eat up your time. This is time that you could otherwise use to, you know, make money.

There’s nothing wrong with giving away the occasional freebie. It’s a small gesture that can keep your client relationships strong. But it’s still important to set limits.

Make clients aware of your policies from the very beginning. Let them know any thresholds you’ve put into place. This will allow you to both be a web superhero and avoid taking a loss on support.

Acting as a Researcher/Liaison

So much of our job these days involves working with third-party software and service providers. Plugin developers, web hosts, APIs, and code libraries make up significant portions of a project.

But we don’t often think about the amount of time spent researching these various items. That can include anything from searching the web, and comparing options to chatting with sales or support representatives. And when something goes wrong, we are often the ones who deal with it on behalf of our clients.

While a project is in the development phase, you might consider this as just a part of your standard fees – fair enough. But the role of liaison doesn’t end once the site launches.

Indeed, there can be a great deal of time (and stress) associated with relaying communications between an outside service and your client. The ensuing back-and-forth shouldn’t be forgotten when it comes to billing.

Giving Advice

Because web designers are technically-skilled, we often get asked for help and advice regarding all sorts of subjects. And they’re not always related to web design.

People get in touch to ask (in no particular order): How to use their iPhone, what their email password is, how to get their email on their iPhone, how to open a specific type of file, will the new iPhone be worth it and… you get the idea.

Again, there is a fine line. You don’t want to be rude. But you also don’t want to go on endlessly answering questions unrelated to your job. It may be the last thing you want to do, especially when you’re busy with more pressing matters.

On the other hand, it might not be wise to charge for these types of questions. The idea could backfire and result in more questions from a particular client.

Perhaps the best solution is to simply leave these questions hanging until you have some extra time to deal with them.

Writing Proposals

Some web professionals charge for writing proposals. This can be a smart way to attract potential clients who are both serious and willing to pay for quality. Still, the practice seems to be the exception more than the rule.

Proposals can be significant work and do take up precious time, no doubt. But the hope is that it pays off in the form of a shiny new project to work on.

But then there are prospective or existing clients who ask for multiple quotes. They are often “serial” entrepreneurs with lots of big ideas or fanciful dreams. In either case, there is a large time investment on your part that could all be for nothing.

This leads to a serious business decision. If you find that you’re losing lots of time due to writing proposals, maybe a new strategy needs to be put in place. Or, it might be that a couple of the worst offenders need to be put in their place.

Keep Track of Your Time and Charge as Needed

As the old saying goes, time is money. And while money certainly isn’t the only thing that matters, the situations above could be getting in your way.

That’s why it’s important to track how much time you spend performing these tasks for free. Keep a tally of what you do, who you’re doing it for and the amount of time spent. You might be surprised at how much you’re giving away.

In response, it might be worth considering putting policies in place that protect you from overreaching clients – not to mention your own goodwill. Doing so can help to ensure that you’re being fairly compensated for your efforts.

The post The Many Ways Web Designers Give Away Their Time (Without Realizing It) appeared first on Speckyboy Design Magazine.

The truth is that scheduling design projects is not like serving customers in line at the grocery store. Designers can’t simply take care of one client at a time exclusively. Instead, it’s more like an ice cream truck that is overwhelmed by hungry kids on a summer day. In other words: It can be complete chaos.

So how do you control the crowd? How do you deal with projects that unexpectedly run long and overlap others? Let’s try and make some sense of this mess!

Websites Aren’t Cars

The first thing freelance designers need to realize is that building a website isn’t like building a car or any other mass-produced product. Automobiles benefit from an assembly line of workers and robots that carry out specific tasks. Therefore, a company can know exactly how long it takes to build each car.

Websites, on the other hand, aren’t so cut-and-dry. Besides the fact that most of us don’t have an assembly line on our side, each website we build is at least somewhat unique. Sure, things like themes, plugins and frameworks can help to speed up the process. But a website is still a one-off kind of product.

This means that projects are inevitably going to run longer than we expect. Sometimes it’s because of a bug we can’t seem to squash or a client that keeps changing their mind. It can also be that the client is slow in getting us the resources we need to finish things off. When you think about it, there are a number of things that can cause a project to drag on. It’s actually amazing that we get anything done at all.

Knowing this helps us come to terms with the fact that web design is a fluid process that can change at any moment. So we shouldn’t be too surprised when a project runs long or that we all-of-the-sudden hear from that client who’s in a hurry.

There are certain things we can’t control. That means we have to accept some level of flexibility in our schedules.

It’s About Expectations

Now that we understand the predictably unpredictable ways of freelance life, we can have a better grip on how we do things. We can build in some extra wiggle-room when scheduling projects – preparing for the worst-case scenario.

