http://receivedtext.org/articles/articles/ Articles at E-Articles R US en-us http://receivedtext.org/articles/articles/programming/html-and-web-programming/components-of-web-pages.html http://receivedtext.org/articles/articles/programming/html-and-web-programming/components-of-web-pages.html Mon, 23 Aug 2010 19:22:50 -0600


In web design, the term "masthead" refers to the top part of your web page. Historically a sailing term used to describe the tall vertical pole supporting the sails of a ship, its use in publishing holds a similar meaning. In publishing, a strong masthead can introduce a web page brilliantly, and trap users' attention in order to persuade them to continue reading. Mastheads can consist of images, brand logos and text. Mastheads are used to attract the attention of site visitors and clue them into what's to be found on that page and on your general site. Mastheads are usually designed with software like FreeHand, Photoshop and Illustrator, but using a free websites builder can be a nice time and money-saver. Your masthead's potential is huge, so don't underestimate it. Spend time designing this component to maximize its impact. Remember what the goal is here: to quickly tell visitors what your site is about, and why they should continue reading.

The Site's Content

The heart of any good website, content can be presented in a number of ways. The goal here is to make your content as readable as possible. The best content is arranged in a way that visitors don't have to think - it presents itself to them seamlessly in a way that naturally flows. There are several ways to achieve this. It's general practice to use two or three columns of text in your page layout. You might want to have one wider column for your key text, and narrower columns for additional content or advertising. Also, be sure to select a font that is easy on the eyes of your readers. Decorative, whimsical fonts are sometimes appropriate for branding but are extremely uncomfortable when presented in large sections of text. A good rule of thumb is to stay with what you know: Times New Roman, Verdana, Arial, Georgia and Tahoma. Alignment is also important. Unless you're writing your content in a foreign language that doesn't lend itself to Western reading patterns, always align your text on the left. Justified alignment might look best in print, but web typography is a whole other ballgame. Also, try to keep your lines limited to 10-12 words per line. This makes large sections of text easier to approach, and more likely to be read. Adjust column width and font size to achieve this balance.

Steering Visitors Around Your Site

The ease with which visitors can find information on your site is a vital component to any site's success. This is what navigation components are for. Navigation can include a menu bar on your homepage, hypertext in your content, and any other linkable content that quickly points visitors to relevant sections of your website. Many novice web designers fail on this task, and create convoluted sites with difficult-to-interpret navigation. It is extremely off-putting for a visitor to feel lost or confused inside your website, and the intent of good navigation is to allow users to quickly and easily locate the precise information they are looking for. The first step is to keep everything clear and organized. Use short and descriptive labels for menu buttons and links, letting users know exactly what they can expect to find on each indicated page. It is good practice to always include a link to your home page on every sub-page of your site, to orient your users.

On-Site Advertising

There are certain spots on web pages where ads are usually placed. These include the space next to or above the masthead, below the main title, and inside a side column. Keep in mind most people don't like ads. Especially irrelevant and obnoxious advertising that commands attention away from your visitors. Google AdWords' text-based ads work best, for their minimal approach and keyword-based generation. Arrange your ad space strategically, have it clearly labeled as an area for relevant commercial for your readers. Stay away from loud, colorful or animated ads that will disturb your visitors.

Footers

The space at the very bottom of a web page is where you'll find a footer. A recent trend in web design has been marked by the emergence of creative footers, containing more than just the standard legal information and copyright.You can use your footer as a strategic navigational device, to direct users toward specific sections of your website. Corporate websites often provide directions and contact information in a footer. You can also use your footer as a place for creative expression, to leave visitors with a lasting impression of your unique offerings. Placing a touch of free website design onto a page's footer can contribute to a site's branding and identity. Designshak.com placed site navigation, layout and color selection and more in their footer. On Volll.com, there's a floating octopus and a colorful umbrella make up the content of the homepage's footer. Fill up this space with something beneficial to your site's overall purpose.



