I don't usually go through my previous posts and read what I've posted in the past, so I could very well be writing something I've already written. And to that I say: "So what?" Because, let's be real, I'm kind of selfish and I'm just going to do whatever I want, right? Right. Ok then. So with that said. Let us allow the particular post to get underway.
Simply put; it's time to overhaul my site. The operative question will be whether or not I intend to keep the current aesthetic intact or if I want to do something completely different. Before I argue the merits of either choice with myself I will elaborate as to what I mean by "Overhaul."
I just started a new job with Online Image in Murray, UT and I'm there as a web designer. Granted I have traditionally been a front end designer, the modern web design industry doesn't really differentiate from front and back end anymore.
My current website was built from nothing. It functions well enough and I'm happy with the end result, but there is one significant drawback to it. Any changes to it require "hard-coding." If I had developed this site for an end user that had absolutely no web design experience they would be forced to return to me to make updates. That's not entirely a bad thing. I can make money as a webmaster, being the administrator for clients. The only problem with this is that often times I am condemned to what I like to refer to as development hell. A realm in which a designer or developer waits patiently for his/her client to provide much needed information, content, or assets in order for a project to progress. And when one's life is directly tied to the completion, and collection of fees, for said project, development hell can cause some serious problems.
My solution for this is to offer someone a website with a built in CMS. I plan on working with WordPress as it is clearly the most popular content management system. So this brings me back to my initial question; keep the current aesthetic intact or go with a new look? As will be my first time creating a WordPress theme I think it would be quite an achievement to keep it looking the same. This would prove I can work within a specific project scope and still get to the end result I want. Unfortunately, this means my site won't really change much, aside from the way it gets updated.
Maybe I can create something that is new but is consistent with the look and feel of the current site.
Anyway, first thing's first. I need to backup the current html. Organize the content and then install WordPress. Oh yeah, this blog will cease to be used. which is quite unfortunate. I wonder if there's a blogger plugin for WordPress. That would save me a lot of time.
Showing posts with label Web Development. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Web Development. Show all posts
Tuesday, June 3, 2014
Sunday, June 1, 2014
Many Changes
It comes as no surprise that many things have happened in my life since the last time I've posted. I'll admit; I am not the most consistent in terms of blogging. If I had a webcam... Yeah... I don't have one. I would Vlog instead. Wait! I have a cell phone! Those have cameras!! Wow... I can't believe this just occurred to me. Ok... So I guess I'll be posting up my first ever Video Blog in the coming days/weeks.
Anyway so here I am, living in the greater Salt Lake City area in Utah. Yeah. I moved and this change came about in the most unexpected of ways, but I'd rather not elaborate on such matters. The important thing is that I have once again found myself in a different scene and, as always, I intend to make the most of it and I've already begun.
Since the move here I've already worked for UPS, then I was offered a better paying position with Guitar Center. The job at GC introduced me to a handful of people that I intend to create lasting friendships with. Most importantly, however, is the fact that I am moving onto yet another job, starting tomorrow. This will the the best paying job I've had in the past five years and it will allow me to make the most use of my skill set.
I will be a Web Designer for the company Online Image. I will be part of the Fulfillment Team and honestly, I'm not too sure exactly what that means. All I know is that I met with the CEO and I really like what they're doing there and I love the fact that I will be able to put my design skills into full practice here. Going forward this will only strengthen my design vocabulary and undoubtedly expand my skills with the programmatic side of Web Design.
I also have plans of returning to school in the Fall and going after my Bachelor's Degree (finally). I will be pursuing a degree in Web/Graphic Design. I know this seems redundant, but I want to know everything current with the field in order to further improve my place in this world.
Finally. The book is still a work in progress. I've been spending some time off practicing digital painting techniques, thanks to my library of Gnomon Workshop DVD's. I've also been practicing modeling in 3D with Sketchup. I intend to learn to use higher-end 3D modelling software like 3DS Max or Maya in the near future, but as I need to prioritize my time and money I will need to self teach those subjects. My plan is to compete in another Gnomon Workshop art challenge. I don't have to win, but if I can get in the top 3 then I will win at the very least 5 new DVD's and I can request 3D subjects this time around.
