The Problem With Freelance Web Design
Posted by admin in NONE design on May 22, 2011
Thinking of going freelance?
If you are a web designer and you are thinking about taking the step into the freelance arena this article may be of interest to you.
Until fairly recently I worked as a freelance web designer and developer although now I mainly focus on affiliate marketing. After many years of working in dead-end jobs I decided that I wanted to be a web designer, as many people do. What attracted me to the role was that the job had both creative and technical elements and I felt like it was something I could excel at. Not only that but I wanted a job where there would be an opportunity to work freelance. I had a vision of a perfect job. Now, after several years I have realised how much stress can be involved in working as a freelance web designer. Everyday I’m having to deal with ignorant, self-important and unprofessional customers that lack any sense of integrity.
I spend most of my time hustling, negotiating, quoting, working for mates-rates, chasing payments, waiting for content, clarifying poorly implemented briefs, reluctantly providing free technical support, waiting for customers to return from unscheduled camping trips in order hear their feedback on a design. I have many customers with absolutely no creative talent yet insist on involving themselves in every step of the design process. Sometimes there are customers who have messed around with software such as Dreamweaver or Photoshop and therefore think they can do my job. When I try to explain the importance of factors such as design flexibility, usability, accessibility, cross-browser compatibility, search engine optimisation etc. They make subtle insinuations that I am trying to “pull the wool over their eyes” in order to make a few extra quid.
Some customers have suggested that working on their “exciting” project will be a good opportunity for me as it will provide publicity for my services as well as look good on my portfolio. It is as if they think I’m a college student trying to get my foot in the door. They will then try to tell me that If all goes well there should be plenty more work available. By that they mean uploading some photos to their website once a month or perhaps they know a friend of a friend who is thinking of having a website built for their band.
The Latest Emerging Gadgets and Technology
Posted by admin in NONE design on May 22, 2011
There are numerous gadgets being created for the next coming years to help people, for fun and others for more practical purposes. Many have been created to change our household comfort, safety and weekend entertainment.
Australia, a continent known for it’s hot weather, over the last few years has been trying to develop new ways to save water. Caroma launched their water saving invention last year with the waterless urinal, called the H2Zero. It caused quite a splash at the Australian 2007 design awards. It is estimated that every flush wastes two litres of water. The H2Zero wastes none.
The design is different from other versions, which had problems with excessive urinal smells and noises that sounded like “a build up of waste matter.” The H2Zero flushes these problems away with an airtight separation unit as well as a deodorising block in the main cartridge just in case.
If companies start installing these water-saving urinals, Australia should save gallons of water. Hopefully with designs like this emerging in the country, water problems will dry up.
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