So, I have a whole list of things to do today. And I decided, that during this 2 hour gap I have in my *cough* schedule *cough* is perfect for doing this work.
Basically, there is a thing at work, where to get all different departments in the call centre working better together, they have decided to create communities, with teams with different abilities. Well, to try and help promote these communities, they are going to try and create a name for them, and get as many people as possible involved. It’s kind of moral boosting, and seems to be designed to get people working together more.
So, the team leaders have been asked to utilize their teams, and think of ways to bring the communities together. I was asked to try and come up with some ideas for logos. Which is good experience, and is all stuff for my portfolio. So, I am rather happy about that.
I have my sketch book out and I’m ready to work. We’ll see how this goes. 🙂
So, I have done a little bit of re-modelling, to help wordpress be more homely. So, rather happy that it seems to all look ok. Well, for me, writing after 2am, sitting in my bed, it looks ok. *shrugs* My thoughts may be different when I am actually awake at a reasonable hour.
I guess I needed to add a little personal touch to proceedings, as this blog reaches second birthday in a few months, and it looked as bland as a boyband. Considering all I did was draw the lettering at work, and spent 5 minutes scanning it into the PC before uploading, it looks good. I think it is one of these things, the stuff you spend no time on at all, looks better than the things you spend AGES on.
I think this blog now looks a lot more organised than it did, because I am NEVER organised, so I never spent anytime on how it looked. Mostly because writing has been the only thing I have had any motivation in, AT ALL, so I never even worked on a banner. Sad times. But right now, I am back to using Photoshop on a daily basis, and am feeling so creative.
It’s such a good feeling after having nothing for so long. I go through phases of productivity, which if you have read this before, then you may have an idea of. And, although I still have periods where I can’t do anything, there are becoming more ‘ups’ than ‘downs’. Which is a relief, considering this is what I want to do with my life.
Other than working for Sky, of course. That was a life ambition. *rolls eyes*
One of the topics I moaned about on my reccent video, was the change of the YouTube homepage. Something that I am not a fan of. I understand why a site may need to update its stylings every so often, but sometimes those changes are for the worse. Maybe not in the eyes of who manages the site in question, but for the users.
It has been proven that if a user accesses a site, and finds their favourite features removed and the site has changed beyond all recognition, they will leave the site. Why? Well, like anything, people use a service they feel familiar with and then the user will create some personal connection with the site. This is good for whoever runs the site, because any users who make a connection with a site, they will become repeated users. Which is a good thing for any site, as you can probably guess.
The issue with having users so personally attatched to a website, is that these people are resistant to change. Whilst they may accept subtle changes, here and there, if the site undergoes a complete overhaul, there is a chance the frequent users will stop using the service. It is a risk, a risk that the site creator needs to evaluate fully before they make any changes. Some sites even go to the lengths of asking their users, what they would like to see on the site.
But what are the main things could put people off a site, if it where to be changed?
1)Colour. Although this seems unimportant in the grand scheme of the site and what it is used for, the colour is what people first notice about the site, and if it is changed to something on the other side of the colour spectrum, it could bewilder users. The best example of this is probably Facebook. The site is designed in blue and white, and without looking too much into the content of the site, most of its users will recognise it based on colour, without reading anything on the actual web page. The colours have become part of the brand identity of Facebook, so it is important for that to stay on the site, no matter what changes is made. It is actually proven, that you can get away with changing a site subtly (moving columns around,etc) as long as the colour is the same, because it is still familiar.
2)Logo. Every website online has some kind of logo. A logo which allows a user to instantly recognise what it is that they are using. Whenever you go onto a website, most users will automatically look at the top of the page, to see the logo. Something which adds familiarity onto a site, and is something that will stick in the mind of a user. It is why Logos are used for all businesses, it is an easy way to advertise. If you have a really good logo, it will become embedded in a client’s mind, and the client will use the service again. On a website, a logo can sometimes be a little bit of personality, to allow a person to become attached to the site or business.
3)Features. If you have people visiting a website, it is usually because they are there for a specific purpose. If the site owner re-sites some of the features, this could confuse some users and could put them off from visiting again. Usually, if it is something simple such as changing the font, or the arrangement of a particular column, then people will accept the changes, and move on. But, if you do something such as remove something from the main screen, then you have the chance that they could become lost, and the effort of figuring out a new way of doing things, can make someone go elsewhere. The best, most recommended, way to do any major changes, is to put a guide on the main page, telling people how to find features if they have been re-sited. If you get rid of a feature, again, be honest with the user and let them know what’s happened. If you are upfront and honest, the client will make that personal connection with you, and there is more chance of them sticking around the service.
To me those are the three main things that are normally changed on a site, and why I think they could put off people. Normally if you provide a really good service, you will get away of making changes to the site, but be aware its not always the case. If you do want to change things, make the changes subtle, or even query your users. Whatever you do, keeping clients in the ‘loop’ will keep them on your side, and should see you lose minimal business.
Positivity is not something I have lots of, so when I do feel in the higher levels of the mood spectrum, I feel I should share it. Mostly to show that I am capable on things other than just moaning a lot. So I feel that my odd positive days, should be embraced to the full, because it’s only fair. I mean, I seem to go on and on about my bad days, so good days should be the same. Right?
I have spent the last few days catching up on Vlogs, Blogs and various other titbits I keep myself amused online. I have not been online as consistently as I usually am, and that leads to me falling behind on things. *facepalm* But being a dedicated ‘Internet-er’, I dedicate hours of my time getting caught up on things. And besides, hanging around on YouTube all day, is a lot more appealing than housework. Not that tidying up is unappealing, I just would rather do anything else. *shrugs* Hey, at least I’m not kidding myself.