And that's about it! Now that you've been introduced to the basic components of a web page, knowing how to make a website shouldn't be such a foreign. Have fun identifying these components on websites you visit from now on, and watch out for their organization and design. One of the best ways to improve your own site's web design is to pay attention to what works for others (and what doesn't!). Good luck!

]]> http://receivedtext.org/articles/articles/programming/html-and-web-programming/web-design-where-to-find-ideas-offline-for-killer-websites.html http://receivedtext.org/articles/articles/programming/html-and-web-programming/web-design-where-to-find-ideas-offline-for-killer-websites.html Sat, 17 Jul 2010 23:39:44 -0600
There is nothing wrong with finding inspiration in a virtual world, but if you have set your mind on creating a killer web design with extraordinary appeal, it would be best to shut down your computer for a while, and take a walk in your real-life neighborhood.

1. Take a closer look at nature
Not even the best technology can perfectly mimic the fullness of the colors Mother Nature has to offer. No artificial color palette comes close to the hues we find in autumn leaves, sunflowers, butterfly wings, or the evening sky. So, take your camera and capture the cool shades that attract your attention. One of them will be perfect for your design's background!

2. Architecture can be quite intriguing
Whenever you have a chance, study the building around you. Look at their structure, and the features that make them stand out. What elements were repeated, which materials were used, and how do the colors fit together?

3. Visit art museums
Any chance you have, visit art museums. Among the many pictures, statues, sculptures, pottery, and other artifacts, you will find a fountain of ideas. Incorporate the concepts, compositions, and color arrangements of the artwork into your website, and you will be pleased with the outcome.

4. Discover the magic of libraries
Today's libraries are no longer limited to books. They now also contain music CDs, movie DVD's, documentaries, and even works of art. Take a closer look and find the items that are not posted on the web. Even if they are registered somewhere, holding an object is quite different than looking at it on a screen. Feel the texture of the book covers, and create your own images from the stories you read. Do not base your opinions on those of others, but let your own imagination flow.

5. Go to the movie theater
One can learn a lot from the cinema. Where did the movie title come from? What made the flick so appealing? What can you learn from the story? Where did the writers and directors get their ideas? Creating a movie is all about imagination, even if it is a story true to life.

6. Watch a fashion show
It is amazing how creative fashion designers can be. They dress their mannequins from head to toe in incredible pieces. Although some of the clothing, footwear, hats, jewelry, and other accessories sometimes look ridiculous, they still grab your attention. Observe, and find out which combinations can be incorporated into your web design.
Aside from these 6 suggestions, there are obviously many other places where you can find inspiration. Don't limit yourself, but take advantage of all of them. Think big, and do not be afraid to try something new! It will pay off!
]]> http://receivedtext.org/articles/articles/programming/html-and-web-programming/are-free-websites-really-free.html http://receivedtext.org/articles/articles/programming/html-and-web-programming/are-free-websites-really-free.html Mon, 12 Jul 2010 20:19:15 -0600 free website." This irritates me because there is no such thing. True, you can make your own website and not spend any money but doesn't mean it's free.

In the early days of the web, people would put up anything just because they could. Making your own website could be a hobby. Nobody cared if your page consisted nothing but a Garfield background, your birthday, the name of your school and some pictures of your friends. Now, almost two decades later, people are far more sophisticated. Their websites have to reflect who they are and if anyone opened a page that I just described, they will close that window and move on without another glance.

So what does this mean? This means people who are serious about making a website want their sites to generate hits. They want people to come to their websites. Otherwise it's like building a hotel in the middle of the desert and then making sure that no one hears about it. They do this by locking on to what they know, whether consciously or unconsciously, what surfers are looking for: credibility - a hard commodity to find in the anonymous World Wide Web. The surest thing to gain credibility is in the domain name. If the domain name reflects what the person is looking for, the site gains credibility. There is another reason as well: expediency. A specific domain name is short and is easy to remember. But registering domain names costs money; it's the virtual equivalent of leasing space on a commercial lot.

