#frontend gizmos

The topic of a web-designer’s projects looking the same way too regularly has sparked some debate within the community, about whether that is a bad thing or not.

We can’t deny it - being pegged as a “one-trick pony” is something none of us wants. But do similar-looking projects mean that we’re incapable of more than that? Short answer: no! 

When you’re designing something, the goal is for your project to be used by an audience. More often than not, this doesn’t mean that you have to do something never seen before.

In fact, the goal is for your project to look good, be easy to use and easy to understand. That’s it. Are you able to create a groundbreaking design while sticking to these three principles? Great! If not, that’s okay too.

You should aim for usability first, rather than impress people. A super complex design which is hard to use won’t cut it for you.

In no way is it bad to have a varied portfolio. After all, as a designer, you want to show potential clients what you can do. However, we have to think deeper than that.

Ask yourself: where would you go if you wanted to buy something of its highest quality? Surely, you’d pick experts in the matter, not a generalist. Now, apply that reasoning to your web-design work. Staying within a certain niche isn’t a bad thing, as you have the chance to improve much deeper in that niche than if you worked as a generalist. However, this doesn’t mean you should neglect everything else. 

Tip:Keep separate portfolios, one generalist and one niche. This way, you’re able to display your whole skills as well as your more in-depth expertise.

We can always find a middle ground on everything, and here it is.

You don’t have to create something groundbreaking and staying within a niche can be beneficial and place you as an expert on that style. However, adding a special touch to your “niche projects” is always welcome.

There’s always room for improvement and sometimes a small feature can make the difference between a client commissioning you or someone else. Just make sure you’re considering the client’s context and don’t go overboard.

It may sound like a silly question but a portfolio can mean different things to different people, depending on what you do and who your target audience is.

As a web-designer, owning a portfolio with projects that look similar to each other isn’t such a bad thing. However, if you were, say, a 3D animator, having that wow factor is way more important.

If you spot a certain sameness to your past projects, try not to take it as a negative thing. Instead, think about how they turned out. Were they successful? If so, that’s a good enough reason to not be negative and realise that you’re producing exactly what your audience wants. Plus, you’re placing yourself as an expert in that style! 

Keep up with my Frontend Gizmos article series for more content in the topic.

Theweb-design community is probably one of the most active when it comes to sharing knowledge, but sometimes that might not be enough for everyone to understand what’s being shared. On many cases, one would need some insights on the matter already, which might leave beginners out of the equation if content creators aren’t careful.

Web-design is a very broad subject and there are many technologies to learn and paths to take. However, the very first steps into the world of web-design are quite universal.

It may be tempting to dismiss HTML and CSS for the fact that they’ve been around for quite a long time. However, they are still the foundation of how websites are built and they’re as important as ever.

HTML structure can arguably be vital for SEO (search engine optimisation), while CSS helps to keep your page looking beautiful, lightweight, and interactive. Furthermore, both languages play a crucial role in accessibility!

Learning these two languages will help you plan and build better end products by properly identifying potential improvements and opportunities for innovation. So, don’t hesitate in diving in and learning as much as possible about HTML and CSS!

• Related article: Learn How to Code

Practice leads to perfection, and you won’t be able to fully understand web-design if you don’t get your hands dirty.

So, what better way than building your own website? This is one of the first steps you should take alongside learning the foundations of web-design.

Pick a subject that you’re passionate about to start off and try to visualise what you’d like your website to look like. Maybe you’d like a header image? Or a landing page? Or maybe you’d like it to be mobile-friendly? All of these questions and more are relevant to come up with your initial design.

Do keep in mind, though, that it might be frustrating when you’re starting out! It’s normal not to understand what you’re reading or for things to simply not work the way you want them to. In fact, this isn’t quite a beginner’s problem - most experienced web-designers also face these frustrations! Don’t hesitate to reach out for help whenever you need it.

• Related articles: Creating Mobile-Friendly Templates,Building Landing Pages

One of the biggest challenges you will be facing - as any beginner in any field - is staying confident.

Every field has its experts and those people who seemingly have it all together. You’re going to come across gorgeous portfolios with incredible projects, and that might either encourage you to follow their steps or it might lower your confidence because your goals seem too far away.

Remind yourself that these people weren’t born knowing how to do what they do. They were once in your shoes, probably feeling the same way about their “web-designer idol”.

Don’t beat yourself up for feeling down sometimes. It’s all part of the growing and learning processes. Fight the urge to compare your work with that of experienced designers, and instead acknowledge how far you’ve come and keep your eyes on the finish line. It will be worth it!

If you’re unable to keep your confidence up, reach out to other designers. They will likely support you and encourage you to carry on working on your project(s).

Every new journey comes with its challenges but the fulfilment we get from overcoming them is much more worth it than the struggles we may face, so hold on tight!

Looking back on your progress and realising how far you’ve come is an incredible feeling and it will push you to keep moving forward, opening doors to new opportunities - and who knows, a great career!

Keep up with my Frontend Gizmos article series for more interesting content.