Now, onto the theming portion of the website. While the live site greets new authors and submissions, Ill be theming Nista to something slightly more suited to this website's desired look and feel. So far, I have gained lots of experience on managing the back end functions of the site though. I'm also getting more familiar with errors pertaining to Drupal having a conflict with the server's php.ini settings. In fact, after 3 or so migrations, I'm getting better at doing live>staging>live server migrations. In fact, I didn't grit my teeth this morning when I took the live site and cloned it back onto my staging server.
In other news, I did get a part time job at a local confectionery wholesaler. Ill be working as an independent contractor in giving some new looks to the company's packaging. There is a diverse amount of candy that comes through there so that means lots of label design and templates. I cant wait to start work there but for now, I'm channeling new designs according to my boss' references of designs he likes.
As the winter snow comes my way, I get ready to hunker down. I dream of a snow day where I can actually get my workaholic self to break away and just study Drupal all day with the 2 books I purchased this last summer. Today I shall be wrapping presents for my family and friends. Next week, is backup time, which I must plan my work schedule around. Holiday celebrations in the 2009 Recession is getting off to a slow but fantastic start.
Concerns Regarding Frankness and Professionalism
One reasoning that my marketing may be a weakness for me, is my inability to really write about myself. I find myself an awkward teenager forced to present something about him/herself in front of a class of very easily bored and unimpressed people. Job interviews probably also suffer because of this.
So, the bio of the website remains unwritten. I wish I could be like this guy and explain myself casually and feel secure that my statements aren't too casual. Talking about myself passionately seems to posses a finer line between passionate and over-the-top, than other web designers who keep the creativity more low key. I know there are other orange haired web designers out there who have probably struggled with this. Trust me, Im debating and shuddering to think about what my bio picture would be.
Its a fine line between giving people an idea that you are a colorful human being outside of what you code, and giving out enough information that creates more of a problem and obscures the very skillset you are trying to display.
So, the bio of the website remains unwritten. I wish I could be like this guy and explain myself casually and feel secure that my statements aren't too casual. Talking about myself passionately seems to posses a finer line between passionate and over-the-top, than other web designers who keep the creativity more low key. I know there are other orange haired web designers out there who have probably struggled with this. Trust me, Im debating and shuddering to think about what my bio picture would be.
Its a fine line between giving people an idea that you are a colorful human being outside of what you code, and giving out enough information that creates more of a problem and obscures the very skillset you are trying to display.
Freelance Follies/ Link Mania!
Im back into having more free time to code what I want, having only the XC project on my plate. Here is what I have so far:
I also did finish the Lost Trekker project, pretty much on time. However, communication was not always in the best balance. Until this client, I had only heard about the kind of incidents that can make freelancing a nightmare.
Most of it was my fault because, in a moment of expensive car repairs, I had to break 2 business-oriented principles--lowballing myself and not having it all done in writing
As Im further realizing that my freelance business can have online prescense again (due to the contributions of a friend for server space), I have been going over some sites that give me an idea of how I want to present myself both visually and how information is displayed. Here are a few sites with designs that inspire me:
As well, I am also finding articles that cover more of the marketing side of things....
I will continue to get more ideas about marketing, presentation of information and how to give the best pricing for what Im worth without over or undercharging. Until then, I leave you with this:
Article: What Web Designers Can Learn from Print Designers
I also did finish the Lost Trekker project, pretty much on time. However, communication was not always in the best balance. Until this client, I had only heard about the kind of incidents that can make freelancing a nightmare.
Most of it was my fault because, in a moment of expensive car repairs, I had to break 2 business-oriented principles--lowballing myself and not having it all done in writing
As Im further realizing that my freelance business can have online prescense again (due to the contributions of a friend for server space), I have been going over some sites that give me an idea of how I want to present myself both visually and how information is displayed. Here are a few sites with designs that inspire me:
- FictionalHead Design
- Shape Shed - They are also using the Portfolio Extension in Joomla and have good ideas on how to utilize everything for what it is worth
As well, I am also finding articles that cover more of the marketing side of things....