This isn't enough, to generate hits the site also has to generate interest. This means making the website attractive or at the very least easy on the eyes. This may mean hiring a web designer if the builder is not confident of his own skills. People want to go to a site that is easy to navigate and interesting to watch. There are too many distractions, especially on the web, so the site must be able to hold their interest, sometimes that means having a profession touch.

Most importantly, the site needs to stay relevant. It needs to be constantly updated and kept fresh. A site that is not updated is like a boulder at rest: static, unchanging, dull. Even a Facebook or MySpace profile needs to be tended to. While this may not cost any money (unless a webmaster is hired), it does mean a commitment in time and effort, two things that some people cannot afford.

"Free website?" Only if you can afford it.
]]> http://receivedtext.org/articles/articles/programming/html-and-web-programming/how-to-choose-a-graphic-design-program.html http://receivedtext.org/articles/articles/programming/html-and-web-programming/how-to-choose-a-graphic-design-program.html Fri, 09 Jul 2010 20:06:23 -0600
This article is a start to help you to decide. I have provided a brief list of the top design programs, both for graphic design and website design.

1) Adobe Photoshop: This is one of the best professional photo design software programs on the market. Its main function is photo manipulation, which is the process of using technical and artistic processes to alter an image.

Artistic applications within Photoshop include painting, drawing, touch-up, designing and adding text, and more. You can also edit more than one photo at once using this design software.

For example, Photoshop users can cut parts of photos together and slice and layer them to create a logo or greeting card design. Users can use this program to create website design images; it is also used for creating video effects to use in story line productions (i.e. making movies).

Adobe Photoshop is more advanced. I recommend Adobe Photoshop for the serious user, as it is also quite an investment. Before purchasing, I recommend you download a free trial of Photoshop if it is available.

Professional designers prefer Adobe Photoshop because of the following features:

•Recording custom image actions for batch processing

•Color balance and color match

•Three different masking modes-masked, comps, and quick.

•Smart objects and smart guides

•Advanced fine tuning and control

•CMYK and LAB color modes

•Automated perspective adjustment settings

•Advanced Animation Manipulation

•Flawless photo layering

Don't let the advanced features overwhelm you at first. To understand why you need Adobe to be a pro designer you can research free tutorials online.

2) Adobe Illustrator: Use this software to create original designs. These designs are often combined with images to create a new masterpiece. However, this program is also useful as a standalone drawing product.

Features of the latest version of Illustrator include outputting different document sizes, speedy scroll and zoom, customized work tools and libraries, anchor tools, and multiple cropping.

In addition, Adobe Illustrator integrates with Flash, and offers mobile device previews. Illustrator helps you to create professional-grade graphics compositions. (If you have ever wondered why your graphics do not come out as professional as professional television commercials, this would be the one product for you.)

3) Adobe Flash (Formerly Macromedia Flash): This software is for creating animation and interactive content for websites.

You can use Flash to create other forms of media as well. Flash works with Adobe Illustrator and Adobe Photoshop and also converts animation files to the recommended AS3 format.

Furthermore, Adobe Flash comes with custom import tools and you can create instant code for your websites. Moreover, Adobe Flash utilizes Action Script 3.0, exports Flash files into QuickTime format, and helps you create mobile content. Additionally, you have the power over how your video will appear online.

4) Corel Photo-Paint: This is an advanced photo editing program with similar functions as Adobe Photoshop. Users can use this program's touch-up features, live text formatting tools, online font identification/collaboration tools, and extensive file import formatting (RAW format supports over 300 types of cameras).

Corel Photo-Paint also has additional features such as interactive table layout tools, thousands of clip art designs, and precise curves adjustment. This one seems even more advanced than Adobe Photoshop and novices like using it as a steppingstone to learn Photoshop.

Corel does provide over two hours worth of video training for this product. In addition it provides a very thick user guide, and it is possible to receive free lessons for this product online. The best way to learn what this product can do versus free amateur ones would be to test it out.

5) Photoshop Elements: This is another photo design program that users say has at least 99% of the functionality of Adobe Photoshop at a fraction of the price. You may want to find out of that is true for yourself. You can download a free trial of this software as well as a free trial of Photoshop and compare the two. You can also read further reviews online.

