That’s why web designers need to evolve. It’s a key factor in long-term success. But making the transition to the “next big thing” isn’t easy.

There are challenges involved. For one, changing your workflow is disruptive. Not to mention the learning curve that comes with something new.

Motivation, or a lack thereof, can also play a role. For example, we may think that learning React would be beneficial. We may even put it on our to-do list. But what motivates us to start the process?

To put it mildly – it’s a complicated situation. But we’re here to help! Let’s look at a few motivating factors that can help push you in the right direction.

You’re Missing Out on Projects

Just as web design changes, so do project requirements. Clients take notice of both design and functionality trends. Thus, they have a higher level of expectation.

Consider the definition of a “basic” website. In the late 1990s or early 2000s, it was likely a static site. There was no content management component. And a contact form may have served as the most complex functionality included.

That’s no longer the case. Clients who want to make site edits will require a content management system (CMS) like WordPress. They may also want to accept payments and distribute members-only content.

Sure, the market for static HTML is still there – and use cases abound. But even those sites are built differently these days.

Keeping up with best practices should serve as a motivator. Otherwise, you risk missing out on interesting (and potentially lucrative) projects.

Your Workflow Is Cumbersome for a Colleague

Even solo freelancers collaborate with others. Therefore, the ability to share work is critical for success. If things don’t go smoothly, it could impact the final product.

How we work is important. For instance, you might have a process for managing tasks. But what if it’s not easily shared with others? That might leave your collaborators out of the loop.

The beauty of working alone is that you can do things your way. However, sharing a role with others changes the game. You may need to adjust to better facilitate working together.

In practice, it could mean using a project management platform. This would allow stakeholders to get on the same page. Efficiency will increase. And the outcome will likely be better.

That’s why it’s worth asking yourself if a particular workflow still makes sense. It’s easy to fall into the trap of continuing to do unproductive things. A reset here could be just what you need.

The Tools You Use Are Obsolete

Not all tools change with the times. And we’ll often use a tool simply because it is the best available option.

The right tool can empower us. But obsolete tools can hold us back. They can make it more difficult to follow best practices. Plus, they may also make us less efficient.

On the other hand, there’s also the benefit of comfort. And it’s often easier to stick with what we know – even if it’s no longer the most modern solution.

One example: using Adobe Photoshop to create website mockups. It still works well enough for this purpose. And the familiar UI makes it a favorite among veteran designers.

But modern prototyping has changed significantly. They account for multiple screen sizes and offer more web-focused features. Why, even Adobe has moved on with their XD app.

Age alone doesn’t mean you have to abandon a tool. But it doesn’t hurt to look around and try something new. Perhaps you’ll find a better fit for your needs.

You’re Stuck in a Creative Rut

Creativity can be a fragile thing. Some days we have it. Sometimes it disappears into the atmosphere. And although workflow isn’t the only cause for a creative rut, it can contribute to one.

This may also be the most difficult issue to diagnose. We can blame our daily routine for that. Many of us like routines because we don’t have to think about them. Therefore, we might not recognize habits that take away our creative edge.

So, how do you break away from things that hamper us? It starts with a little self-analysis.

Think about the times when you’re feeling most creative. What factors are involved? For instance, you might find that you’re “in the zone” at a certain time of day. Or maybe when you turn off the notifications on your phone. Or when you stick to one task at a time. The possibilities are endless.

The idea is to find what fuels your creativity. From there, you can adjust your workflow to match.

Bring Your Workflow Up To Speed

None of us has a perfect workflow. And it’s unlikely that any two web designers will do things in the same way. That’s a feature – not a bug.

Therefore, taking a closer look at how we work is healthy. Are the tools and technologies we use helping us reach our full potential? Or is there something getting in the way of success?

We don’t have to force a change. But there are so many options and life hacks out there. And we get to choose the ones that work best for us.

The answers will be different for each of us. That’s part of what makes web design unique.

The post Why You Should Consider Updating Your Web Design Workflow appeared first on Speckyboy Design Magazine.

You could hire someone to help with these tasks. But that can be cost-prohibitive – not to mention inefficient. And there’s also the challenge of finding someone who is reliable.

This is where the advent of artificial intelligence (AI) tools like ChatGPT comes into play. While they can’t do everything for us, they can make quick work of common tasks. That leaves you with more time to focus on other aspects of your projects.

Today, we’ll look at a few common tasks that ChatGPT can perform for web developers. You might be surprised at some of its capabilities.

Create a Regular Expression Based on Your Instructions

The logic and syntax of regular expressions (regex) can be difficult to grasp. So much that you may cringe at the idea of having to write one. We hear you!

On the other hand, regex can be quite powerful. It can be used to find matching data in even the most complicated text strings. If you’re writing code, you’ll eventually need one.

Based on our experiments, ChatGPT is surprisingly good at creating regular expressions. We asked it to write an expression that could find a unique ID within a URL. With just a few basic parameters in our prompt, the tool immediately produced the code and explained how it works.

If you use AI for nothing else in your life, this may be the one task worth trying. It could save your sanity.

Write a Basic WordPress Plugin

Sometimes, the hardest part of writing a custom WordPress plugin is getting started. Trying to include “all the things” at once can lead to frustration. And working within the various APIs WordPress offers can be confusing.

ChatGPT can help. No, it won’t write you a fully-fledged WooCommerce competitor. But it can help get you pointed in the right direction.

For example, you might use it to create a basic plugin. And the tool can also help you add features as you think of them. ChatGPT remembers your “conversations” and lets you go back to them at any time.

A good start is crucial. AI can take care of the initial dirty work. Once you have a solid foundation for your plugin, the sky’s the limit.

