Devign

Tom explores what it actually means to have a successful project, and how there are different ways to define this. Nick runs through some of his biggest project failures and the learnings from them. Could they have been avoided?

Tom and Nick chat about the different modes of learning. Tom has been through a wide gamut of modes from a university degree all the way to free online short courses. Is a degree needed or preferred in the development and design industries?  How can you get ahead and become a powerful self-learner in this industry? How do you stay motivated? Is it all worth it?

Tom explains how as he has developed his business there is less time doing, and more time thinking. Trying to discouple the idea that your value is your output.  Tom tries to answer the question “should I work for myself” and gets to the heart of the differences between running a business and working in an agency.

Nick runs through what an average day looks like for him and how it has evolved over time. But is there even such a thing as an average day anymore? He currently lives in a van while traveling around Australia - is this lifestyle sustainable in this line of work? Resources; Peter Cook - New Rules of Management David Allen - Getting Things Done Email Charter

Is it best practise to develop websites mobile first? Should we always design websites mobile first? What does mobile first actually mean anyway? We come back to one of the founding ideas of devign - the more we learn about each other’s profession, the better we become at our own.

How can we create websites that are more inclusive with limited resources? What is step one if I am just starting to become aware of the need for website accessibility? We can begin by understanding our biases and putting ourselves in the shoes of other people visiting websites. Do you know what focus indicators are used for? Tom didn’t up until a few weeks ago, but realised he was deleting some important base styles and in doing so excluding people from accessing the website. Focus indicators are an important navigational tool.

Today, Nick and Tom discuss what makes for a seamless microinteraction and playfully poke fun at which effects can inhibit user experience. Sometimes interactions are fun and lure us in, but other times they are annoying and drive us away. Join us in breaking down why.

How useful is wireframing for building websites? Some argue it has become entirely redundant. Prototyping tools like figma have helped to reduce the barriers for designing experiences which are closer to the end product. But are wireframes a necessary evil for gaining client approval, and for designers and developers to align? Or do wireframes leave too much to the imagination and set unrealistic expectations? Or is it that wireframing becomes subconscious as we advance as designers and developers? Episode resources: Ian Spalter Product Designer - Netflix the art of design https://www.netflix.com/au/title/80057883

Recorded pre-COVID. Niche. Niche, niche, niche. Did we say niche? Devign’s first European podcast episode brings Brent into the fold to talk about the differences between marketing a product, yourself as a service provider and yourself as an expert. Positioning as an expert means your knowledge and skills are way more scalable. Get paid to do the thinking.

Recorded pre-COVID. Make Them Talk founder Teri joins us this week to discuss social media strategy. When anyone with a device is posting on social media, how do you produce creative content with a strategic intent? How do you use data and industry insights to create and then focus your social marketing efforts? Terri explains strategic audience targeting and using your point of difference to start the conversation with customers. 

Recorded pre-COVID. Shining light on the importance of words, we jump into Marion’s mind. How do you tailor copy, and a brand, to the end customer instead of yourself?  The industry is changing to a more conversational tone and a more collaborative process. Understanding the client, their customers, and people in general is a requirement when trying to engage them in the ever increasing volume of advertising. 

Kicking off season 3, recorded pre-COVID, we chat with George from Pie Creative about our experiences working in agencies. George stresses the importance of getting comfortable with presenting your ideas and work and being open to criticism - it will happen a lot in the real world - and you will grow from it.   We explore the main differences between a university education and the requirements of an agency job. What can you expect when you get your first agency role?

This week we catch up with Samuel Gregory to discuss the types of roles that exist in web development. Sam runs a brand strategy and design studio called Jupiter And The Giraffe, currently based in Bali. Sam and Nick distinguish between front end and back end, while Tom gives his two cents on how varied design roles can be. Lil nugs: Backend is business logic interacting with a database Frontend is the visual presentation of data Learning php can be a great way to build on front end knowledge and start to understand back end Episode resources: The 8 point grid - Using multiples of 8 to define dimensions, padding, and margin of elements Design systems - A Figma publication for design systems creators, designers, developers, and managers Flexbox froggy - fun game for learning css flexbox