- Jonathan World Pricing Info - A part-time template designer's rates. Listed with some extensive detail to ensure proper communication
- Van SEO Design - Another good guide that gives me an idea of how people with higher skillsets than I are putting some detail into figuring costs.
I will continue to get more ideas about marketing, presentation of information and how to give the best pricing for what Im worth without over or undercharging. Until then, I leave you with this:
Article: What Web Designers Can Learn from Print Designers
Restructuring Deadlines
No sooner did I get some of my working groove back, and my personal life presented me with many challenges. Namely, very bad luck with cars and a sick dog. Im not a big believer of astrology but I sure wondered about Mercury in Retrograde having anything to do with my car woes.
Shortly after getting back, I did come across a job. Its going to pay me far less than I normally would take for a Wordpress Template, but this is one of those times where any money is good and so I was willing to lowball myself. :(
Things are almost done. After this one is done, I am going to make a point to look up what other good self-hosted gallery plugins can work besides NextGEN Gallery. I really like NextGEN but sadly most adblocker browser plugins do not like the slideshow part of things.
Im determined to make some headway with other projects but, I admit, Im a bit behind.
Shortly after getting back, I did come across a job. Its going to pay me far less than I normally would take for a Wordpress Template, but this is one of those times where any money is good and so I was willing to lowball myself. :(
Things are almost done. After this one is done, I am going to make a point to look up what other good self-hosted gallery plugins can work besides NextGEN Gallery. I really like NextGEN but sadly most adblocker browser plugins do not like the slideshow part of things.
Im determined to make some headway with other projects but, I admit, Im a bit behind.
In the Meantime
Back from my vacation and slowly getting back into some productivity flow, Im finding myself with new projects already. Money is tight for a freelance web designer I suppose. It is sort of a letdown. This time should be used to work on my portfolio at some point now that I got some hosting for it.
Still, I have taken on a few projects and re-prioritized others. Its giving me more portfolio material so I guess it is not all bad. Still, I had hoped to have my .com site up sometime before this month ends.
Because of the length of my Labor Day Getaway, I used the time to kind of reset myself. It seems like it might help me clear some clutter and balance aspects of my daily fill of tasks and activities.
Mary's Mindmap
Still, I have taken on a few projects and re-prioritized others. Its giving me more portfolio material so I guess it is not all bad. Still, I had hoped to have my .com site up sometime before this month ends.
Because of the length of my Labor Day Getaway, I used the time to kind of reset myself. It seems like it might help me clear some clutter and balance aspects of my daily fill of tasks and activities.
Mary's Mindmap
Portfolio Site for Rosettes and CSS
Honestly, Im almost never attached to the idea of using this blog to express personal opinion outside of code, layout methods, opinions on CMS tool, etc... Here is one of those rare occasions where Ill be a bit frank. Excuse me.
My portfolio could be ready soon, and Im pretty tongue tied. A portfolio is about showing your work to whomever comes across your site. Trust me, even the audience you are not sending your marketing tools towards could stumble upon your site. Thats why my portfolio project is at a standstill....I dont know what to say!
I am just a bit curious on how I might market myself properly on my professional graphic and web design portfolio site. Marketing is not one of my strengths to be honest. Talking about myself in a promotional way always seems strange when I try it. I never know what to say and, fear giving out too much information. When I have to talk about myself I usually babble and I am not a fan of "filler"/fluff content.
I'm using this Joomla Module and I seem to have room for:
A basic "Hey, this is my portfolio" paragraph
Short intro under the title of each Category.
Footer Content that is throughout the portfolio's sections
Category specific information paragraph
Potential Header Content in each category (what is this for? Title?)
The link above shows how it all lays out and comes together. These fields are the fields that are provided in a CMS extension Im using on Joomla. They are all optional (I could leave them blank). Still I ask, what could I provide for these above areas?