But that’s only half the battle. Clients are thinking about their own challenges and may not have much of an idea about the ones you’re facing. All they know is that they need their website as soon as possible.

That’s why it’s important to set the level of client expectations from the very beginning of the process. We need an open and honest line of communication about what we can and can’t do, along with a realistic timeline for getting it done. It’s also worth noting that any delay on their part can throw a major monkey wrench in your schedule, as well. Working together is a two-way street, after all.

This discussion can be difficult, as we want to make sure that everyone’s happy and well taken care of. You never want to disappoint a client. From my own experience, I’ve tended to stress myself out over having multiple projects that seem to collide simultaneously. But things are far better when I can get a little breathing room regarding deadlines. The only way to achieve this is through communication.

Then there’s also the risk of missing out on a potential project because we can’t reasonably meet someone’s desired timeline. Not everyone will be empathic of your schedule, but that’s okay. Offer as much flexibility as you can. If a client can’t accept your terms, then maybe moving on is for the best. Still, you’ll find that most people really are understanding and are willing to work with you.

In the end, all you can do is provide an honest assessment of your schedule. More times than not, that should help to quell some of the chaos.

Write it in Pencil

I admit that I’m the type of person who hates unexpected changes to a schedule. When things don’t go the way I’ve anticipated, it’s incredibly frustrating.

Unfortunately, that’s the way the world works – whether any of us like it or not. No matter where we work or who we work with, things are always subject to change. So it’s best to take this into account when scheduling projects.

So, rather than have a dyed-in-the-wool schedule mapped out, it might be best to write it down in pencil (or erasable marker). Anticipate that not everything will go exactly as planned and that there will always be issues that pop up unexpectedly.

The bright side of it all is that, even though we can’t bring absolute certainty to our schedules, there are things we can do to alleviate the worst stressors. Have policies in place and make sure that clients are aware of them.

The other key element is to understand that running a web design business is different than your typical 9-5 job. That will help you cope when your plans inevitably turn to dust.

The post How to Manage the Craziness of a Web Designer’s Schedule appeared first on Speckyboy Design Magazine.

For instance, it can serve as a placeholder during site development – you know, while you wait for the “real” stuff to arrive. This helps you continue to move forward on a project that could otherwise be stalled.

Likewise, demo content can live up to its name by helping you demonstrate various processes. Things like training videos or documentation can use bits and pieces to show users how a certain feature works.

Overall, it’s something that can be quite handy to have around. And there are several resources out there to fill your specific needs. Below is a selection of some of the coolest demo content generators on the web. Enjoy!

Web-Based Text Generators

Using generated text is a great way to test out the fit and finish of your design work. For instance, you can see how a template handles exceptionally long passages or even analyze how readable your typography is. This provides you with the information you need to make smart design decisions.

Professional Lorem Ipsum Generator for Typographers

There are a ton of lorem ipsum generators out there. But what makes this one a standout is the number of really useful options it offers. Sure, you can configure the number of words or paragraphs you need – that’s fairly standard. However, this “Professional” tool also lets you choose between HTML and plain text (which you can copy or download), along with several different languages to pick from.

Blind Text Generator

The unique selling point of Blind Text Generator is that it really focuses on the needs of web designers. For instance, in addition to setting a custom number of words or paragraphs, you can also generate a specific number of characters. This comes in handy when testing form inputs. Also included is a selection of pre-populated HTML tags, which you can then copy and paste into your design. Don’t like the standard lorem ipsum? Choose between different types of texts and languages.

CorporateLorem

While CorporateLorem embraces pure randomness, it also features English language words rather than Latin – a plus for some users. And it couldn’t be easier to use. Hit the refresh button in your browser (or the one provided on the top right corner of the site), and a new filler article will display. If you prefer to use famous movie quotes, they have a tool for that as well.

Image Placeholders

When building layouts, using a placeholder allows you to figure out where you want to position images without the hassle of making specific choices. This provides a more unbiased way to show clients your ideas while encouraging them to imagine what kind of images they’d like to use in that space.

Better Placeholder

If you’re looking for a no-frills temporary image, Better Placeholder is for you. Just enter in your desired image dimensions, update the preview, and a barebones image is generated. By default, the dimensions are displayed on the image, making for a handy reminder of sizing when swapping them out later on. However, you can also customize that text, as well as the color scheme and file format.

Gradient Joy

Who says that placeholders can’t add a splash of color? Gradient Joy offers a library of gradient images that use several different color schemes. Note that everything here is hosted remotely and requires adding a link to an outside URL within your site. The URL structure also allows you to resize images to match your size requirements easily. Plus, the available JSON API can further automate the process.