Summarize a Blog Post for SEO

Adding a meta description for website content is good practice. It can have a positive impact on search engine optimization (SEO). Plus, it helps readers understand the subject matter when browsing a search results page (SERP).

But writing these summaries can be a pain. Particularly if the content was written by your client. You’ll have to read it whether you’re interested or not. And then you’ll need to write a description in 155 characters or less.

Why not ask ChatGPT? Provide it with the URL and ask for a character-limited summary. In a few seconds, you’ll have a good starting point.

Sure, you may need to fine-tune some of the wording. But that’s still faster and easier than doing it all yourself.

One side benefit: if you’re using WordPress, you can also use the generated text as an excerpt.

Troubleshoot a Buggy Code Snippet

It’s easy to get frustrated while debugging code. You could spend hours trying to figure out why a snippet isn’t working. And even the tiniest syntax error can be the culprit. There are better ways to spend an afternoon (or evening).

Modern development tools can point out errors. Or they’re effective at telling you there’s an error – they don’t always give specifics.

Before you reach your wit’s end, give ChatGPT a try. It’s capable of spotting those pesky syntax issues. If the tool is feeling especially generous, it may provide you with a corrected version.

In our testing, the tool was able to identify errors in both JavaScript and PHP snippets. And it took mere seconds.

This doesn’t guarantee that you’ll be able to fix every issue. But it’s worth the time to see if AI can be of help.

Find the Right Tool for Your Project

Researching tools for development projects can be time-consuming. Plus, depending on the functionality you need; it’s not always easy to find a great match.

Thankfully you can use AI as a trusted consultant. Ask ChatGPT to recommend ways to build a specific type of website and it may have just the solution.

For example, asking: “What WordPress plugin can I use to build an online course?” produces a handful of results. It doesn’t tell you which one is the best, but is there to provide options. From there, you can take a closer look.

At the very least, it could lead you to a tool you hadn’t considered. You might also save a bit of time searching the web.

Take Advantage of What AI Can Do for Your Workflow

Two things can benefit every web developer: a helping hand and more time. AI, and ChatGPT in particular, can provide a bit of both.

And we’re just starting to scratch the surface of what’s possible (for better or worse). These tools won’t take over your job during a vacation, but they can help you get things done quicker.

The items above are examples of how AI can turn your workflow into a well-oiled machine. It’s especially handy for those who work in a fast-paced environment. Because the last thing we need is to get bogged down with a menial task.

It seems like developers are finding new ways to leverage the power of AI daily. Therefore, feel free to experiment. Think of tasks that get in your way and see if this new technology can help. It could result in crossing more things off of your to-do list.

The post 5 Common Tasks That ChatGPT Can Perform for Web Developers appeared first on Speckyboy Design Magazine.

But there’s a twist that we don’t often talk about: freelancers who work as sub-contractors. This might entail helping another design agency with projects. Or you might supplement an organization’s in-house team. Other scenarios could also come into play.

Sub-contracting can be lucrative and keep your schedule full. It may mean not having to worry about hunting for new projects. It’s also a decidedly different path – one that comes with unique challenges.

Curious about the benefits and drawbacks of sub-contracting? You’ve come to the right place! Here’s some advice for determining if it’s right for you.

A Chance for Security, While Maintaining Flexibility

Working as a sub-contractor can be as flexible (or not) as you’d like. Much of it depends on your goals and the available opportunities.

It’s possible to find a long-term working relationship. Some clients need a designer or developer who has regular availability. They may not have the resources or workload to hire someone on a full-time basis. Thus, bringing in a contractor makes perfect sense.

Perhaps the biggest positive is having the best of both worlds. You can get steady work and a dependable income. But you’ll also have the freedom to work on other projects.

Conversely, there are also opportunities for picking up short-term gigs. These tend to be situations where a client could use a helping hand with a particular project. It could be weeks, months, or just a few small tasks.

This is a great arrangement if you enjoy variety. It’s a chance to meet new people and experience how different organizations work. There’s always something new to engage your mind.

The Ability to Work Behind the Scenes

Not everyone enjoys working directly with clients. It can be stressful. Plus, the time commitment is an obstacle to getting things done. Endless meetings, complicated email chains…who needs it?

The challenge for most freelancers is that client relations are part of the job. And when you work solo, there’s no one else to do it for you.

That’s one advantage of sub-contracting with a web design agency. In many cases, they’re the ones dealing with clients. Thus, you can happily do your work behind the scenes.

Even better is that you could end up with a single point of contact. Imagine working with the same person throughout multiple projects. It could lead to greater efficiency, provided everyone has solid communication skills.

That last point is an important one. If there’s a communication breakdown, that could make the whole process harder. However, this is something that can improve with experience. Even if the first few projects are messy – give it time.

This type of working relationship takes some effort. But it can be well worth it if you want to focus on code and design, rather than figuring out what a client needs.

A Look at Potential Drawbacks

There are no guarantees of perfection. Working as a subcontractor often means balancing your needs with what’s available. Therefore, it can be a bit of a journey until you find the right fit.

With that, here are some potential drawbacks to consider before jumping in.

It Can Be Hard To Find What You’re Looking For

Many opportunities exist for web designers looking for sub-contracting work. But that doesn’t mean you’ll find one that has everything you want.

Pricing and workload are among the hardest items to match. For instance, many clients have a specific price range in mind. If your pricing is on the higher side, they may not be willing to adjust.

When it comes to workload, this can be all over the map. Finding a client that offers a suitable amount of work isn’t easy.

Thus, compromise may be your best bet. If both parties are willing to negotiate in these areas, it’s a signal that you can work well together.

