There is a very good article on A List Apart entitled “Reviving Anorexic Web Writing”, by Amber Simmons. Her major point is that writing for website content has turned into body copy more then actual content that anyone would actually want to read.

What I really liked about this article was how she opened. She describes an office visit from a potential client who wanted her to build a quick site for him. She replied that she would be happy to look over the content of the site when it was ready and then see if it was indeed something that she would be willing to take on. The prospect was shocked by the idea that the content should have to come before the design, and that it was not something that could be thrown in later.

The reason that I like this point so much is because it is such a common occurrence in our line of work. Clients come to us with hopes of an amazing looking website with all the bells in whistles. They don’t want it to cost them more then a price too low to mention, and they want it in a week. They think that it is a simple process, and as such, content is usually the last thing on their minds. “Oh, it is just something that you will write up and throw in at the end for us wont you?”

Now, I am always happy to get with a client and help them figure out what sort of content is needed for their site, and to even help with the creation of said content. But they have to be willing to work with me. If I don’t have a sites content up front, it almost guarantees a sub-par design.

Content is the heart of web design as Amber so excellently points out. It needs to be well thought out, well written, and it needs to captivate your audience. I may just have all my future clients read this article.

Well, I am back and with a whole new site design. It took me a bit longer then expected, but I do like how this one turned out. It has a nice, modern, vector look to it, and it is clean and simple.

The site now features a portfolio which I will be increasing over the coming weeks as I go through all my work, but for now it has some of my sites as well as some logos that I have done.

Enjoy and tell me what you think.

Yes it has, I am afraid. Mostly by circumstances, but also by my own free will. I will be pursuing a job else where. With several canceled jobs and several which I cannot seem to get in contact with, I have decided to put a hold on Thought Design for a bit, and get a real job with real hours and real income, the last of which being my favorite. There are several companies in Tucson looking for web designers/developers and so I will be sending them my resume and several letters of recommendation that past clients and instructors have been kind enough to write for me. Even though I don’t have a degree, I am hoping that my experience will be sufficient to land me a decent job. Most of the job listings never even mention a degree actually, so I am not too worried.

Some of you (who ever it is that actually reads this thing) might be concerned for me, but I assure you, this is actually something that I am really looking forward to. It is very stressful not knowing when or where your next paycheck will come from, and I am tired of trying to budget on a $1,000 a month, it is pretty much impossible actually. So, I am really looking forward to this now. It is easier working for someone else, and I think the fact that I have worked for myself for the better part of two years will make me appreciate it even more.

So, what is to become of Thought Design? Well that all depends on the sort of job that I manage to acquire. There are several companies in town who are not design firms, but are simply looking for a web guy to manage their own web needs. If I can get into one of these positions, then in all likelihood I would still do work on the side through my company and see how it develops. I feel this would be alright as it is not a conflict of interest and it would be on my own time. Of course, I would check with my employer beforehand. This would be ideal.

If I end up with a job at another design firm, then Thought Design will go into hibernation, waiting for the right time (if ever), to reappear on the scene. I think it would be good for me to work at another design company to see how they run things, and then bring that experience to Thought Design in the years to come. We shall see though.

All in all, either way has its perks and I would be happy in both positions, though I think I would still like to be able to do freelance work on the side, just to pad the income a bit. Prayers would be greatly appreciated. As they say, God never closes a door without opening at least a window of opportunity.

Matt