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For designers
The perils of marketing
Several months ago I decided to sponsor a local technology networking event, to raise awareness of my company and hopefully make some good contacts.
see inside »Value pricing: The dirty little secret of graphic design
The value pricing system is an anachronistic trap that designers need to free ourselves from.
Imagine if your plumber charged you more to fix the toilet than the sink—even though it took the same number of hours—because a working toilet has more value to you. Or what if your mechanic quoted you a higher price than usual for a tune-up because you told him you were about to drive cross-country?
Believe it or not, this is how many graphic designers charge for their services.
see inside »Why you need to be on Twitter
When was the last time you were contacted personally by an airline representative after you experienced a late flight or lost luggage?
I recently tweeted a link to an article I'd written and within two days had received ten times as many hits to the page as my newsletter had generated
Okay, you don't need to be on Twitter. And sure, in a couple of years it'll be superseded by the next new hotness. However, those who dismiss it as a frivolous time-waster are way off the mark. Twitter's not going to replace other forms of communication, but it's a good indicator of how information is going to be disseminated in the coming years.
see inside »iPhone Wallpaper
Free iPhone wallpaper art for designers and others. Check them out and have fun!
see inside »Lessons from kung fu
If you can't measure yourself against others, measure yourself against how you were last week, or last year.
At my kung fu school, there was a sign on the wall written by the Grand Master that said, "My only students who failed to reach black belt are those who quit too soon." On the face of it, this sounds a little like everyone gets a trophy, regardless of skill. Except that a black belt isn't a trophy, it's an acknowledgment that you've put the work in.
see inside »UI pattern libraries, a list
This is a work in progress, motivated by self-interest, because I wanted to have a handy list of pattern libraries someplace where I'd remember to look.
see inside »The 7 stages of design grief
The design process is fraught with self-doubt and second-guessing. I'm not sure there's any cure for it, but if you've ever stared at a blank page or screen and wondered if this time the creative well has permanently dried, just know that you're not alone.
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