An update on my C.V. ? Ummm….I have all the gritty details done. I have all my qualifications and work experience typed up, just need to make it seem a little more appealing. It does look a little blah. I want to make it seem a little more creative and things. It would be nice to be able to have something that could represent my personality as well as all the boring facts. But, that just means I have to do more work on it than I actually thought. Which is a pain, but I plan to sit in on Saturday and blitz through it all. And have it ready to email off on Sunday.
That sounds painful, and it is.
My CV is a bit of a mess right now. Like how do I explain going from Vet Nursing to Graphic Design at college??
I just have to try and think of a way to put things positively. Like saying that at 26 I have never been on the dole, I have worked the whole time I was at college. That sounds a bit lame, but coming from where I do, a lot of people have to ‘sign on’ at least once in their life. So to me, that is a good thing.
Anyways, the CV is getting ‘worked on’ because I am applying for jobs. Be it in graphic design or not. I need a job where I can work full time hours, OR I need a daytime job. I am aiming for change this year. So am making myself do it properly.
When I get my CV update, it will appear on here, until I launch my site properly.
Yeah, this isn’t going to be a lengthy rant about anything, for a change. People will be happy, you are getting a break, LOL.
I have been emailing and contacting local bands and companies, looking to get some portfolio building done. Because I haven’t done any actual projects done in a long time, for the time being, work is being carried out FREE OF CHARGE! The only thing is, is that any work I will do, will be used online to advertise my work.
So if you want some free advsertising, and are looking for something created, such as posters, packaging or anything, I offer my services.
When you decide on attempting to start your own business, you will find yourself inundated with warnings about how difficult it will be. Most people, will be like me, and think that the received advice is a little bit over dramatic.
But, after 6 months of trying to get money and collect a plan worthy of successfully lifting a business off the ground, I am not really any further forward. It is hard, without having someone help schedule things, to actually get a decent volume of work done. I think that is what I am finding the most difficult thing, being able to keep up momentum.
I think I also miss the contact that I received with people trying to also find a good channel for their voice. Apart from the obvious coursework that was at college, it was a good forum for discussion and friendship. I guess that’s what I hope that this blog will do. Updated regular it gives a good idea of what me, as an author and an artist, have to say to the world.
But, I will keep on trying. At the moment my blog is the only thing that is updated regularly. This is because it is something I can update easily, where ever I am. I have also started an actual paper journal, which is good for helping me sort my thoughts. This is something which I’ll be able to use as reference material for pieces of work. Hopefully.
..apart from the poor souls working in a call centre. *coughs* Yes, apparently I have decided I don’t need much of a Christmas holiday this year, as I am working both the 25th and 26th. I am a bit of an idiot sometimes.
But I felt I should put that creativity into something productive. And that productivity was to make it so my domain name comes up with my wordpress blog. Which I cant do, because I have apparently forgotten almost everything to do with managing my site online. Which is so handy. I think I put off looking at it for too long. Mosly because I’m scared I’ll break it.
I need to get more confident with this stuff, because its the one side of things I am unsure of, and I refuse to take up any work related to it till I have a bit more confidence in it. But that is a good thing, because it means that I won’t be doing anything that is out of my league. And untill I am completely happy with the process, I don’t think I would be able to deliver something 100%. Work in progress, I guess.
Remember the simpler days of computer games? Want to revert back to the games of the 80s and early 90s. Well visit this, offically endorsed, site dedicated to the Sinclair ZX Spectrum.
This site includes thousands of Spectrum games, that will transport any gamer back to the age where computer games were simpler. It is something that will make geeks of a certain age well-up in nostalgia.
As well as ROMs for the majority of games listed on the site, there is also a huge library of magazine and package scans. Everything, even the sites retro design takes you back in time. And if you have the time, you can also help out by collecting information for the archives. They always need people to collect instructions and scans for a variety of games.
If you have a fondness for computer games and their history, I urge you to visit this site and just enjoy it.
When people ask me what type of girl I am, I never know exactly what to say to them. I mean I have the answer, where I say I love music and literature, but it always sounds a bit vague for someone to get an actual idea of what I’m like.
Well, today I found the perfect way to explain me and how crazy I am. I am the kind of girl who sees typographic wrapping paper, and gets more excited than a 3 year old after too many E numbers. Yes, I got all stupid in public over cheap wrapping paper. And it was really, really cheap, 3 rolls for £1, wrapping paper.
Anyways, I am not a big fan of shopping, and Christmas is the worst time of the year for me to be in a shopping centre. I am a short tempered, no-nonsense, in shops and out again, kind of shopper. And Christmas shoppers just ruin my routine of getting things done as quick as possible. So I get more aggravated, to the point I simply wish I hadn’t bothered.
In an odd moment of anger fuelled reflection, I went into the book shop and found myself reading the nativity story in the Good News Bible. The same bible I had when I went to church as a kid. Now, I am not a person who takes religion seriously, but I can see why people look at the bible to enlighten them. I mean, how has the simple story of the birth of a baby, transformed into people forcing themselves to go shopping? Its crazy.
I get people christmas presents, because I like the idea of giving people things that they’ll treasure and need. Its not about what’s biggest or most expensive, I like the idea of getting someone a gift they will use. Unfortunately, not everyone puts that much thought into things.
But then I look on something, like wrapping paper, that I think looks awesome, and know its just going to be thrown out when the presents are opened. It is rather annoying, but I guess that’s what happens when you give things to others. *shrugs*
sueriot.com 