We call ourselves web designers and developers. However, the job often goes beyond those narrow margins. Freelancers and small agencies deal with a range of non-design and coding issues. We become the first person our clients contact when they have a question. It happens – even when we aren’t directly involved with the subject matter. […]
Those Non-Design Technologies Web Designers Need to Know Read More »
The early web (we’ll define it as 1995 – 2005) was an adventurous place. The narrative was that anyone could participate in this new medium. Thus, it attracted an eclectic mix of creators. We tend to look back to these days with some cringe. Yes, the design and technology of that era were lacking. And
Aspects of the Early Web I’d Like to See Come Back Read More »
We know the importance of website performance and accessibility. Or at least we should. There’s no shortage of content dedicated to these subjects. That creates awareness. Hopefully, awareness leads to learning. And learning leads to implementing best practices. There, we’ve made the web a better place! Not so fast. There’s one factor the tutorials didn’t
How Client Requests Can Undermine Web Performance & Accessibility Read More »
Tech companies are baking AI into everything these days. It seems like you can’t avoid a heaping helping of bots and large language models (LLMs). I think I ingested some in my breakfast cereal this morning. Thus, it’s no surprise that search engines have become best pals with AI. Google and Bing are joyfully adding
AI in Search? The Grumpy Designer Isn’t Impressed So Far Read More »
The web is a 24/7 medium. But web designers have office hours. That leaves a gap in technical support coverage. What happens if your client has a question about WordPress in the middle of the night? All jokes aside, client needs won’t always sync with your schedule. And we’ll guess that you don’t want to
How to Help Your Web Design Clients Without Being There Read More »
Creativity can be freeing for web designers. There’s nothing quite like reaching that “a-ha” moment. It’s when an idea transfers from your head to a screen. I had that feeling a lot during my early days in this industry. My work wasn’t great, mind you. But I felt the thrill of doing things I’d never
Creativity Hasn’t Left Web Design – It’s Just Different Read More »
The web is in a constant state of change. What we build today will inevitably need to adapt tomorrow. And the challenge of keeping up is only growing. Modern websites have multiple dependencies. They include everything from PHP, your content management system (CMS), to JavaScript libraries. Even the classic 5-page brochure site can’t escape their
What to Do When Your Website Faces a Major Software Change Read More »
I’ve learned many lessons in my years as a grumpy designer. One is to try and separate work from the rest of your life. It’s a healthy practice – one that leads to (slightly) less stress. But, try as I might, certain things stick with me. Things that stay at the front of my mind
Things That Keep the Grumpy Designer Awake at Night Read More »
The web makes our lives more convenient. We can order a T-shirt or a pizza with a few clicks. We can conduct global research without leaving our seats. It has changed the way we do just about everything. As web designers, we seek to add even more convenience. We employ systems to “remember” users. We
Better Web Security Means Less Convenience – For Now Read More »
Web designers take pride in being knowledgeable. We help clients navigate challenges and establish their little corner of the internet. We guide them toward success. Doing so requires experience and know-how. The industry has worked this way for years. However, the situation feels different these days. The job is now akin to untangling a ball
Has Web Design Become Too Complex for Freelancers? Read More »
