GirlUnderConstruction

Yeyyy! Another girl!!! Hoorah! Welcome Rachel!! Beware of the boyz, they're a bit horny Haha! They're very lovely really Warm, welcoming and mega helpful (they really know their stuff, you're definitely in the right place!)! Enjoy! x <<< these smileys are pretty awesome too (I'm a newbie to this too, can you tell??!)!!

See, as an amateur to 'the biz' (web) myself, I too wouldn't understand where you get your figures from, i.e. "What exactly IS involved in creating a web campaign from scratch?" What's more worrying nowadays (to the self-employed web PRO) is that THE WORST "web developers" can be found left, right and centre (usually, and unfortunately, the top/page 1 of Google Search--if they know a smidge about SEO). I know I, personally, only check the first page of Google after I've typed in key words--anyone on the following pages is obviously no good (<<< NB general opinion of a web user), so now you're competing with amateurs who (like me, sorry!) have realised web communication is "the future" so they're/we're all jumping on the band wagon and--in its simplest/quickest/easiest form--doing a quicky online DreamWeaver course (a friend of mine did this... the results were not so aesthetically/ergonomically pleasing) who will then offer their services at next-to-nothing. To the unbeknown eye (i.e. people who don't understand the graft that actually goes into a decent web campaign), they will laugh at your quote because they "don't get it". £2k--at the end of the day--is a lot of money to part with. I have absolutely no doubt the results would be worth it, but you've gotta make sure you're dealing with the right people/people who know their (your) stuff. Here's an example of the p*ss-taking customer: I used to paint wall murals for a living; I'd put a custom design together in Photoshop using a room template I'd designed; I'd print out a 2D picture on A4; freehand copy the image in pencil onto the wall, then paint the outline with a fine brush, then fill in the colours/shading etc. As you can imagine, this took A LOT of time. I had to accept £40 for 20 hours work once--not because it was shoddy (honest!), just because they had no clue of the work/effort involved (and I, obviously, am a shocking sales person!). Their excuse was they "could have got a wall sticker from B&Q for the same price". NOTE: I don't paint wall murals now! THIS ^^^ is the climate we are in. A HELL OF A LOT of people don't appreciate the graft/technique we artists/specialists have to offer. We should not work for these people, but 'these people' require our services just as much as the pro's (corporations). You've gotta make sure that not only your clients but YOU understand your worth. Itemise it all (inc hours) for your customer. Treat them like they're stupid (most are). If they're not worth it, they'll get the gist and refer to the numpty who read a book. Leave the plebs to deal with the plebs. We aint no fools!! NB I'm not American! I just like to make sure I'm down with the kidz! Honestly... "People"... I despair! That probably hasn't helped whatsoever, I just wanted to get my two penneth worth! Good luck!!!!

I've forgotten what we were talking about... Why am I here again??!

I'll do my best, team! Yep, I make no quarms, us girlies all love a bit of attention from the boyz! NB I'm not just here for attention though! I'm here to work, dammit!

Doh! No harm meant Malick, I'm not agist! Though you're evidently far too intelligent for your age!! You will go far!

Haha, you are most kind! Glad we cleared the whore thing up! And "the list"! Easy, tiger

^^ Ha! You guys! Sex pests the lot a ya! ^^

Jason: Haha, I see what you mean... At least they were pleasant! MikeChipShop: Oh God! Chris: I'd refer to myself as more "a charmer" than "a whore", but each to their own I have always aspired to be as entertaining/witty as poss Why be dull?? A bit of flirtatious typing never did any harm... though I believe one of you chaps is a wee 15 years old, and that's just wrong (not being 15, but a girl of my age cyber flirting with a 15 year old... now that's just plain desperate)! You might not believe it, but I am in fact 27 years old..... Apparently I look approx 22 though (awwwesome!!!)! I certainly don't behave like a 27 year old, that's fo sho. Annnnyhoo, we digress! Though I may not need your web developed perspectives on all things web right now this instant, I will def need your angles (<<< not being kinky @MikeChipShop! I mean your objective/subjective opinions!) on my stuff once I start mi all singin' all dancin' digital media course in few weeks I hope you won't feel too used, but is this not what forums are about?? Forming opinions?? Only time will tell I s'pose..... TTFN team! You have been an absolute pleasure to work with so far! <<<Hehe! Love it! Simple minds...

Chris: I'm fwightened! You guys will snub me instantly once you see my amateur effort at a blog... Bear with me though, it will be sublime, eventually PS Your animated smileys rock my world!! Where'd you find them (remember, this is mi first forum, I'm not "down" with the lingo as yet!)?? Ste: Thanks for the welcome! I'll do mi best to fit in amongst "the lads"...*gulp*! Jason: Yes... I get the sneakin suspicion this web design/developing biz is considerably male dominated... I'm not worried, I'm gonna show you fella's how it's done! I'll wipe the floor with you!! Muahahaha... Yes, fair do's, I'm probs getting a lil carried away. I know nothing Be r8 Thanks for the welcome, I should be skulking round these parts a while longer--til death do us part--using and abusing y'all in every way, shape and form You love it!! Thanks again, team. I'm already feeling very much at [cyber] home You're all very kind.

