Delivery Requirements for Portfolio Website

1. Display my Web and Design skills
The design of my online portfolio will showcase my design and web skills to a level that I am satisfied with. This I feel will be the hardest goal I have ever set myself.

*In order to achieve this goal I will have to scrutinise my own design work and choose a design that is attractive and easy to maintain.

2. An easily updateable portfolio
To regularly update my portfolio while my latest campaign is live to the public. To achieve this might require me gain an understanding CMS. If this is unachievable I may need to keep the layout simple* and use comments to highlight areas that need updating.

Learning how to use a CMS will be useful for me when I approach new start-up businesses that might require a self managed website solution.

*This will be measured by how easily the process is to do – creating a design that can accommodate new design work without being too busy is the solution.

3. High ranking in Search Engines Optimisation
To be listed high in the search engines is essential to attract potential new employers or clients to my website. In fact my last client asked if her site could be among the top five listed in Google*.

*Possessing an understanding how to improve SEO and track results in Search Engine Results Pages, such as Google’s tracking service that lists the most popular keywords that users may use while searching for similar sites.

4. Validated to XHTML 1.0 Strict and CSS ver 2.1 standards
*This goal goes without saying and has been a goal I have set myself in all the websites I have developed. Ensuring the website is validated to these standards goes towards improving SEO and will increase compatibility across browsers.

*Regularly checking the website by using the Validation services from W3C.

The final Semester

With only a few months left to complete the course I feel satisfied with my progress. Something I didn’t expect was creating digital artwork I could put in my portfolio.

As it gets closer to the end of the course I feel that I have I got out of the course more than I set out to achieve. I have been on a roller-coaster of emotions during the course and this is set to continue:

Currently I feel -

Apprehensive - about completing the Self Managed Learning Plan (SMLP) this will be difficult for me because the subject PHP doesn’t interest me and I would rather learn flash and Actionscript. Learning Hypertext Preprocessor (PHP) will stand me in good stead to further my career and broaden my horizons. Now a week behind after going on a Skiing holiday I need to dedicate any spare time I have to studying. Compiling a list of resources in my last blog should encourage me to conduct research and complete tutorials to learn PHP.

Excited - at the prospect of creating an online portfolio to showcase my design work, and

Nervous - about my final presentation but confidant that it will come together.

SMLP Resources

Hopefully by understanding PHP it will allow me to understand other programming languages such as perl, java and ruby.

1. www.killerphp.com
By watching a series of beginners PHP video tutorials I hope to understand a little more about PHP programming language.

2. www.webmonkey.com
Although the information provided he is limited it will get me started learning the very basics.

3. www.w3schools.com/PHP
Following the simple tutorials I hope to grasp a basic understand how to apply PHP to HTML and start to get to grips with it.

4. www.tizag.com
I will probably use this site to install php on to my mac and see how it differs to Dreamweaver. I would rather use Dreamweaver because I have become familiar with it.

5. PHP5 in easy steps by Mike McGrath
This book should allow me to learn PHP a step at a time.

6. How to Do Everything with PHP and MySQL by Vikram Vaswani
This is another book to practice techniques and encourage me to do some reading away from the computer.

While I am compiling this list I am beginning to understand why PHP is so important. So far I understand that if a website is developed just in HTML it appears static and no very interactive. PHP lets you create dynamic features that organise content to create an interactive user experience.

7. www.joe2torials.com
Although there are only 23 tutorials in this website they are easy to understand and are available in a print friendly version.

8. www.sitepoint.com
A site packed full of tutorials when I get more advanced, news and a forum to ask other people for help if I should get stuck. http://www.sitepoint.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=34

9. www.tutorialized.com
This seems a great resource for PHP Tutorials and every design other application.

10. www.hotscripts.com
With a range of tutorials from basic to advanced I can work my way through them.


Other tutorials if I get the time http://www.astahost.com/Great-Php-Tutorial-Sites-t19404.ht

Self managed learning plan - What do I need to know?

In order to identify a new skill I must first consider what potential employees require against the existing skills I possess.

Developing a self managed learning based on something I don’t know already will be quite easy due to my limited experience creating websites. While I understanding how different web languages play their part in the development of a website I have only used XHTML and CSS.

Web designers today are required to possess a working knowledge of graphic design and web packages to manipulate images and text to create the basic layout. Utilising skills in e-commerce and server side technologies, such as PHP are all vital in being a truly great web designer.

Reading a few jobs adverts these are just a few of the preferred skills:

Graphic Designer
Photoshop
Illustrator
InDesign
Artist
Developer
Producer
Studio manger
Editor
Writer
SEO specialist
Programmer
Usability
JavaScript
C++
Flash
PHP
.NET etc.

In today’s job climate many employers can afford to be choosy, employing a person with the right attributes is easy due the amount of potential applicants. Choosing an applicant that perfectly matches the job specification while going the extra mile is a commodity.

I will standout from the rest and escape mediocrity by constantly improving my skill set and thus achieving my full potential. What do I need to know to become more employable?

Since I lack any experience in using server-side technologies I feel that my self managed learning plan should include PHP. I will create a website in XHTML that uses CSS to style the site and PHP to do something. Unfortunately because I am not sure why, what and when I should use PHP my starting point will be research. Research how PHP is used in existing websites and the potential benefits it has for its users.

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Why are soft skills important

Soft, or social skills define your individuality and are interpersonal skills. They help other people to determine your character. Many of us don’t recognise that we have these skills but we all possess them. They are how we interact with each other; how we deal with problems; organise and motivate others; develop and communicate ideas based on clear and well-balanced decisions. All soft skills can be transferable to the work place. Giving employers an understand wether you can fit into a particular structure.

In my personal experience these skills can be broken into four sections:

1. Interaction

• In order to work effectively with other people it is vital that you maintain a positive attitude and co-operate with them to ensure you reach a positive solution, otherwise it can be an unproductive wallowing occasion.

• The ability to communicate clearly and openly with the ability to listen and respond empathetically.

• The ability to collaborate with others and influence situations through lateral and creative thinking.

• Handling conflict and seeing things from everyone's perspective.

• Willingness to work within a team and understand the limits of other team members.

• Flexible to adapt to the changing needs of an organisation.

2. Self-Management

• Prioritising what is important and scheduling a priority list.

• Willingness to learn new techniques and share these experiences with others.

• Managing time effectively both at work and at home, thus creating an health work/life balance.

3. Communication

• Delegating the correct job to the strengths of the individual.

• Ensuring written work, including email are representative of professional practice and possessing the understanding these communications are as vital as face-to-face communication.

• Promoting yourself and design presentation skills.

• Listening to feedback from clients.

4. Organising

• Trouble shooting solutions to problems before they occur.

• Organising time effectively to ensure projects can be delivered in the required time.

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RE: Job Advert

Selected job advert http://www.technojobs.co.uk/job.phtml/164876/web/developer/view.html

Why did I select this job ?
From the adverts I researched, I identified this particular advert because it opened the opportunity to do both website design and graphic design. The job would enhance my web design skills while retaining graphic design and links with the printing industry. Based in Sheffield, with a direct train link from Doncaster to Sheffield, I would be able to use public transport.

Skills and knowledge required
The technical skills required for the job include the ability to work across both Windows/Mac platforms and to use software applications including: Adobe Photoshop, Flash and Illustrator -Swift 3D, