How the hell did I get here, and where am I going?
Sometimes I sit back and wonder about the journey I took to become a web designer. I started out as that kid you pay $20 to for something quick because they know a little bit about computers. I loved graphics, and making images. I would take poetry and images, and combine them through blends, with textures and other things I experimented with. A friend of mine from childhood knew a little bit about how to get started with a website; she had me going with Geocities in very little time. I was able to post my writing, my graphics, and explore a world I was only just beginning to learn about. Read more »
When going into design, the majority of students are bright-eyed and bushy-tailed. They were the kid who was always drawing and painting, the one whose parents probably covered their fridge in water colors. So, they would certainly think I’m crazy to say they should also program.
However, design is not art.
There, I said it.
One of the most common misconceptions I receive from my family is that I am in some shape or form an artist. While I do illustrations (such as the one pictured in this post – which, by the way, was inspired by this Adobe Illustrator coffee cup tutorial), I do not consider myself an artist. Granted, I am currently working toward a degree in software engineering, with design as my secondary major (and the way I put the food on the table), but this is why I have come to the conclusion that programming is an invaluable skill to any designer. Read more »
Facebook! Myspace! Twitter! What do all of these bring to mind?
Certainly not those stories of stalkers et cetera, or Internet predators. Of course, there’s always that danger for children, but I’m talking about using social media for practical use.
Networking is important as it can bring us the best opportunities in addition to allowing us to be more familiar with the people we are around. Social media is one form in which networking can be accomplished; through social media, networking is made much easier in that it opens us to the people of the Internet – billions and billions of users all across the world which may provide further opportunities to connect.
As I stated in my last post, some of the best ways to build a good network are to get out there, show an interest, and not be shy. The same is true of an online network; show an interest in other people, and they will show an interest in you. However, there is one other thing which people forget to do: be themselves. Read more »
Networking: a supportive system of sharing information and services among individuals and groups having a common interest (Dictionary.Com)
BeLink’d began with a network. Some people knew that I already managed a site – it’s not in existence anymore, but it surrounded my writing and graphics. But it wasn’t until I began networking that I found my own calling: to create web sites. Read more »
In my last post, I stated that to be successful, a person has to be interesting as well as take an interest. I explained very briefly a few ways in which this could be accomplished – namely, reading and getting out there. But how does this make a person successful?
First, let’s assess our definition of success.
What is success?
You might say that it’s being a big CEO. It’s being at the top of the pyramind in your field – the big cheese, the big guy with cars and money and a trophy wife. Or maybe success to you is being able to retire and live in the tropics. Is that what you feel will make you happy?
Certainly, I’d love to be able to retire and live in the tropics! However, I feel that that’s more something that comes after success. As for the other statement, have you ever heard the statement ‘money doesn’t buy happiness’? Unfortunately, it doesn’t. It might be able to give you more perks in life, but I feel that many people fall into the pitfall of money somehow purchasing their happiness for them.
Step one. Take a deep breath. Read more »