You May Have To Adapt to a Different Workflow

Agency clients tend to have an established workflow. They have preferred tools, coding standards, and protocols for documenting their work. As a freelancer, you’ll likely have to adapt to their way of doing things.

If you’re not familiar with how they work, it can be a difficult adjustment. And some agencies may not be willing to fully train you or provide access to tools. Rather, they may be looking for someone who can jump right in.

Clients that work with open-source tools like WordPress could make the transition easier. But commercial tools could mean spending your own hard-earned money. You’ll have to judge whether that sort of investment will be worthwhile.

You’re Often the Last To Know

When working with sub-contractors, most clients are welcoming and inclusive. But you can also find yourself out of the loop when it comes to details.

Much depends on how communication is structured. If you’re part of a large team, you may have access to a project management app. That’s great for staying in the know and asking questions.

But if communication is a one-to-one affair, the task can be more difficult. You’re relying on someone to tell you what you need to know. If they’re not detail-oriented, you may be missing some key information.

This can lead to having to build (and rebuild) various aspects of a project. Not very fun!

The Time Commitment Could Limit Other Opportunities

Let’s assume that you find a sub-contracting gig that keeps you busy. There are plenty of positives that come with steady work. But it can be limiting as well.

For one, you might have to turn down other opportunities. A schedule that’s full of contract work could prevent you from taking on anything new.

And it could also leave little time for growth. Sometimes, contract work has a sameness to it. This is great for efficiency. But the downside is that you can’t branch out and expand your skill set.

Therefore, it’s worth taking a hard look at your priorities before signing on with a client. If you don’t want a gig to monopolize your time or growth potential, look for opportunities that require less commitment.

A Web Design Career Path Worth Exploring

Freelancers face a lot of uncertainty. Maintaining a steady flow of new projects is daunting – even in the best of economic times.

Working as a sub-contractor is one way to add some predictability. If you find the right opportunity, you could be set up with a foundation of work and income for the long term.

Just know that it will likely require patience and good judgment to get there. Finding the right client isn’t easy. And you need the foresight to see the potential in some arrangements.

It’s also worth noting that there’s nothing wrong with starting small. If you feel like there’s potential for a working relationship to grow, take a chance and see where it goes. That’s better than getting in over your head.

Is working as a sub-contractor right for you? Take time and think about your goals. It might end up being exactly what you need.

The post Tips for Freelance Designers Who Work as a Sub-contractor appeared first on Speckyboy Design Magazine.

You feel tired and bored, having lost sight of why you chose a career in design in the first place, and you find yourself wondering whether you should just give it all up and become a dental hygienist.

It can be really demoralizing to lose your motivation part of the way through a project, but what do you do if you absolutely have to get something done regardless of how you feel about it?

I’m going to tell you about a technique you can use when you’re feeling burnt out and you simply can’t bear to think about taking one more step to complete that big, hairy project staring you in the face.

Riding the Rollercoaster

Emotions are not permanent. Sometimes you’re exuberantly happy, and other times you’re depressed enough to cry. This is normal – it means you’re human and not a robot. Most people realize that their current emotional state won’t last forever.

However, most of us seem to conveniently forget that fact when there’s a pile of work that needs to be done, and it isn’t going to do itself. It doesn’t matter if the work is for a client or boss, or just for ourselves.

We can usually find a way to get our work done when there’s a paycheck involved, but sometimes even that isn’t motivation enough to press on.

Procrastination is a problem that affects us all, but for some people, it can be more devastating than usual. Believe it or not, people have lost their jobs, homes, and families because they couldn’t bring themselves out of the trap of procrastination.

Procrastination usually occurs when the emotional side of our brains – the side that loves to laze in front of the television and eat ice cream – overtakes the rational side of our brains.

The rational side no longer has control, and the emotional side is now telling us that there’s nothing more important than catching up on our favorite show or finishing that new video game we just bought.

If this sounds painfully familiar, I have some news for you. First of all, you should realize that procrastination, despite being an annoyance and a major waste of time, is perfectly normal.

Really. You’re not some lazy freak of nature if you procrastinate now and then. There’s no real cure for procrastination, and to be honest, as a creative person, you probably wouldn’t want the cure even if there was one.

Why? Because procrastination is a major source of distraction, and distraction is what allows you to be creative in the first place.

Think about it. If your life was merely a series of tasks from your to-do list, which you did flawlessly all the time, where would you find the time to be creative?

And what are you usually doing when you’re at your most creative? Are you getting things done productively, like a good little automaton? Or are you goofing off – staring into space, doodling aimlessly, thinking about crazy, abstract things that have nothing to do with the task at hand? If you’re anything like me, the answer is almost always the latter.

The problem comes when your procrastination lasts longer than the period it’s required to be useful. If you find yourself avoiding your work for no other reason than you’re just not motivated to do it, there are a few things you can do to get yourself back on track and complete the work that needs to be completed.

First of all, it’s important to understand the nature of human emotion. Don’t worry – this isn’t some esoteric psychology lesson.

It’s actually quite simple: there’s no way you can maintain the same level of enthusiasm for the entire duration of a long-term project. It’s just not possible. Your brain will eventually run out of energy, and you’ll find yourself exhausted and demotivated.

This is normal. And like procrastination, there’s nothing you can do about it. What you can do, however, is something that many people refuse to do: accept that it’s normal and that you can’t do anything about it.

Once you accept that something is inevitable, you’ll be much better prepared to deal with it when it happens.

If you’ve ever lost a loved one to a long illness, you’ll probably recall how, after a certain period, they will begin to make preparations for their own passing. They’ll update their will, and set everything in order for the day when they’ll no longer be around. There’s nothing they can do to stop what’s coming, but they can accept it and make things go that much smoother.