6) Corel Draw: This program is used in similar ways as Adobe Illustrator, and it offers both basic and advanced drawing and editing tools. Corel Draw allows you to custom edit shadows, improve the color of your photos, and design your own picture frame.
]]> http://receivedtext.org/articles/articles/programming/html-and-web-programming/exploring-graphic-design-careers.html http://receivedtext.org/articles/articles/programming/html-and-web-programming/exploring-graphic-design-careers.html Thu, 24 Jun 2010 11:46:56 -0600
Determine what type of graphic design career you'd like to pursue. You also have other options related to graphic design -- you can act as an editor or publisher of a print or video media production.

The field of graphic design covers a wide variety of arts. It also covers occupations that involve graphics editing and implementation.

Typically, graphic design careers are divided into two main categories, and then into several smaller categories or disciplines. The two main categories include designers and publishers.

The designers are usually the ones who implement creativity to produce a finished artistic product. This finished product can include both hand-drawn or painted items and/or computer art. It also can contain photos and text.

The publishers use some creative thinking as well. However, their main role in creating media is editing and producing. Publishers take finished graphic designs and produce them as newspapers, magazines, websites, and more.

Sometimes these two major roles interchange. In other words, the role of a graphic designer and a publisher is combined. This is more common in production studios operating off of a lower budget, or for freelance designers and small business owners.

Larger corporations typically divide the roles of graphics personnel and publishing personnel. Furthermore, a large number of different subcategories exist for graphic designers and publishers.

For example, some corporate employees may be employed as creative directors, layout artists, or Flash designers. Others may be assigned a specific task such as illustrating or photo editing.

Persons employed in graphics positions assist with creating a wide range of products. For example, employees work for companies that produce gift items (cards, calendars, e-cards, print stationary, etc.) while others produce business logos.

Other graphic artists are responsible for creating content for animation or movie productions. Yet another group of designers will create educational and demonstrative tutorials and slide shows.

Knowing the different options should help you to decide which career you want to pursue in graphic design and related fields. It will help you determine what your strengths and weaknesses are regarding design and publications.

If you can see the "big picture" in your mind but can't translate your visualization into tangible form, then you would serve best as a publisher and to use ready-made graphics to produce your media.

On the other hand, if you are slightly disorganized but people have complimented you on your designs,, then becoming a graphic design is the best choice. The only challenge after this point is breaking into this highly-competitive field.

If you are determined and you have what it takes, then you will make it. Also, you increase your chance of success in this business as you identify your niche.

For instance, perhaps you are not thrilled about creating images for advertisements, but you have proven your skills in the cartoon world. If this is the case, then you should not try to pursue commercial advertising venues.

The opposite is true as well. If you demonstrate more talent in commercial ad logo design, then you probably have no interest in selling cartoon scripts. This does not mean you will never be able to, and it also does not mean that a cartoonist could never create commercial ads.

When you start out as a graphic designer, you are likely to find a niche. Stay in this niche if you find it comfortable. You are likely to have plenty of years to change careers or step out of you comfort zone.

Another area of graphic design not yet covered in this article is gaming. You can make a living creating sets and characters for video games.

Likewise, the world of gaming is very lucrative for editors and publishers. You can help coordinate the process of integrating graphic designs into various gaming formats. The possibilities are endless. ]]> http://receivedtext.org/articles/articles/programming/html-and-web-programming/how-to-create-your-freelance-graphic-design-portfolio.html http://receivedtext.org/articles/articles/programming/html-and-web-programming/how-to-create-your-freelance-graphic-design-portfolio.html Thu, 24 Jun 2010 06:56:53 -0600
Your main goal is to make sure you create a portfolio of your very best work. This point may seem obvious, but you'd be surprised at how many people create lackluster work. In fact, many amateurs create a portfolio that is flashy, but not altogether substantive, to impress clients. To put together the best, you'll want to use the best practices. This means classic good web-design. Pay attention to the detail of your work and make sure your samples showcases your knowledge and craft. Ideally, you'll want a portfolio that complies with the high standards of graphic design. This means using correct document type and standard markup throughout your work.