Joe Schmoe

Joe Schmoe is an API that developers can tap into to add fun, illustrated avatar placeholders to their projects. Unlike most generators, this one is actually suggested for use on production sites. You could, for example, use the API to assign consistent, temporary avatars for new users on a membership-based site. There are several avatars to choose from, and they can either be called randomly or by name.

Add-Ons and Plugins

When you’re busy, every second counts, that’s where the add-ons and plugins below can help save your precious time by generating content directly within your favorite editor or CMS.

Emmet

Emmet is a plugin that works with many popular text editors, including Sublime Text, Dreamweaver, Notepad++, and a whole lot more. And it does a number of things to improve workflow, including the ability to generate lorem ipsum text with impressive ease.

FakerPress

If you build your own WordPress themes, you’ll want to ensure that they look pixel-perfect with a wide array of content. FakerPress lets you pick and choose which types of content you want to add to your test site. It can generate random HTML for posts, images (including featured images), user profiles, metadata, and a whole lot more. When you’re done, the plugin will even delete the generated content for you.

Any Ipsum

Wouldn’t it be cool to generate your own custom filler text? Any Lipsum is a WordPress plugin that gives you the power to make it happen. Activate the plugin, and you’ll be able to add your own custom words via a settings panel. Content can be returned as HTML, JSON, or plain text. Command line users will be glad to know that it’s also compatible with WP-CLI.

Lipsum Generator

Generating random text can be as simple as one click, thanks to the Lipsum Generator Chrome extension. Settings include the ability to choose from a custom number of paragraphs, sentences or words. You can even set things up so that the generated text is automatically copied to your clipboard.

Talkin’ About My Generation

The tools above cover a wide range of niches and potential use cases. Whether you want to generate content within your favorite tool, web browser, or an API, you’ll be able to do so with minimal effort.

However, it appears that there is an entire subculture dedicated to demo content generators. While we can’t possibly list them all here, you may want to check out Awesome Ipsum – a Github repository that features a huge curated list of tools. Whether you’re looking for something serious or humorous, there are plenty of interesting options to choose from.

The post 10 Lorem Ipsum & Demo Content Generators for Web Designers appeared first on Speckyboy Design Magazine.

Not getting enough work done? It’s not because you haven’t mastered that so-called holy grail of “time management.” In fact, the whole idea of time management is a myth.

That’s right, I said it. Why? Because you cannot actually “manage” time. No matter who you are or what you do, there are 24 hours in your day the same as there are for everyone else.

Yet still, some people manage to be so much more productive than others, despite having so much more to do than they should be able to “fit” into that same 24-hour span. Not to mention fitting in time for eating, sleeping, walking the dog, et cetera.

The main reason that you may not be getting enough done is not your time. It’s your to-do list. If you find yourself constantly overwhelmed by the items on it, it usually means that they’re not broken down into small enough tasks. That means that your tasks, rather than your time, are the thing that needs managing.

For example, if you have “submit 3 comps to client” on your to-do list, and it’s just sitting there intimidating you, it’s probably much too broad of a task for your brain to digest and get started on.

Try breaking down the big, scary item into smaller mini-tasks. Detail out your to-do list as small as you need to so that it’s no longer as intimidating. This process is a task in and of itself and can take several hours, so it helps to actually plan a time to do it – on a Friday afternoon or over the weekend. Believe me, it will take longer than you think.

Getting a bunch of things done at the same time is always faster than doing one thing at a time. If there’s something you can batch and get out of the way in one group, do it.

For example, if you have three layouts to do, instead of completing each one fully before starting on the next one, see if there isn’t a similar task for all three that you could tackle first, sort of like an assembly line at a factory, then move on to the next similar task, and so on.

Again, usually things are overwhelming because they haven’t been broken down enough into bite-sized chunks. However, it’s up to you what’s appropriately small enough for you and what could be broken down more. In our earlier example, “submit 3 comps to client” might be broken down into smaller steps, such as “finish first wireframe sketch.” This might be a good to-do item for you, or it might still be completely overwhelming.

Take each thing on your to-do list and figure out how you can break it down into smaller steps. Break it down again – and keep breaking it down until it’s doable. Even if you have to list step one as “sit down and turn on the computer.” It may be embarrassing, but anything that gets you started is worth the effort.

This is not quite time management, but it’s as close as we mere mortals can get. Rather than attempting, set up a timer to chime in regular intervals, alerting you to when it’s time to switch to something else. Stick to your ETA, and whatever you do, don’t let yourself go over the time limit. If it’s 20 minutes, don’t take 35. If you’re not serious about saving time, then you never will.