And if a terminally ill person can accept their own mortality, you can certainly accept that you’ll have to continue working regardless of how you feel about it at any given time.

In order to continue working on a project once you’re past that stage of initial enthusiasm, you have to prepare yourself ahead of time to deal with your fluctuating emotions.

It’s important to realize that you won’t always be at the same level of excitement, and that that’s perfectly okay. That way, when you lose steam halfway through, you’ll have a system in place to deal with it and you won’t be completely lost and frustrated.

A lot of people say things like, “it’s not the destination that matters, but the journey.” After you get through wanting to punch those people in the face, take a moment and really think about what they’re saying. If you’re too focused on your goal, you won’t even notice when your enthusiasm runs out and you’re no longer able to rely on it for motivation.

Set Realistic Expectations

Many times, we lose motivation to work on a project because we just aren’t seeing the results we thought we would in the allotted time period.

If you took on a few freelancing jobs in hopes of saving up enough money to take that trip around the world you’ve been wanting to take, or even to just pay some of your bills that have been piling up, and you haven’t gotten as many clients as you hoped you would, you can easily become discouraged.

If no amount of marketing or niching down your target client base has been showing results, perhaps it’s time to reevaluate the amount of time you’ve given yourself to reach your goals.

Are you expecting to double your income through freelancing within six months? If so, you might want to sit down, because I have some bad news for you. Building a successful freelance career takes time – time that you might not have given yourself in the beginning.

Use your “downtime” of minimal motivation to reassess your goals and create a more realistic scenario. When you’re feeling defeated, it can be much easier to accept that your goals will take you longer than you thought.

Why? Because you give your brain hope that they can eventually be reached, rather than thinking that everything is doomed and you’ll never be successful.

Doomed If You Do, Doomed If You Don’t

If you’ve been successful at completing projects before, you might recall that, though you can laugh and joke about it all now, you probably experienced feelings of doubt and anxiety about the success of your project.

Doubt is one of the biggest killers of motivation, because it robs you of the confidence needed to complete any task.

Even if you’ve planned your goals carefully and rationally, and you haven’t miscalculated anything in terms of time or effort required, if you feel you’re still not getting the results you were hoping for, you can start to lose your enthusiasm.

You may feel as though you’ll never reach your goals… until you do reach them. Then, you become totally confident again and nothing can stop you. Right?

Well, sometimes. I don’t know about you, but even when I’ve been successful with a project, I’ll still get a nagging feeling that I just haven’t done enough to secure my success. If you experience anxiety about succeeding, you can feel as if you’re a fraud, hiding behind a curtain of false confidence like the Wizard of Oz.

The good thing about these feelings is that they’re usually temporary. Most people have them, and they’ll eventually go away after a while. If you began your project for the right reasons, those reasons will always guide you through the wilderness, and you’ll eventually meet back up with your confidence.

Creative people are natural-born risk-takers. Everything we do – from finding freelance clients to generating valuable work those clients will love – involves a risk of some sort.

Even if the only risk is you feeling demotivated or unenthusiastic from time to time, it can still prove too much for you to handle. But imagine how our lives would be if nothing involved any kind of risk. If everything you touched turned to gold and you could never fail, ever.

The post How to Handle Losing Your Motivation as a Designer appeared first on Speckyboy Design Magazine.

You sit down at your computer and start writing. You’ve been designing for several years now, so you have a pretty good idea of what customers want. Most are looking for a good-looking website that gives their company a professional presentation online. They’re looking for an attractive online presence that positions them as a credible source for whatever it is they do.

So you write copy along these lines. It looks pretty good, and you’re satisfied; you give the green light to the developer to implement what you’ve written. But how do you know for sure you’re selling clients what they want?

The Challenge of Selling Clients What They Want

The challenge of selling clients what they want starts with the fact that every client is different. Some are looking for a beautiful and unique design.

Others are looking for something simple that’s less expensive but gets the job done. Still others are looking for something to be finished quickly because they’re on a short time schedule.

Unfortunately, it’s nearly impossible to write for all of these cases on your website, especially on the homepage. You can create different landing pages for each client, but there’s no guarantee that they’ll all find the right one. It’s also difficult to anticipate every possible client scenario.

Since every client is different, there’s almost no way to cover every need with your website copy, but there is something you can do.

The Solution

The best solution is to pay attention to your clients when you talk with them. As in really pay attention to what they’re saying.

Take notes about what they talk about. Write down the problems they mention, the goals they have, and the constraints they’re working under. You should even ask questions like the following:

1. What are you trying to accomplish with this project?
2. What are your goals?
3. What are the top things you’re looking for in a designer?

By asking these questions, you’ll be able to find out what the prospective client is looking for in the project. Sometimes it’s speed, other times it’s a unique design, and yet other times it’s effectiveness.

In order to close the sale and best meet the client’s needs, you shouldn’t offer cookie-cutter solutions; you need to know what each individual customer is looking for.

Carrying This Out

Now that you’ve met with the client and identified their needs, objectives, and desires, you need need to know what to do with that information. Here’s what you can do:

Start by writing a proposal that includes the customer’s needs, objectives, and desires. Submitting a proposal helps you come off as more professional and more experienced than just sending an email. So submitting a proposal alone will put you ahead of the competition. And once you include the needs, objectives, and desires of the client, you’ll be even farther ahead.

Including the goals and desires of the prospect means you’ll be selling them exactly what it is they’re looking for. You’ll speak their exact language. If they’re looking to get a website in a short amount of time, you can mention how quickly you’ll finish the project.