Also keep in mind the use of typography; i.e. your knowledge of setting words. If you are applying for a position as a web-designer, make sure your portfolio reflects your skills to use and control type, especially in a Web environment. Remember that your portfolio(s) is like a job audition. You must prove to a potential client that you can design for web users. Many young designers make the mistake of using a portfolio to impress rather than showcasing their skills.

Many amateur designers fall prey to the instinct to innovate. Although it is natural to put together the most innovative designs that we can, many young designers often innovate and show off new designs. However, too much innovation can distract. Make sure you tailor your portfolio to the work you want. You will often want to show off your strengths, including your understanding and knowledge of basic and advanced design, rather than just your ability to experiment and innovate.

Don't be afraid to show your work. Many young graphic designers believe they should protect their work, and they worry about copyright infringement. Although this is a concern, many graphic designers make the mistake of showing too little of their work. This is sometimes the case of showcasing websites -- a tiny image of the website, instead of enlarged images of various elements of the website. Make sure you include several full-sized screen shots. Nobody wants to have to squint to see what your work is all about.

Fill in your portfolio with your own non-commissioned designs. Although you should fill your portfolio with examples of work that you have done for clients, but you'll also want to show what you have accomplished on your own. Show off your own designs. This could be anything from a new skin that you designed on your own, a Word Press page that you put together, or your personal graphic design blog. You want to be unique and have a voice -- and that voice should be yours, because there is not a second one like it in the whole world. ]]> http://receivedtext.org/articles/articles/programming/html-and-web-programming/learning-common-graphic-design-terms.html http://receivedtext.org/articles/articles/programming/html-and-web-programming/learning-common-graphic-design-terms.html Thu, 24 Jun 2010 06:13:47 -0600
1) The initials A.A.
These initials stand for "author's alterations." These initials refer to any alteration made in the text or design matter. Designers often use these initials to indicate that there has not been a printer's error.

2) The Account Executive
This is the title of a person who is responsible to speaking with clients, starting new accounts, and acting as a bridge between the agency and the client. If you work as a graphic designer in advertising, you will become familiar with your Account Executive as you work on a project.

3) Art.
Of course, we all know what art is, more or less. But with graphic design, the meaning shifts slightly. When we use this phrase in graphic design, it refers to all original copy. This copy can include any design element prepared by camera, the artist, or another type of machine.

4) The baseline.
You will recognize the term, the baseline, as a beginning graphic designer. The base plan is a horizontal line upon which all the characters in a line stand.

5) Black letter.
This term is used to indicate Gothic. It refers to a popular style of handwriting that dates back to the fifteenth century.

6) Body matter.
The body matter may be referred to as the body copy. This is the text, the regular reading matter that is contrasted with display lines.

7) A broadside.
A broadside is generally a large printed sheet folded for mailing. The broadside gained popularity as an illustrated way to share and pass along poetry.

8) Camera-ready art.
This refers to copy that designers have assembled to ready it for photography through a process camera with a minimum amount of steps.

9) Continuous-tone copy.
This graphic design term refers to any image that ranges in tones from white to black.

10) The dummy.
This term refers to the preliminary layout of a soon-to-be published printed piece. The dummy (also sometimes called a "mockup") shows how various elements of the layout will be arranged in relation to one another.

11) First proofs.
This refers to proofs that were submitted for checking by the proofreaders or copy editors.

12) The galley proof.
Also, sometimes referred to as the proper approval. The galley proof is an impression of type. It is usually not spaced out or assembled completely, thus allowing the typographer and the client to see if the job has been set properly.

13) Kerning.
Kerning is the process of adjusting the space between different letters so that part of one letter will extend over to the body of the next.

14) The layout.
The layout is the blueprint of the design. It shows the basic elements of a design, and how different elements will look in their proper positions.

15) The masthead.
This refers to the design or logo used to identify a magazine, newspaper or other regularly printed publication.

16) P.E. - Printer's error.

