By Kelly Richardson
kelly.richardson@graphicdesignschoolreview.com
Graphic Design School Review Columnist
It isn't enough to just want to be a professional Web site designer. Potential clients will want to see some examples of your work. Don't have any to show? Here are three great ideas for beginning projects that will demonstrate your ability to design and your willingness to see a project through to the end.
Being a professional Web site designer never happens overnight. It takes a "settling in" period of communicating with businesses and organizations to let them know you're available for their projects. Even then, they will want to see a sample portfolio of Web site designs you have authored. And if you don't have any, this can be an awkward moment. Finding designer projects is easy if you know where to look.
Simple Web Site Design Projects
- Church Web Site. Offer to do this one for free. Church Web site designs are simple in scope and will garner you lots of good contacts.
- Community Web Site. Community and civic organizations need Web site designers for various projects that will charge them reasonable rates.
- School Web Site. If you are in a Web site design program, use your class projects to market yourself to potential employers.
Why You Must Do Web Site Design Projects "On Spec"
Doing a Web site design on spec is a must if you aspire to become a highly-paid designer. Spec means that you do the job for free. Now before you get worried, you should know why it's absolutely a must to take on free assignments.
- Garner Experience. Working on spec assignments will allow you to practice your skills in a real-world Web site design environment.
- Show Your Skills. Doing spec assignments will also provide you with an arena to exhibit your abilities to your clients.
- Build a Client List. As you complete various spec assignments and employers can rely on your work, you will collect valuable industry contacts.
Get a Graphic Design Education
While the three simple projects noted above will help a new designer build a portfolio, your experience will count more if you have the training to back it up. Most graphic arts programs will even help you build your portfolio while you study, so it's unlikely that you'll walk away without practical samples of your ability. Research graphics design programs today!
About the Author
Kelly Richardson covers the local education and technology scenes in major cities across the country. His articles appear in educational journals, periodicals, and e-zines.