If they’re looking for a unique design, you can show samples from your portfolio of the most unique work you’ve done.

This also enables you to charge more. By focusing on the clients needs and objectives, you know which solution they need the most. If it’s speed they’re looking for, you can mention that you’ll meet the deadline but it will cost slightly more since it’s an expedited project.

The client is less likely to balk if they’re under a time constraint, and they’ll be assured you understand how important timeliness is for their project. It also becomes a very effective reason to ask for a higher rate on each project.

The most convincing part of your proposal will be the fact that you repeat the clients needs back to them, and then show how you’ll meet those needs. Customers will feel like you’re reading their mind and know exactly what it is they’re looking for.

Wrap-Up

Without using your clients needs as selling points in your proposal, you’ll just mouth a pre-conceived list of things you say to every client. You’ll talk about how original and beautiful your designs are and how they stand out from the competition and win design awards. But is that really, really what this particular client wants? For some it will be; for others it won’t.

So the next time you’re in a client meeting, remember to ask questions that will identify the customer’s needs and objectives. You also want to make sure to pay attention and take notes.

Once you do have notes on what it is that they want, sit down and write a proposal that lists every need and desire mentioned with a corresponding solution. Knowing the customer’s needs better than your competition will give you the best chance to convert more leads into sales and ongoing client relationships.

What’s your experience with identifying customer needs? Have you had any luck finding out what clients want in order to close more sales? If yes, leave a comment so we can discuss!

The post Designers, Are You Selling Clients What They Want? appeared first on Speckyboy Design Magazine.

In web design, it often seems quite the opposite of all that nonsense. We’re more than willing to share code and advice. We use Meetups and WordCamps as venues to help educate fellow designers and the general public. There’s a whole lot of good being done.

Still, there have been instances where things aren’t always on the up and up. Over the years, I’ve personally dealt with several clients who have had bad experiences with a previous designer. Their negative experiences ranged from missed deadlines, unfinished work to a general lack of communication.

As a freelancer, your reputation means an awful lot. Luckily, you’re the one who gets to build it. You start out with a clean slate and, over time, have experiences that will come to define your business. Therefore, you want to make sure that you’re doing everything you can to enhance your reputation.

Here are some tips for building your freelance street cred:

1. Build Trust

It doesn’t take a behavioral expert to know that trust is a key factor in any relationship. After all, why would you hire someone that you don’t trust?

The good news is that the ways to build trust aren’t very mysterious. You get there through little things like being upfront about your pricing and responding to questions in timely manner. In other words: Common courtesies go a long way. Those little things are what make people feel most valued.

2. Explain Your Process

Clients don’t want to be left in the dark regarding the work you’re doing for them. From the outset of your relationship, explain the process for how you typically work on a project. Let them know what to expect and when to expect it. Keep them in the loop as you move through different stages.

Providing a bit of transparency is a great way to reassure clients that they’ve made a great decision in hiring you. Some will want a more detailed explanation than others, so adjust accordingly. But even a general outline of what’s happening can have a positive impact on how others see you.

3. Take Feedback Seriously

It’s not unusual for someone to offer feedback that you either don’t agree with or maybe even find a bit ridiculous. Regardless, listen to what people say and treat their opinions with respect. Offer your own professional feedback in response.

Establishing a good dialogue can improve the final product. It also helps to build the kind of working relationship where a client will feel very comfortable referring you to others.

4. Deliver More Than Expected

Putting forth an extra effort makes a very positive impression. For example, when agreeing to a deadline on a project, getting it finished a day or two early will win you some major brownie points.

One way to achieve this is by using the old “under-promise, over-deliver” technique. When giving a time estimate, provide the worst-case scenario date. When you finish early, you’re a hero. And, if things do get hectic, you now have a more reasonable deadline.

Whatever it is, make sure that your client feels like a priority. You’ll be thought of as a hard worker and someone who cares about quality.

5. Be Consistent

One of the most important traits you can display is consistency. That includes things like always responding to a message within a certain amount of time, maintaining a regular work schedule and hitting your deadlines.

This also goes back to #1, as being dependable goes a long way towards building trust. When people know that they can rely on you, they will appreciate the fact that your work is one less thing they have to worry about.

You Are Your Reputation

A great reputation is a freelancer’s best advocate. It’s a crucial factor in whether or not we succeed over the long term. Unlike the traditional office gig, we don’t have the benefit of a corporate brand or high-priced marketing campaign to win new business. We are the sole builders of our own personal brand.

That’s not to say you’ll never have a negative experience. Sometimes, things just don’t work out. But more often than not, a positive reputation will bring positive results.

The post How to Build a Great Reputation as a Freelancer appeared first on Speckyboy Design Magazine.

Today we’ll explore five ways the design process is remarkably similar to the process pastry chefs use to bake cupcakes, and what designers can do to improve their own design workflow. Also, you’ll probably get a little hungry in the process – just giving you fair warning!

1. Use Only The Tools You Need

Cupcakes themselves have a rather extensive design history. In the middle ages, miniature cakes stamped with tiny images were used to spread knowledge of the Bible to the common people, who were mostly illiterate. The priests spreading the gospel in those days had mastered a simple but powerful tool that many in sales and marketing still use today – giving people free food!

The next time you see free samples of a new product at the grocery store, or complimentary snacks branded with a particular company’s logo, you’ll know that these companies are using the same tactic that worked hundreds of years ago.

It’s important to think about your design process in terms of communication and problem solving – from the tools you use all the way up to the most abstract ideas. Remember, the medieval priests didn’t need anything complicated to get their message across – all they had was cake!

