THE ORGANISATIONAL BIBLE
A link for info on files, organising, and file types. Consider it an organisational bible
Do read the above, even in small snippets.
ORGANISATION
On organisation – it doesn’t matter how you organise your folders, as long as it is very clear to you.
For file and folder names – we use hyphens, not spaces or underscores.
Here’s the best suggested practice for beginners:
CONTENT OUT
Do NOT use lorem ipsum. Remember we build from the “content out”. How does the content influence the design? Layout has to be meaningful. We do not design first.
“Content precedes design. Design in the absence of content is not design, it’s decoration.” Jeffrey Zeldman
Who are you designing for? Remember it’s not about what YOU like. What do people need?
PROTOTYPES
Learn to prototype well using HTML and CSS.
Mockups are no longer the way to do things. They are static. We should go straight from wireframing to prototypes we can interact with. The client should get a real feel for the product straight away.
IDEAS
Do not dismiss the importance of pen and paper. It can be an effective tool for brainstorming.
We should always have evidence of the design process. The tools are not important.
Write down your ideas. Even if they are stupid to you.
SOFTWARE:
We have access to Adobe Creative Cloud tools.
There are no perfect apps.
Affinity Photo and other programmes are alternatives to Adobe. Figma and Sketch are other alternatives.
Ultimately the choice is software is no longer important. There are many choices, so use what you have access to. Just get on with it.
FILE SHARING AND BACKUPS
More than one backup – on your machine, an external drive, and also online.
CarbonCopyCloner is one piece of software that aids backup to an external drive, and SYNC is a tool for online backup. Have now made a SYNC account and uploaded my files to it.
Never rely on a single copy of your work. Set this up ASAP.
PEOPLE OF THE WEB
Notable industry people:
READING MATERIAL
Jeffrey Zeldman – Designing with Web Standards is a hugely significant book. Jeremy Keith has put the ideas into easier to understand terminology, but this book is still worth reading for context.
Don’t forget A List Apart articles.
Check out work by Eric Meyer and his writings on CSS.
Take a look at Dave Shea’s Zen Garden. Look at how different the CSS can make a site look despite the HTML remaining the same.
Remember you have access to Linkedin Learning.
Read as much as you can from the recommended material.
Clear Left – a well-known agency in Brighton. They do internships.