17) Pica.
This can be commonly seen written or heard spoken around hard-core graphic designers. Pica is basically just a typographical unit of measurement.

18) Proofs.
Proofs are trial prints, or a sheet of printed material that the designer checks against the original manuscript. ]]> http://receivedtext.org/articles/articles/programming/html-and-web-programming/how-to-decide-on-which-graphic-design-program-to-use.html http://receivedtext.org/articles/articles/programming/html-and-web-programming/how-to-decide-on-which-graphic-design-program-to-use.html Thu, 24 Jun 2010 06:06:13 -0600
This article is a start to help you to decide. I have provided a brief list of the top design programs, both for graphic design and website design.

1) Adobe Photoshop: This is one of the best professional photo design software programs on the market. Its main function is photo manipulation, which is the process of using technical and artistic processes to alter an image.

Artistic applications within Photoshop include painting, drawing, touch-up, designing and adding text, and more. You can also edit more than one photo at once using this design software.

For example, Photoshop users can cut parts of photos together and slice and layer them to create a logo or greeting card design. Users can use this program to create website design images; it is also used for creating video effects to use in story line productions (i.e. making movies).

Adobe Photoshop is more advanced. I recommend Adobe Photoshop for the serious user, as it is also quite an investment. Before purchasing, I recommend you download a free trial of Photoshop if it is available.

Professional designers prefer Adobe Photoshop because of the following features:

* Recording custom image actions for batch processing

* Color balance and color match

* Three different masking modes-masked, comps, and quick.

* Smart objects and smart guides

* Advanced fine tuning and control

* CMYK and LAB color modes

* Automated perspective adjustment settings

* Advanced Animation Manipulation

*Flawless photo layering

Don't let the advanced features overwhelm you at first. To understand why you need Adobe to be a pro designer you can research free tutorials online.

2) Adobe Illustrator: Use this software to create original designs. These designs are often combined with images to create a new masterpiece. However, this program is also useful as a standalone drawing product.

Features of the latest version of Illustrator include outputting different document sizes, speedy scroll and zoom, customized work tools and libraries, anchor tools, and multiple cropping.

In addition, Adobe Illustrator integrates with Flash, and offers mobile device previews. Illustrator helps you to create professional-grade graphics compositions. (If you have ever wondered why your graphics do not come out as professional as professional television commercials, this would be the one product for you.)

3) Adobe Flash (Formerly Macromedia Flash): This software is for creating animation and interactive content for websites.

You can use Flash to create other forms of media as well. Flash works with Adobe Illustrator and Adobe Photoshop and also converts animation files to the recommended AS3 format.

Furthermore, Adobe Flash comes with custom import tools and you can create instant code for your websites. Moreover, Adobe Flash utilizes Action Script 3.0, exports Flash files into QuickTime format, and helps you create mobile content. Additionally, you have the power over how your video will appear online.

4) Corel Photo-Paint: This is an advanced photo editing program with similar functions as Adobe Photoshop. Users can use this program's touch-up features, live text formatting tools, online font identification/collaboration tools, and extensive file import formatting (RAW format supports over 300 types of cameras).

Corel Photo-Paint also has additional features such as interactive table layout tools, thousands of clip art designs, and precise curves adjustment. This one seems even more advanced than Adobe Photoshop and novices like using it as a steppingstone to learn Photoshop.

Corel does provide over two hours worth of video training for this product. In addition it provides a very thick user guide, and it is possible to receive free lessons for this product online. The best way to learn what this product can do versus free amateur ones would be to test it out.

5) Photoshop Elements: This is another photo design program that users say has at least 99% of the functionality of Adobe Photoshop at a fraction of the price. You may want to find out of that is true for yourself. You can download a free trial of this software as well as a free trial of Photoshop and compare the two. You can also read further reviews online.

6) Corel Draw: This program is used in similar ways as Adobe Illustrator, and it offers both basic and advanced drawing and editing tools. Corel Draw allows you to custom edit shadows, improve the color of your photos, and design your own picture frame. ]]> http://receivedtext.org/articles/articles/programming/html-and-web-programming/how-to-build-an-amazing-graphic-design-studio.html http://receivedtext.org/articles/articles/programming/html-and-web-programming/how-to-build-an-amazing-graphic-design-studio.html Tue, 22 Jun 2010 12:34:05 -0600
1) Setting up your graphic design studio.