The only equipment you need for baking a batch of delicious cupcakes is a pan, cupcake wrappers, a bowl to mix in, and an oven to bake. If something isn’t necessary to get your message across, it probably shouldn’t be there. Try removing some of your not-so-essential tools from your arsenal and see if you can still make things work.

2. Measure Twice, Bake Once

Baking cupcakes from scratch is one of those things that you either get right, or you botch completely. Instant cake mixes and the like have made the process much easier for most people, but if you want to try your hand at old-fashioned cupcakes the way grandma used to make, you’ll need a good handle on the exact science of baking.

In this way, making cupcakes is a lot like design. Sure, you can download some clipart or use a template in Illustrator to quickly create a design, but most clients are paying you for the problem-solving abilities in your own brain.

In order to do that successfully, designers have to temper their wild creative impulses with a healthy dose of ‘science’ – testing the strength of your ideas through research, feedback from your clients and the audience you’re trying to reach, and lots and lots of sketches.

Measure carefully. Be ultra specific about your “recipe” and you’ll always have a strong design.

3. Test Everything Before You Use It

In some of the more meticulous bakeries I’ve worked with, the chefs have a ritual after their day’s work is done. They clean all the equipment they’ve used, electrical and non-electrical, then test it to see if it works. Even if they just used it and it was working perfectly. The reason they do this is because they want to be 100% certain that nothing will fail on them right in the middle of an important process.

If something is low on power, or cracked, or has an imperfection that will hinder their work, they fix it before the next day. This also applies to ingredients – if a baker is running low on sugar or flour, it’s better to know that in advance, rather than right before they start work the next morning.

Making sure you know what all of your tools are capable of allows you to quickly tweak your process for maximum efficiency. Establish a ritual of testing everything constantly, so that everything you need is always ready to go before you begin ‘cooking.’ Don’t just assume that something is in working order simply because you’ve used it recently. And even if it is, don’t assume that it will remain in working order for the duration of your project.

You can apply this literally to the tools you use – your hardware, save files, code, etc. But I’m also referring to your design ideas and how much are or should be conforming to the design brief. Sometimes clients think they know what they’re looking for, but if through testing you spot an area where you can improve on their idea, never hesitate to let them know.

4. Let It Cool

Anyone who has ever tried to put frosting on piping hot cupcakes knows that, well, it just never works. The cupcakes are too hot, and the frosting has a pesky habit of melting all over the place, creating a sticky mess rather than a fluffy swirl. It’s agonizing, I know, but cupcakes must be allowed to cool after removing from the oven. And so should your designs.

Don’t just rush off a new design straight from your computer to the client’s inbox. Let it “cool” first, coming back to look over it again once your brain has had a chance to digest things a bit. Sometimes, what looked “right” one day can often transform right before your eyes the next, and be the completely wrong solution for your client’s problem. Giving things time to “rest” after you take them out of the oven is a time-honored baking tradition, and you should do no less with your designs.

Of course, you may not have a whole day to put your work away and not look at it – deadlines can loom and you need to get something to the client on time. But even just a 15 to 30 minute break can work wonders and be enough to give you a fresh perspective.

5. Function Is Delicious

In a cupcake, everything has a function. Really! Think about it – when was the last time you saw a baker simply adding in extra ingredients in a batch of cupcakes that had no business being there? A boring old vanilla or chocolate cupcake can be made interesting and gourmet if you add one or two exotic ingredients – maybe some juicy chunks of mango, or a dash of ginger. But put in too many of those things and you’ll just end up with an inedible failure on a plate.

In your designs, if something has no function, get rid of it. Every designer worth his or her salt should know this, and to be fair, most do. But we all forget sometimes – I know I do! A simple reminder is sometimes all you need to pare down your work to its barest essentials. In my case, I simply think of cupcakes. When I’m looking at a design that looks too cluttered, I ask myself: ‘if this were a cupcake, would it taste good?’

Yes, you read that right. I really ask myself that. And it works. If a design is working and everything is simplified as much as it can be while still offering something new and unique, I consider that a successful and delicious cupcake that I would enjoy eating. But if something is off, I might just have a sweet nightmare on my hands!

Translating your designs to a different medium, even if its just hypothetical, is a simple but effective way to ensure they work from any perspective.

The post The Cupcake Method for Improving Your Design Workflow appeared first on Speckyboy Design Magazine.

We have to trust, for example, that it’s secure, respects our privacy, and works as expected. In other words: we need to believe that the developer has created an app with good intentions and that using it won’t result in any intentional harm.

That belief is tested daily. Security flaws, malicious attacks, and all manner of bugs pose huge challenges. And so much of an app’s reputation depends on how the developer responds to these crises.

But as we are seeing more frequently, trust isn’t solely dependent on an app’s primary developer. That responsibility also spreads to any third-party scripts and libraries their product utilizes.

One prime example is the Log4j vulnerability. A flaw in this popular logging library from Apache made it possible for an actor to arbitrarily run malicious code. Its effects could be devastating.

As if this weren’t bad enough, patching the vulnerability became incredibly complex due to how many other apps and service providers utilize Log4j. This meant that each app had to upgrade its copy of the library, then distribute the fix to users. The process has to repeat again and again.

For web designers, this hits home on several levels. We put our trust into many apps (particularly open-source). And many have third-party dependencies. It puts us and our clients at risk.

Let’s take a deeper look at the issue and what web designers can do to stay safe.

Open-Source Software Is of Special Concern

The saga of Log4j has opened up a proverbial can of worms regarding open-source software in particular. In the United States, the White House held a meeting with top tech firms regarding the security of widely-used foundational software that is maintained by volunteers.

