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 strategist at Omnicom. 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.