Starting To Build A Website?

Starting To Build A Website?

When designing for the web, people often look over the thing people want to see most and try to design a flashy looking website. The main thing any user wants to see is the content, not an over cluttered, over powering website. If you want a website that is well organized, and easy to navigate; then you want to design a minimalist website.

The first thing to remember when designing any website, is that the less clutter you have going on in your site - the easier it is for your user to know where they are going. Start with sketches, build them as simply as you can, and try to follow them when you start to build your site.

 

The next step in designing any website is to just start designing it. Get on the computer and start to throw some mock-ups together. While you’re doing this, eliminate as much clutter as you can; the more clutter, the more your user has to look through. Some of the best websites I’ve come across have also been some of the simplest. They don’t just look good, but they feel like they’ve had consideration put into everything, every aspect is considered and a hierarchy is established that makes sense. The next step is to of course establish that hierarchy. I don’t just mean typographically, but based on the content. Where do you put your login if you have one? What are the first thing people might want to see? These are questions you need to ask yourself in order to create a good system. 

Following these steps, you should come out with a decent looking template by now. Now go with it! Expand upon it, code it or bring it into whatever you’re using and actually build it to see what you can achieve and what you want to do with it. Try and keep the user in mind – like any piece of work, it’s easy to get sucked in and forget about the end product and who it’s reaching.

So lets see what we already know; if you want a website that has a clear, distinct direction with minimal static, then minimalism is your go to. Create a website focused around the content, not the users experience when visiting the site.

A Separate Studio is a Focused Mind

I don’t know about you, but working from home is tough. Sure, having the luxury of an at-home studio is real nice, but mix it with a bossy cat or two, a comfy bed calling your name for a mid-day nap, that food in the fridge that’s just begging to be made into a delicious “I can’t focus snack” and the ever appealing sunny sky beaming onto your desk, asking for you to just go outside and forget your work, doesn’t pay the bills. It’s hard to realize that something has to change in order to get your mind on track. No one actually likes to admit that what they’re doing isn’t working, or that you’re distracted or unfocussed, but it happens to us all and the sooner you realize it’s not working for you, the sooner you can adjust your situation to be on the beautiful path of focused greatness. 

There are tons of options for spaces to work in (some more private than others), but figure out what works for you. I always recommend testing the “free” options first, to save money. But if you’re in this for the long-term, investing in a studio space is a smart move.

SPACES THAT ARE FREE

• Coffee Shops/ Cafes
• Parks
• The Free Library
• The Zoo
• Someone’s Stoop (find a free wi-fi account outside!)
• Book Stores

SPACES THAT ARE NOT FREE, BUT AFFORDABLE WITH A STEADY INCOME

• The Paper Mill ($100/mo WHAAAT?)    
• The Crane Arts Studios ($280/mo +) 
• The Loom Studios
• Cedar Works ($230-$560/mo)
• The Viking Mill ($300/mo+)
• 1241 Studio

There are a ton of other studios, I just can't remember them all. Going to First Fridays at some local studios is a great way to see if there are spaces available t o rent. A sneaky tip: Look around and see who the worst artist is at the show - their time in that studio space is probably limited. 

Craigslist is also a magical place, where people might offer a small, dusty corner in their already rented studio (if you don’t need much space it’s a great option). 

TIPS FOR CRAIGSLIST

• Don’t judge it by the images online, it could be a knockout space with crappy photos
• See as many as possible and give yourself options (if that’s a luxury you have)
• Look at the map to see if the space is within a reasonable distance to you (not 20 miles away)

This advice applies to current students and post graduates. Even if you’re working a 9-5 job, having a separate space outside of your home is a great way to keep your creative mind working, even if just for a couple hours a week. If you’re doing freelance work it also works great as a mini office and space to meet clients (if you’re organized/not a weird decorator). 

SIDE NOTES

• Make sure the place you're looking into has a bathroom...that works...
• If those prices seem insane to you, and you don’t have a 9-5 or steady income, take up some side work as a dog/cat walker. You’ll easily make $200-300/mo to pay for your studio, while having a nice stress-free furry friend walk. 

Eat Your Homework

This is a really crazy time for everybody, I think that goes without saying. Not a lot of sleep and a lot of stress often leads to some pretty negative things, both physical and mental. Anxiety and depression increase while our immune systems and self-esteem decreases.

It's rough.

Don't forget to take care of yourselves, everybody! The absolute best you can. Yeah yeah, those sweet potato fries from the trucks outside are absolutely magical, but if you're going to function you'll need healthy food to eat, too. And no, sweet potato fries can't keep you going all week. Nor can a few cups of Richie's coffee when you're on an empty stomach. So, I've gathered a list of healthy recipes that are super simple, delicious, and packed with vitamins that will make you feel g r e a t.

My personal favorite: 
Sweet potatoes. The fries are great, but save money by buying a few at FroGro and stashing them in your kitchen. Before you run out to that 8am portfolio class, toss one in the microwave for 4 - 5 minutes, wrap it in foil, and by the time class is over you'll have a (still hot!) snack. It's a total game changer. And, according to Jason Kernevich, absolutely delicious with (specifically) goat butter.

Let's Talk About Eggs: 
Eggs! Wow! Cheap, protein-dense, and probably the most flexible nearly-life-form you'll ever get to cook. You can fry them, scramble them, do whatever with them, and they're pretty much always good. Omelettes make for a great dinner. Here's a simple recipe, Martha Stewart style.

Banana Pancakes 
Back off, Jack Johnson. You're gonna think I'm nuts, but trust me on this recipe. To make very simple banana pancakes, take one banana and two eggs. Mash that banana. Whisk those eggs. Mix 'em together. Fry 'em in a pan with butter or PAM or whatever you want. You can add chocolate chips, you can add blueberries, you can add whatever you want because the point is is that one banana and two eggs can actually make DELICIOUS pancakes. I promise, they do not taste like eggs. They taste like breakfast. Also good with peanut butter.

Those are my staples. Here are some more useful, delicious eats!

Remember guys. Your body is probably failing right now. Eat well, work better, and you'll be okay. And of course have some pizza every now and then.