Popular examples include WordPress, Node.js, React Native, and OpenSSL. Beyond that, Google has published a list of over 100,000 projects that are deemed “critical”. They’re relied on by everyone from governments, corporations, educational institutions – right down to personal and small business websites.

This does not mean that any of the items on the list are inherently insecure. Rather, it’s a measure of the potential impact a security flaw could have. As the OpenSSF Securing Critical Projects Working Group (WG) states:

“For our purposes, a critical OSS (open-source software) project is an OSS project that can have an especially large impact if it has a significant unintentional vulnerability, or if it is subverted in either its source repository or distribution package(s).”

Volunteers and Limited Resources

To state the obvious, security holes are not limited to open-source software. Big proprietary projects from the likes of Apple, Microsoft, and other behemoths of tech also have their fair share.

The difference is that these companies have the resources to ensure any issues, once discovered, are promptly fixed. Projects that rely on volunteers may not have such luxuries. Some may need to scramble to find someone knowledgeable who can take appropriate action in a timely manner.

And if a project is no longer maintained? It places a huge target on anyone using that software – whether they know it or not.

The beauty of these projects is that their volunteers are incredibly dedicated. We’ve often saluted those who work behind the scenes of WordPress, for example. The willingness of people to contribute their time and talents is a wonderful thing.

But as Morten Rand-Hendriksen points out, some major systemic issues need to be addressed:

“We are acting as if these are still little hobby projects we’re hacking away at in our parents basements. In reality, they are mission-critical, often at government levels, and what got us here is no longer sufficient to get us anywhere but chaos.”

It’s admirable that a group of people, no matter how small or far-flung, can build an app that makes an impact on the world. But there are no assurances that the project will be sustainable over the long term. That can be problematic.

What Can Web Designers Do?

As web designers, we are in an awkward position. So much of what we do these days relies on open-source projects. And we reap the benefits of them every day.

The good news is that none of the issues outlined above means we have to abandon open source – nor should we. There is too much value in simply turning our backs on our favorite projects. If enough of us did so, that would likely make the situation worse.

Instead, we should carefully consider the apps we are using. Gain an understanding of the project, who’s involved, and the challenges they face. Look at its reputation within the industry and its longevity. Examine its changelog and see how often updates are released. Consider volunteering your time if you are able.

It’s also important to look at which third-party dependencies are associated with a project. This can be difficult to discern, but worth the effort.

Then there’s the role of service providers such as web hosts and APIs. They are additional links in this chain. Because, even if we’re certain that an app we installed is safe, we also need to rely on these providers to maintain their systems as well. Monitor them as best you can and don’t be afraid to ask questions.

Placing blind trust in software is not a wise choice. And while it may feel nearly impossible to keep up with all of this, it’s now a necessary part of the job.

Truthfully, we won’t be able to catch every issue before it becomes something bigger. But we can keep an ear to the ground and be proactive about the software we’re using.

The post The Growing Difficulty of Trusting Modern Software appeared first on Speckyboy Design Magazine.

Just think – WordPress powers nearly half of all websites. Google Chrome is the browser of choice for nearly two-thirds of all users. Popular JavaScript frameworks such as React and Vue are continuing to grow. And toolkits such as Bootstrap offer readymade layouts and UI elements.

That’s not to say that we’ve completely run out of options. But it does mean that much of what we create shares some common attributes. Whether it’s a content management system (CMS), the Google Fonts we use, or even a theme – websites are more alike than ever.

There are downsides to this evolution. For example, a single dominant web browser brings legitimate concerns about security, privacy, and innovation. Less competition could have a negative impact in any of these areas.

But some good things come with this, too. And the positive effects of a more consolidated web are our focus today. Let’s look at what this means for the web design community.

We Have More Foundational Knowledge

In days past, the web was experimental for developers. Many tools became available for building and maintaining websites. The roll-your-own CMS, for example, was a popular way to let clients manage their content.

This was effective on an individual basis. But it wasn’t necessarily meant to work at scale. If you inherited a site that was built with a bespoke CMS, you might have had difficulty understanding how things work. Even simple tasks could require a lot of trial and error.

Systems like WordPress and Drupal came along and provided a common foundation. Now, taking over an existing website is a much different experience. We already know how to create a page or update software. There’s plenty of documentation to guide us.

Websites can still be comprised of a disparate collection of themes and plugins. But they’re running on a common platform. Thus, the starting point for building or troubleshooting is further ahead. We don’t have to worry about building everything from scratch. Nor do we need to spend hours learning the basics.

There Are Trusted Solutions to Big Challenges

Let’s take a trip back in time. Suppose it’s the year 2005. A client has asked you to build them an eCommerce site. How would you approach it? Now, think about how that approach may be different today.

Odds are, you’d have difficulty finding a stable, readymade solution. There were some niche shopping carts available back then. And there were plenty of fly-by-night providers who made big promises. But it was nearly impossible to know if they could deliver. It was all too easy to make the wrong choice.

Over time, many of those providers were weeded out as segment leaders emerged. eCommerce is still a challenge. But web designers now have a solid group of options to choose from. It’s not so much about finding one that will still exist in a year. Rather, it’s about finding a match for your project requirements.

The same can be said for other niches that require specialized functionality. Categories such as membership websites, online education, and rich media can be built more solidly and cheaply. Thus, identifying the right software is easier and less of a risk.

More Efficient Design and Build Processes

It stands to reason that more reliable options produce greater efficiency. That’s not to say the journey isn’t without its bumps. But it’s easier to see the light at the end of the tunnel.

Apps like WordPress allow for a faster start. And the same can be said of the various frameworks out there. Choose a well-established UI package, for example, and you’ll have a proven set of elements to work with. From there, it’s a matter of customizing these items to fit your needs.