This week we discuss pricing with Corey Dodd, founder and operator of boutique graphic design studio Elk Creative. So how much should you charge for a logo? Or for a website? What if a client doesn’t have the budget available? When should we talk about money with a prospect? The truth is, there isn’t a single approach that will work every time. A range of factors will determine which way to go. But there are some tips we can share with you from our personal experiences. Tune in to find out.   Lil nugs: Calculate minimum fees before going into a conversation with a potential client. Always discuss price during the first conversation. It’s okay to not work on every project opportunity that comes through. The budget isn’t always available. Sometimes the fit just isn’t there. It is better to identify this early. If putting together a fixed bid based on hours, consider all of the factors that go into executing the project, like communications, project management, revisions, etc. Say a price before showing a price. Price should be spoken about with a prospect before a number appears in a proposal   Episode resources: Win Without Pitching - Blair Enns Price anchoring Never Split the Difference - Chris Voss Ditching Hourly - Johnathan Stark 2Bobs - Conversations on the art of creative entrepreneurship

This week we are joined by Andrew Kerton, co-founder of Lynx Digital and Nick’s business partner to discuss goal setting. What are some great goal setting techniques? What are some approaches to avoid? Should we set goals at all? Lil nugs: External accountability can be the most powerful factor when it comes to achieving a goal. If you work on your own, find a person to partner up with for goal setting A good way to test the clarity of a project - can it be explained to a 5 year old and, can they determine whether or not it succeeded? Goals need to align with our own values. If they are based on what someone else wants, chances are we won’t be as passionate about achieving them Episode resources: New Rules of Management - Peter Cook Scrum - The Art of Doing Twice The Work in Half The Time Creative Strategy and the Business of Design - Douglas David

This week we are joined by our friend Sharnee Taylor, a Melbourne based Illustrator. Some of Sharnee’s best ideas hit just before falling asleep. It’s fascinating - often when we switch off from a particular project, the best ideas start to flow. While scrolling through the internet can be a good starting point for awakening the imagination, too much of it can leave us frazzled. Lil nugs: Get away from the computer if you feel you have hit a creative block. Sometimes just moving to another part of your workspace can help. It can be really helpful to organise sources of inspiration into folders so that they are easy to sift through next time you have a similar project. Make your own references of things where possible. For example, take your own photo or do your own sketch rather than saving a google image. Having a wide range of sources of inspiration will lead to more unique and interesting work. Episode resources: Sharnee Taylor Stripe - source of technical inspiration, using CSS grid and transforms in innovative way Siteinspire - website design inspiration

When is the right time to launch a business idea? Is there a danger in saying yes to something we haven’t done before? Where can I find a community of like minded people? On this episode we talk with John Duffield, digital experience strategist. Lil Nugs; Immerse yourself in inspiring environments. Where people are implementing. It fuels creativity. It can help to break through limiting beliefs. Fly the plane while you build it - document projects as they are being executed. It makes developing case studies much easier. By the end of the project most of the story has already been told. Mix things you are passionate about into your projects. The chance of you seeing it through is infinitely higher. It’s easy to get tunnel vision. Take time out to reflect on progress and celebrate wins.  Episode resources; Richard Branson quote - “If somebody offers you an amazing opportunity but you are not sure you can do it, say yes – then learn how to do it later!” Build the plane while you fly it - How to learn more while innovating

How do we identify our niche and communicate that in a memorable and relevant way? What should a content strategy consider in 2019? How do we balance writing for humans and robots? This week we discuss content strategy with Scott Williams - content marketer, SEO specialist and co-founder of Child In Me, a creative studio helping good people do good things in digital design and branding.

“I need a website”. We often hear this at the beginning of a conversation with a potential client. But blindly accepting this diagnosis can lead to problems. We explore how to effectively diagnose business problems, by asking the right questions to reveal the biggest challenges faced. Only then can solutions begin to be considered. On this episode, we are joined by Lauren Simpson, founder of brand consulting and creative agency Cureative.

How do I enter a new industry? How do I build a bridge between where I am now and where I want to be? On this episode we catch up with Alex Eyre, IT service delivery manager and developer in the making. We discuss shifting professional focus, and how to take the leap of faith and land on your feet.

This week we launch into the galaxy of User Experience design.  Why begin with the challenges of the end user? How can this help achieve business goals?  In order to create a meaningful experience, it’s critical to understand the person we are designing and developing something for. Joining us is the legendary Caroline Lam, a digital designer and strategist driven by a fascination with human behaviour.

This week we lean in to our fears. We shine a light on one of the scariest subjects - F##kups. We all make them, they are a natural part of being human. But what do you do when the poo poo hits the fan? Run and hide, or take ownership and help solve the problem? On this episode, we are joined by special guest Kody Deretic, co-founder of boutique agency Child In Me and drinking card game Cup of Kings. Content warning: this episode is peppered with a few expletives.

