The Web Design process

Let's face it. Web is unavoidable. Might as well enjoy it and find ways to make it work for any or all design processes. Even if web isn't your bag, understanding the process will be beneficial. Our print-based design process includes research, concepting, sketching (thumbnails and roughs), comping and getting to the final solution. The web design process isn't that different. It just works a bit differently.

Save for Web

(or, how to save images correctly for your online portfolios and websites within it.)

Believe it or not, but there's a lot that goes into saving images correctly, a process called image optimization. Image optimization is one of the things that differeniates a pro from a newbie. Here are some tips to make sure your images are good to go!

(TYPE)

FACE IT!

Most websites are visited for content. Keep it readable.
And embrace white space. Seriously.

Body copy should run somewhere between 14px and 16px (or 1em in most cases).

And while we're talking about size, let's make sure we are clear that px (pixels) are not the same as pts (point size).

Always include line-height/leading on the web (a good minimum is 1.4 times more).

Typography MUST have a high contrast with background.

Not all fonts work on the web, so purchase affordable hosting like typekit.com or Google Font API.

Justified text can be just as awkward online as it can be on paper.

The is usually content the reason someone goes to a site. So content helps dictate design and not the other way around. As all the web design gurus say, design from content out.

This div was intentionally left blank

I wasn't kidding about the whole white space thing.

Online Portfolio Resources

Netiquette

The guide to all things proper & polite on the intertubes.

While you are still a student

Take advantage of any student discounts that you can, such as AIGA, Adobe C5S, Amazon Prime.

Hide yo' wife, hide yo' Facebook. No don't actually hide your spouse, just make your online presence more private. Both grandma and your future employer want to see you doing keg stands. You need to do this now, because Google takes time to remove it from their search.

Ask for recommendations from your professors (and give them at least 2-4 weeks to write them).

Before applying for a job(online)

Send a cover letter, resume and PDF portfolio (usually). Pay CLOSE attention to the job description requirements. Some companies will not contact you if directions are not followed.

Portfolio PDF is not more than 3MB. Learn to downsize your PDFs. They will not be printing your resume so "Smallest File Size" or 72dpi is just fine. Do not clog their inbox. Same for your resume PDF. Keep it short.

Do not use a cookie cutter cover letter. Write your own, and allow it to adapt to each place you apply, just like your portfolio would adapt. Depending on the job description requirements, generally the cover letter is directly typed into the email. Include a portfolio at the end of your letter.

After an interview

Send the interview a personal thank you e-mail regarding the interview.
Keep it short and kind. Repeat contact information.

Software & Other Technical Tools

Having the right tools can make a job a whole lot easier!

Tech terms you need to know

& why I won't get you the definitions

Whether you want to be a web-designer or not, knowing these terms will help you communicate with developers, clients or coworkers, should the occasion arise.

Why can't you have the definitions?

Being resourceful is a great skill to have. It's never to early to start.

Further Reading