Likewise, a JavaScript framework can simplify the process of building an application. Their built-in functionality means that there is no need to reinvent the wheel.

And the tools we use also play a part. Modern apps such as Figma and Sketch allow us to create a functional UI and more easily convert it to code. We can use them to build design systems that last throughout a project’s lifespan.

The Web Is All Grown Up

The web has transformed from its bespoke Wild West roots to a fully-fledged consumer marketplace. This is the result of a lot of experimentation by developers. Not to mention the emergence of corporate influencers such as Google, Facebook, and Automattic.

We can argue about how much influence corporations should have over the industry. But innovation hasn’t slowed down. It has shifted in scope, though. Much of it involves tie-ins with existing platforms and tools. And we’re only beginning to see the effects of the AI revolution.

In that sense, we’re not seeing many innovators try to become the next Google. They’re more likely to develop ways to make better use of its tools.

In all, it’s a good time to be a web designer. We no longer spend hours wondering how we’re going to accomplish a task. We have better resources at our disposal.

That means we can focus on perfecting the user experience and simply getting things done.

The post The Bright Side of an Increasingly Homogeneous Web appeared first on Speckyboy Design Magazine.

The industry seems to be going against the grain on that last one. New tools are continually being introduced – which is great. However, with them comes an expectation that designers will race ahead and dive in headfirst.

Or, at least it feels that way. It seems like we’re being pressured from all sides to adopt the “next big thing”, lest we be left in the dust.

In my thoroughly unscientific observation, many web designers appear to be frustrated with the state of things. Today, we’ll talk about why that is and how taking a step back could be the solution.

Trusted Apps Are Switching Gears

Nowhere is the seismic shift more visible than with WordPress. The massively popular content management system has undergone significant changes in the past few years. The Gutenberg block editor and its related features make for an entirely different experience.

Virtually every aspect of building websites and creating content has shifted. Depending on who you ask, these changes are either infuriating or the dawn of a new era. Regardless, there has been a great amount of pressure for web designers to adapt.

Whether it’s the editor itself or the introduction of block-based themes/Full Site Editing (FSE), there appears to be a good bit of sentiment that these changes are being forced upon web professionals.

That being said, there are alternative ways to use and build with WordPress. The Classic Editor is still supported, and the traditional methods of theme creation will continue to work. No one can fully predict the future, but it seems reasonable that they’ll be around for a while.

So, why would anyone feel forced into using something they aren’t very excited about? I think a lot of it has to do with how these new features are presented.

In the case of WordPress, Gutenberg became the default editor. It was front and center, whether you wanted it or not. And if you want to go back to the old way, you’re required to install a plugin.

Intended or not, this type of action establishes a narrative for users. It says, “The new way is here, and we want you to start using it immediately.”

Outside Pressure from Big Tech

Pressure doesn’t just come from software makers. It even goes beyond our peers and clients (as if that weren’t enough). Sometimes it can come from outside parties that have a vested interest in what happens on the web.

Take, for example, the various initiatives that Google has implemented over the years. Whether it’s a tweak to their search algorithm, the demands of its Core Web Vitals metrics, or the push for publishers to adopt Accelerated Mobile Pages (AMP) – the company holds a lot of sway when it comes to how we build websites.

It’s easy to see how web designers might feel at the mercy of this and other tech-heavyweights. We naturally want our websites to perform well and be easily found in search engines. Thus, it’s on us to integrate their recommendations and preferences into our work.

And it makes sense that we’d gravitate towards the companion products and services these companies offer. If we’re trying to satisfy a particular requirement, it’s logical to use tools that live within that ecosystem. They give us the best chance to succeed, even if we’re not thrilled at the prospect of using them.

Again, there’s a feeling of being forced into this type of arrangement. It’s especially relevant in client work, where your job is to provide the best path for achieving their goals. Sure, there are alternatives. But there is also risk in going a different route.

The Impact on Web Designers

What does this all mean for web designers? For one, it can lead to frustration. Among the root causes could be the great investment we make in these tools and technologies. A lot of effort goes into learning them, only to feel as though the rug is being pulled out from underneath.

There can also be a bit of uncertainty. When it comes to new features, things tend to evolve quickly. What counts as a best practice today might be very different tomorrow. The result is that designers are left wondering about the right time to make a move.

In addition, the disruptive nature of such changes tends to throw a monkey-wrench into the daily workflow. Whether it’s a new editing experience or a different coding language, it can be a struggle to get up to speed.

For some, the change is all too much. I’ve seen several instances of designers and developers leaving behind both tools and communities that they’ve contributed to.

One can make the argument that there will always be some level of attrition. And while that’s true, it’s also a negative when longtime contributors become disillusioned to the point of walking away.

That’s not to say everyone will come to this conclusion. However, it does speak to the issue.

Taking a Holistic View

The way we work isn’t just a professional concern. For many of us, it’s personal. We get attached to not only the tools we use but also to the routines we form along the way.

As such, some changes can be especially challenging. Add to that the prominent way new features or standards are thrust upon us and it’s no wonder there’s a sense of being forced to comply.

Yet it’s also worth taking a step back and looking at the situation holistically. Quite often, there are still options within the CMS, framework, or service provider you’re working with. They may require some additional action on your part, but they’re available nonetheless.

Unless there is a major security or functionality concern, it’s usually fine to stick with your current workflow. That “amazing” new way of doing things will still be there (or not) whenever you’re ready.

And that’s the great thing about being a web designer. No matter what changes, you have a say in how you work. That’s worth remembering as the web keeps on evolving.

The post How Web Designers Are Adapting to Industry Changes appeared first on Speckyboy Design Magazine.