Sometimes things that you’ve written down on your to-do list, for whatever reason, just don’t ever get done. Sometimes this can stress us out because the item is still there on the list, staring us in the face every time we look at it. This in itself can make getting through your work a real chore.

If something’s been on your to-do list for over a month, either delegate it to someone else, do it now, or just admit that it will never get done and move on. Uncrossed items on our to-do lists pile on more and more stress the more we look at them, so be sure to get them crossed off or dropped ASAP.

And last, but not least, remember that “perfection” is an impossible goal, in productivity or in anything else. It doesn’t matter what app or system you use to boost your productivity. Someone who uses a simple pen and paper can be a thousand times more productive than the person who has all the latest apps and gadgets.

Productivity comes from actually doing stuff, not preparing or planning to do stuff.

The post It’s Task Management, Not Time Management appeared first on Speckyboy Design Magazine.

The good news is that there are plenty of opportunities to create and improve efficiency. Virtually every part of the design process can be tweaked and refined. But they’re not always easy to spot.

You could go years without knowing they’re there, waiting for you to take advantage. But once you find them, you’ll get more done in less time. And those efficiencies can also reduce stress. That frees your mind and inspires creativity.

But where do you start? And what are the “right” areas to be efficient? Here are a few ideas to kickstart the process.

Find Little Things That Can Add Up

The next time you start a new design project, think about your workflow. Create a list of each step you take along the way. For me, it looks something like this:

1. Gather project requirements;
2. Determine the best solution;
3. Design a prototype/mockup;
4. Make revisions until the mockup is approved;
5. Build the product;
6. Test and make any final revisions;
7. Launch!

Each step above can be made more efficient. For example, gathering project requirements isn’t always a smooth process. Oftentimes there are information gaps, contradictions, and other vagaries that can slow things down.

To speed things up and increase accuracy, you might create an online questionnaire that asks all the important questions. Once you have the answers, you can follow up and clarify your client’s needs.

When we’re juggling multiple responsibilities, the small details tend to slip our minds. Thus, finding ways to automate or strengthen the process can help. Do this for each step and you’ve saved untold time and energy.

Build Templates and Libraries for Quick Access

Web designers often find themselves with repetitive tasks. That could involve anything from building prototypes to writing code, or accessibility testing. This is an area ripe for building efficiency.

Templates and web components can be a huge help in enabling progress without hurting originality. A basic set of HTML templates or Figma UI kits can provide a quick starting point for a design.

Meanwhile, a WordPress starter theme can be beneficial when you’re ready to move from concept to production. It doesn’t have to be anything fancy. Rather, something that can serve as a “skeleton” for you to build on top of.

When it comes to coding, a snippet library provides quick access to common functionality. For instance, I keep a file of PHP, JavaScript, and CSS that I frequently use. Having everything I need in one spot means not having to reinvent the wheel. A tool like GitHub is perfect for this type of repository.

Simplify or Outsource Non-Design Tasks

Sometimes your to-do list will include items not related to design. This is especially frustrating for freelancers. Playing the roles of both the creative talent and business manager can leave you with little free time.

Billing is an area that can always be made leaner. For instance, I realized that my billing scheme was too complicated. I was spending more time than I wanted on sending out monthly invoices (often for very small amounts of money).

My solution? I started offering yearly packages hoping that it would be more convenient. As it turns out, several clients have signed up. I now spend a fraction of the time on invoicing each month.

However, there are times when we simply can’t bring these tasks to a more reasonable level. Or we may just get tired of having to do them at all.

This is where you might consider enlisting the services of another professional. Much depends on your specific needs and budget. But having someone you can trust to carry out these tasks can help you focus on what you do best.

Take a Serious Look at Your Services

While business-related tasks can be a burden, so can the services you offer. Therefore, it’s worth reviewing the types of projects you accept. From there, you can determine what is and isn’t working.

Let’s say, for example, that you tend to work with a lot of small clients. Crunch the numbers and see if your revenue matches the effort you’re putting forth.

Sometimes smaller projects end up taking too much time and destroying profits. You may find that it’s costing you a chance at more lucrative opportunities.

Review what you offer to clients and think about the benefits they provide. If something isn’t worth the effort, you can either rework it (by increasing the price) or drop it altogether.

Become a More Efficient Web Designer

When starting as a web designer, it’s easy to add a task or process here and there until things get out of control. That’s understandable. After all, we don’t often consider the long-term consequences.

Incorporating efficiency often comes later, after you begin to see the real-world impacts. Thankfully you can make changes.

So, take a close look at what you’re doing. Then create a list of ways to make it work better for you. You might be amazed at the amount of time you’ll get back.

The post How Improving Efficiency Can Make You a Better Designer appeared first on Speckyboy Design Magazine.