Chris: Yes, I am pretty awesome Lev: It's only teensy at the mo! Must try harder!

Wow! What a response! Thanks team! Knew I’d come to right place I will respond to your feedback individually: Malick: I see you’re a newbie to the forum too! Welcome! I much prefer your term “energetic” as opposed to my “nuts”! Thank you! And yes, I am BRAND SPANKING new to web design. Don’t know the first thing besides my lil blog on wordpress. Trust me, I am well aware I have A LOT to learn! The creative/aesthetics side should be a doddle, it’s just the whole implementing/‘techy’ side to it I fear most. It’s gonna be tough… but I CAN (and will) DO ITTT!! Thank you very much for the links, I shall have a nosy as soon as I’ve posted this! You’re very kind Renaissance-Design aka “Web Guru”: It is no wonder you’ve been given the title of “Web Guru”… Web Guru you certainly are! Thank you thank you thank you for all the top notch info. You’re my hero! Me thinx I shall be picking your brains quite considerably over the next coming years! You know far too much, it is essential you share the wealth I have taken note of the comment regarding out-of-date syllabuses/syllabi(??), I shall keep my ear to the ground. I will also do my best to ensure there is method and substance a plenty to my work! I’ll have a looksy at A List Apart and 24 Ways after I get my forum fix tonight. I’ve done a fair amount of research into the biz—"knowledge is power" so I’ll keep my eyes out for tips and techniques. I recently joined twitter (I’ll hunt you down if you’re there?), following as many pro’s as poss! I have also taken note that words are the meat and potatoes (awesome term by the way!) of the web. When you first mentioned languages I thought you ment spoken word, but I think (from research) you might mean java, flash, html and all those other random compositions of letters web developers use to communicate?! It makes no sense to me now, but hopefully I’ll be fluent in time And, I LOVE LEARNING new things!!!! It’s my favourite hobby--another reason why I think getting involved in all things web would be a tres beans career move for me! Thanks again for the tremendous info! Very much appreciated!! I WILL be in touch (be afraid ). Lev: Thank you for the welcome! The pleasure is all mine! I’m allll over it regarding an online portfolio, however(!), it’s an online portfolio of my photo’s, not web designs… One day it will be flooded with fantabulous designs I’ve compiled with all my new web tech skills! Alriiight! Stay tuned You guys will no doubt be the first to take a peek at my stuff! You KNOW what you’re talking about! PS Be gentle with me! MikeChipShop: Another Web Guru! Wow, I really have come to the right place! I’ve got some work experience/shadowing lined up in prep for my return to the UK in a couple of weeks. Very exciting/scary! I too believe hands-on experience is fundamental in understanding the biz. As I say, I know naaathing as yet, but this will soon change! Maybe one day I’ll be a Web Guru too…. Are you worried??! Haha, I joke Thanks again for the tips! I’ll keep you posted as and when I start/update my portfolio! Be prepared for some serious web eye candy wewyr: You went to Bradders too??! You must have done the original form of my course! I do hear very good things about Bradders Uni’s Media dept. A friend of mine now works at the Beeb after working VERY hard to achieve a 1st in her degree (she’s a bit of a clever clogs!)! “Compression Algorithms”, yes, I know all about those… NOT! Oh gawd, I’m in trouble aren’t I?? That sounds tres complicated! I will have to work VERY hard… me and academia have not worked so well as a team in the past… but hopefully I’ll pull my finger out this time round—I HAVE to. I predict tears… but I’ll not get emotional on here coz that’s not cool! I’m looking forward to being able to do the freelance side of things, but really, I’d like to establish myself as part of a big corporation. Only time will tell… And yes, I’ll be spending many an hour perusing le web for useful tips and techniques, keeping my finger on the pulse! Books are so old skool Thanks for your words of wisdom. Muchly appreciated. Looking forward to getting to know you and the team better over the coming years! ayoungh: Why thank you *cyber curtsy*. I think you might be right John Fotios: It's what all the cool kidz are saying nowadays

Hellooo there Web fans! My name's Claire, and this is the first ever forum I've joined! Exciting times! As you can probably already tell, I'm a little bit "off the wall" (nuts) from time to time, but I'll try and keep my cool on this here web designer forum as i don't want you lot to think I'm a complete and utter weirdo (I'm not, promise!)! So, if you read my little intro/"about me" section on here, you'll see I'm VERY new to the whole web design/developing thing. This is a particularly massive career change for me, I'm used to designing interior spaces and room sets for photography--designing websites is totally alien to me! This has all come about after a lot of "soul searching"/unemployment. I'm hoping to embark upon a BSc Digital Media course at Bradford Uni this September (yes, they still have spaces!) and gain some valuable work experience to accompany said studies. I'm quite clever (I think?) and have a sneakin suspicion THIS (web design/digital business) could be my calling... If you have any tips on how to make it/what to do/what not to do regarding the digi world, please by all means share your pearls of wisdom with me! I'm here to pick you brains! Thanks Web fans! Looking forward to getting to know y'all!