This week we take a look at the bones of a website, Information architecture. In the final episode for season one, we give tips on how to set up a framework that maintains continuity throughout your site. We take into account user behaviour as we discuss the best way to represent hierarchy and relationships between elements on a site. For those playing the DEVIGN drinking game, make sure you take a sip every time Nick says the word; semantics…

We focus much of this week's episode around using grid systems as an aid when designing for the web. We discuss the use of CSS grid and Flexbox when creating layouts taking into account how each can be used to organise content groups. This allows designers and developers to build a website that is more easily digestible for the end user. Finally, special attention is paid to creating contrast in visual hierarchy by using multiples of 8 pixels when determining the size of elements.

They say that in space, no one can hear you scream… But in design, space is what allows your design to breathe, and in turn, speak to your audience.  In this episode we explore the vital role grid systems play in effective communication. Whether that be from coding a website to deliver consistent messaging across various device displays. Or adjusting your design in order to improve readability from your chosen typeface. We take a look at when and how animation can be used to make visual communication clearer, as well as what tools to use as an animation increases in complexity. Ultimately, we aim to identify how to achieve clarity and consistency when delivering our messaging.

In a week brimming with nuggets of insight, we begin with the importance of building good relationships with clients and how it makes work experiences much more enjoyable. We emphasise managing expectations from the outset. Tired of billing by the hour? Project or value based pricing might help you level up.  Special attention is given to positioning in our industry, and the role messaging plays in rising above the noise. At the end of the day, you want to be known for creating something valuable for a distinct audience. In focusing on your area of expertise, you may need to reject projects to provide room for the right opportunities. We discuss when to say that scary, but often empowering, response to job requests: “No”.

In this episode we outline the broad range of benefits of using task management software. Nick highlights that using task management software creates benefits in both your organisation of work, as well as in your personal mindset – by performing a brain dump we free up our ability to think clearly. As well as looking into the what-to-do of task management we also look into the when-to-do-it. Nick and Tom suggest setting up projects in 3 month intervals in order to strike a balance between urgency and achievability. Throughout the episode, we observe how employing a task management software can lead to; transparency with your client, scalability across projects, and provide continuous process improvement. By better understanding how you work you will discover opportunities for new efficiencies in your workflow.

Nick and Tom discuss the pros and cons of using a colour palette generator. While they are a good starting point, to create distinct visual communication you need to push further.  Nick provides an introduction to additive vs subtractive color outlining the differences between each. In each case anticipating where colour will appear (in both digital and physical environments) is important for a cohesive brand experience. Tom touches on how colour is part of a larger design system. Colour is a cog in the engine. Alone it is meaningless. But when partnered with other components of a design system, it makes a brand’s motor roar.

In this episode we reflect on the life experiences that led us to where we are today. Tom sees patience and persistence as essential for surviving the first few years in business - sometimes the biggest opportunity is just around the corner. Nick explains the benefits of working on real projects over course work, emphasising that external accountability is critical to get a project done. We discuss how mentorship is beneficial for both parties – sharing tips on how to interact with a mentor should you be lucky enough to have one! Finally we unpack the question; ‘when do I myself, take on a mentee?’ Hint… It’s sooner than you think.

We assess the current CMS landscape noting that:  Template based solutions tend to be cheaper but more limiting. Custom  solutions are more expensive but have the ability to solve more complex problems. Tom emphasises establishing the clients budget up front – managing expectations for what is achievable before beginning the design and development process. Nick mounts a defense for Wordpress which he feels has unfairly become the “Nickleback of the CMS world.”

Tom dives into the dark art of letter spacing and the importance of trusting your eyes over taking a mathematical approach. Through this we learn to appreciate the subtle dance between positive and negative space. Nick describes the relationship developers must have with typography in order to keep interfaces both beautiful and functional. He outlines considerations for characters used, font file types, and page layout. Tom highlights issues a designer might run into if they fail to consider typography licensing early in their process.

In this episode we explore common myths surrounding design and development. Nick gives insights on how to avoid drowning in the deep end when first exploring the world of development. And we analyse how developers who flirt with design gain considerable advantage in enhancing the user experience (by grouping elements semantically). Tom explains that great design does not happen by chance. It is deliberate in its approach. At the end of a project there should be no grand reveal, no surprise, but rather the utterance… “Of course.”