What are the minimal requirements? They are quite minimal -- you need a computer, copy machine, telephone, fax, flat files, desk, and ergonomic chair. These are all you really need to setup your office. Of course, you will also need the talent, drive and experience.

2) Finding the right title for your business.

To transform your design business into a professional one, you will need to come up with a title. You can brainstorm several different angles. You can choose a proper name, such as your own name, or a combination of your name and your partner's name. You can choose a clever and quirky name that will clamor for attention. You can also choose a corporate-sounding name that can give an immediate impression of professionalism. Or you can choose an enigmatic name, the kind that leaves people wondering what the genesis of the name is. Whatever you decide, try to make the name easy to spell, short and memorable.

3) Are you ready to set up?

Creating your own graphic design studio can seem like a natural outgrowth from your skills, and this is the line of thinking that leads many individuals to consider establishing their own self-employment. If you are doing well in this field, you may feel eager to expand and hire a staff. But consider how you will deal with these transitions between freelance work and steady studio work. Are you financially solvent enough to make the leap? Are you professionally prepared to take on new design projects? Are you prepared to make the leap between working from home and having your own business where just about anyone can drop in and make significant demands on your time?

4) How can you go about finding those all-important first clients?

One of the biggest hurdles of starting is building your client base. Here are some ways to generate those important first gigs. First, you should mine your existing clients for work. You can also tap into a vast amount of referrals. Remember, you receive many of your graphic design projects through word of mouth. Most of your potential clients will probably lack a budget for design work; therefore, you will need these potential clients to be referred to you. Make sure you have a strong web presence so potential clients can find you easily. Always do the best work possible so that current clients are willing and ready to recommend you.

5) Learn to advertise.

Putting together a promotional kit is one of the most important marketing strategies you can do. A promotional kit and your advertisements should feature samples of your past work. This should be your first line of attack to make contact with potential and future clients. You can send regular mailings to existing clients to make sure they remember you for their next project. You should also strive to enter as many annual design competitions to stay in the public's eye.
]]> http://receivedtext.org/articles/articles/programming/html-and-web-programming/increase-your-profits-with-a-good-website-design.html http://receivedtext.org/articles/articles/programming/html-and-web-programming/increase-your-profits-with-a-good-website-design.html Thu, 17 Jun 2010 19:16:58 -0600
Who Is A Web Designer And Why Is It So Important To Hire An Efficient Hand

A web designer is a person who, as the term suggests, designs the website. He or she is the person who creates the presentation, the layout of the page that a visitor sees. The person will decide whether there should be a banner or not, and if yes, how it will look. The designer will decide the place in the page where the content will be placed and also the area that will publish information and images about your product or service. If you are a lead generation website, the person will design the form, and if you are an ecommerce website, the person will create the order button. Sometimes, a web designer also has technical programming knowledge, but such knowledge is not always needed to be employed.

A good web designer can make a huge difference. So select the person carefully. A good web designer will know that often, a website should have minimal graphics because heavy images can increase the loading time and images may not provide any information to the visitors. An efficient person will know where to put the images and just how much is enough.

There Are Free Templates Available On The Internet - So Why Should I Hire A Designer

A good web designer can charge you a lot of money. On the other hand, there are free templates that you can download from the Internet. So the natural question to ask is… is it really important to hire a web designer The answer to this is a resounding 'Yes'. Remember, the person is more than someone who just designs the way your page appears. He or she can customize it according to the business you are in, and your exact needs.

Now if you download a free template and work on it, your hands are severely restricted to what is already there. This is why no serious business or big business would do such a thing. To make your design work for you and increase your ROI, the designer must get it exactly right. And it is essential that you work closely with the person, give himher your brief, see the output, provide your feedback, see the changes, and finally fix the final page plan and layout. ]]>