The real challenge is the upfront cost of the software. Both 3DS Max and Maya cost almost $3,700 each, but once I'm enrolled in school I will look into getting the student discounted versions. Once the money is there and I'm earning enough. I will spring for a full commercial license, but before that I need to get my new Wacom Cintiq Companion. It costs $2,700 and will enable me to work on my book from anywhere at anytime. At the very least I'd be able to sketch out my ideas on Painter X and Sketchup and then import those designs into Photoshop on my main rig for final paint over and touch ups.
And that's about it for now. An update from yours truly and my plans going into the rest of 2014.
Anyway so here I am, living in the greater Salt Lake City area in Utah. Yeah. I moved and this change came about in the most unexpected of ways, but I'd rather not elaborate on such matters. The important thing is that I have once again found myself in a different scene and, as always, I intend to make the most of it and I've already begun.
Since the move here I've already worked for UPS, then I was offered a better paying position with Guitar Center. The job at GC introduced me to a handful of people that I intend to create lasting friendships with. Most importantly, however, is the fact that I am moving onto yet another job, starting tomorrow. This will the the best paying job I've had in the past five years and it will allow me to make the most use of my skill set.
I will be a Web Designer for the company Online Image. I will be part of the Fulfillment Team and honestly, I'm not too sure exactly what that means. All I know is that I met with the CEO and I really like what they're doing there and I love the fact that I will be able to put my design skills into full practice here. Going forward this will only strengthen my design vocabulary and undoubtedly expand my skills with the programmatic side of Web Design.
I also have plans of returning to school in the Fall and going after my Bachelor's Degree (finally). I will be pursuing a degree in Web/Graphic Design. I know this seems redundant, but I want to know everything current with the field in order to further improve my place in this world.
Finally. The book is still a work in progress. I've been spending some time off practicing digital painting techniques, thanks to my library of Gnomon Workshop DVD's. I've also been practicing modeling in 3D with Sketchup. I intend to learn to use higher-end 3D modelling software like 3DS Max or Maya in the near future, but as I need to prioritize my time and money I will need to self teach those subjects. My plan is to compete in another Gnomon Workshop art challenge. I don't have to win, but if I can get in the top 3 then I will win at the very least 5 new DVD's and I can request 3D subjects this time around.
The real challenge is the upfront cost of the software. Both 3DS Max and Maya cost almost $3,700 each, but once I'm enrolled in school I will look into getting the student discounted versions. Once the money is there and I'm earning enough. I will spring for a full commercial license, but before that I need to get my new Wacom Cintiq Companion. It costs $2,700 and will enable me to work on my book from anywhere at anytime. At the very least I'd be able to sketch out my ideas on Painter X and Sketchup and then import those designs into Photoshop on my main rig for final paint over and touch ups.
And that's about it for now. An update from yours truly and my plans going into the rest of 2014.
Friday, March 28, 2014
Start of a new online presence
It's time for more web design work and since I don't have a paying client right now I'm going to reinvent my own website. I've been studying reponsive (fluid) design and after spending hours looking at really cool websites I've set my mind on a new direction.
As I'm a visual person I'm still going to make graphic mock ups in Photoshop. Three in total; Each mock up will be set to a predetermined (pixel) width; 960, 768, and 480. These widths will be a milestones, breaking points of sorts. Using CSS media queries I will be able to check for viewport dimensions and display the appropriate layout.
As I'm a visual person I'm still going to make graphic mock ups in Photoshop. Three in total; Each mock up will be set to a predetermined (pixel) width; 960, 768, and 480. These widths will be a milestones, breaking points of sorts. Using CSS media queries I will be able to check for viewport dimensions and display the appropriate layout.
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| This is a screenshot of a Google Chrome extension called "Window Resizer" it allows me to view any website at predetermined widths. It's a great tool for getting an idea of what a website might look like in different viewports. As it would be extremely tedious to create a layout for each one. I will only be focusing on three, the true responsive work will come later. Time for the mock ups. |
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