Honestly, when I think about the audience I am attempting to reach/market my services to....I dont have any specific audience that Im looking to market to. Im game for anything. I want to cater to small business, big businesses, people who need a personal website, and any type of person.
For example, I will admit here that I have done some sites that have to do with "fetish" or are on the "adult" side. *blushes* If Ted Christian was to stumble upon my porfolio, how would I keep from alienating him? Should I seperate that kind of content out to keep it getting mixed in with with eveything else (most of my content is very general)? Is disclaimer of "This content does not necessarily reflect my views" necessary to assure a "squeaky clean" client that Im not some perv with code?
Mary's Personal Summer of Code
Among a part time gig as a mascot down at the local ballpark, I am using this summer to start getting a bit back to me. Despite that I had my Drupal project get revoked (again!) I found myself a bit more indifferent to it. Other projects (some overdue) were awaiting me and I had enough of this. Besides, I did gain a contact who may be able to provide a hosting solution for Rosettes and CSS. My week long vacation looms at the end of this month so I can see using it as a time of "breaking character" and rebuilding anew upon a rested mindset.
Due to these things, personal projects are the order of the day when put up against doing work for other people. I wont lie and say that I have enough portfolio material, but I know that if I keep taking on everyone else's projects than none of my stuff gets done and this blog will continue to be stuck on Blogger vs actually having it on my own domain with portfolio.
Im finding out more quirks involved with Joomla modules, components or plugins. In K2, CAPCHA was enabled but without the reCAPCHA registration key set. Thats why stylesheets were being ignored. That still seems like a strange bug rather than human error to me but I guess K2 is that new. I mean, look at the lack of documentation in the backend's Documentation buttion within the K2 sub-sections. Seems the social bookmarking problem also righted itself.
Speaking of K2, 2.0 is officially out. I already was tweaking with the July release and found it to make me feel that much better about using Joomla as my portfolio's site. Stepping outside my comfort zone is important to me, and blogging with Joomla is that much easier with K2 around.
Joomla sure is a different animal. I have done at least one re-install/recovery due to human error. Lots of clunkyness to someone with my background of other programs that I have learned. Joomla must represent a different way of thinking that seems convuluted to other people. It seems that you have to use the Menu system to set what loads in the Front Page (if you dont want to use the standard "load newest article" method of creating the dynamic front page content.
So, all going very well. I have yet to work on a template but I figure Ill do that once I get time in my workweek to put some blog entres there and start on my portfolio. I imagine with Joomla's quirks, that Ill be surprised/confused again and again until I reach the peak of the experience.
Due to these things, personal projects are the order of the day when put up against doing work for other people. I wont lie and say that I have enough portfolio material, but I know that if I keep taking on everyone else's projects than none of my stuff gets done and this blog will continue to be stuck on Blogger vs actually having it on my own domain with portfolio.
Im finding out more quirks involved with Joomla modules, components or plugins. In K2, CAPCHA was enabled but without the reCAPCHA registration key set. Thats why stylesheets were being ignored. That still seems like a strange bug rather than human error to me but I guess K2 is that new. I mean, look at the lack of documentation in the backend's Documentation buttion within the K2 sub-sections. Seems the social bookmarking problem also righted itself.
Speaking of K2, 2.0 is officially out. I already was tweaking with the July release and found it to make me feel that much better about using Joomla as my portfolio's site. Stepping outside my comfort zone is important to me, and blogging with Joomla is that much easier with K2 around.
Joomla sure is a different animal. I have done at least one re-install/recovery due to human error. Lots of clunkyness to someone with my background of other programs that I have learned. Joomla must represent a different way of thinking that seems convuluted to other people. It seems that you have to use the Menu system to set what loads in the Front Page (if you dont want to use the standard "load newest article" method of creating the dynamic front page content.
So, all going very well. I have yet to work on a template but I figure Ill do that once I get time in my workweek to put some blog entres there and start on my portfolio. I imagine with Joomla's quirks, that Ill be surprised/confused again and again until I reach the peak of the experience.