roo

Best off to learn CSS from the start.... continuing with tabular based design is like trying to upgrade a commadore 64 to compete with todays computers, it's a dead technology! Better to spend your time learning something useful

It's nice man, simple and effective... can't go wrong with a bit of Avant Garde Demi One thing I would personally be aware of is the large block created where the g and n meet in designs... but it seems to work well, not distracting the eye too much. I think the 'slice' in the d counteracts it. Nice one!

Between each letter? Then it wont be as long as the word FOUNDATION

Make sure to check out the curriculum... to be honest, web technology moves so fast, it's hard for web design courses to keep up. The curriculum is set at the beginning of the year and then it's not updated til the next, and you know how much could've happened within that time! Forums, buy yourself a few good books, tutorials and then make yourself a nice portfolio... a good pf speaks for itself

Do your best

like the new shiny goodness added to it?!

haha, yes, yes you did cheers mate

I do have some reservations about the A actually... wasn't sure if it did fit in. My name is Andrew and as this is a logo for a freelancer and I am the sole proprietor I highlighted the A just to add a bit of spice to the logo. I think I'll opt for something a a bit less eye catching though. Sometimes less is more eh Any input on the INDUSTRIES font/justification? I'm not 100% about that either. - Roo

Hello everyone, I've managed to come up with a logo finally. Just want to know anyones opinions on it before I reveal the (vague) concept behind it Cheers - Roo

Based on Eskymo's 'what you do, how you do it, how you want to come across' I've thrown down some words... My head feels a little clearer already. I can't really develop it further at the mo as I'm in work. It'd be interesting for other designers to fill this in and see what the general idea is! What I Do Logo design Web interface design CSS/XHTML Illustration Photography Copywrite How I Do It Sketch, then fire up Illustrator/Photoshop to develop ideas (as far as I got with this one) How I'd Like to Come Across Friendly & approachable Switched on and aware of the world around Intelligent Fashionable Professional Corporate yet arty when needed Young & in touch Urban

Some really good replies here... I think I'm in too much of a rush to get it all going! I'm currently working at an embroidery/printing place as a graphic designer/embroidery badge maker (digitizer)/IT tech/engraver/general dogsbody near my hometown in South Wales, and my girlfriend's off to uni in London. The valleys don't have anything to offer me anymore so I'd love to go and live up London ASAP and freelance... I know there'll be a lot more work to it than that but no reason to not be positive! Thanks for all the tips, I'm glad we're not alone when it comes to designers block for designing for yourself!! I was checking your site out this morning Harmony, really nice stuff Cheers -Roo

How the hell do you design your portfolio site? I've tried about 4 different layouts now, each time I change my mind before getting even half way... do you think more planning is the key to getting through it? I'm guessing I should make a list of words describing how I'd like to come across, and see what comes into my head from there. So far I need to design a logo for myself - I'm going under Foundation Industries... and then a website. I've tried about 5 different logos, and 4 different site designs, I just can't stick with one!!! Anyone got any tips? - Roo

VERY good point mate, mixing business/money and family/friends can so easily cause bad blood. I remember lending my mate a fiver and not getting it back even though he had money to go out boozing, and then it became the principle of it... quickly turned sour, and that was only £5!

haha... I tend to waffle. With what you said about the wireless/broadband stuff... SO many people can't get it to work, I think someone could make a bit of money in that. If I'd passed my test yet (22 and still can't drive, shocking!) I'd be sticking flyers up saying 'wireless fixed for £30' and going round to sort it out for them.

People always want to be different, especially companies, they'll want to stand out from their competitors in any way they can

Did you not have a job at the time? How confident were you in your ability? How'd you support yourself in the first few months? Questions questions

Hello, me again Did any of you established freelancers start by working on the side? If so, did you start off with no contracts; ie. just did work for friends/family etc? Or did any of you register as a business (if so what's involved?) Anyone properly registered as a business yet still working at a job they can't wait to escape?! Cheers - Roo

Some good replies here! Cheers all, got plenty to get cracking on

Hi Ben, thanks for the reply! What I'm concious of is selling myself short, getting ripped off or cancelled on by a client. I've done some stuff for people before and I've never used a contract. With one client, I made the mistake of charging a flat fee when the 'project' scope wasn't outlined in a contract from the start. The result was that the client kept asking for more and more and wanted me to populate the site with every product they sold, when it started off as a simple online brochure. I got fed up and it ended with us both losing interest. Not good! If anyone can see what I'm getting at I'd appreciate the input - Roo

Fast replies! Cheers both, look forward to getting to know you - Roo

Hello, my name's Andrew, I'm 22 and I just registered today. I'm on a mission collecting as much info as I can on web design in order to someday go freelance and escape the valleys! I've dabbled in the past with web design, but that was when tabular design was still being used by... most people! I'm pretty decent with Illustrator and Photoshop and I've always known HTML and a good bit of CSS. Just coming back into it I'm quite confused by floats, clearing and cross browser hacks, so I'll be looking to clear up all that stuff in my head as well as eventually learning about CMS systems and PHP. I currently specialise in logo design but will be looking to add more skills and develop my portfolio (http://www.foundationindustries.net - very temp layout!) in the coming months. Cheers for reading - Roo (And-roo)

So I've got all the hardware, I can use Photoshop and Illustrator to an advanced level, I'm getting up to scratch with standards & usability and soon I'll be putting sites together. I'm not ready for freelance yet, but when I am what do I need in the way of contracts? How difficult is writing a contract and what needs to go in there? Do people charge by page or hourly rate? Is using a flat fee with 'client gets 3 wireframes, picks one to be developed, and then 2 rounds of revisions. Revisions thereafter billed at hourly rate' a good way to charge? Sorry for the random post, but just thinking about it makes my head spin! I'd be greatful for any help I can get... the sooner I can escape my full time job and be my own boss, the better - Roo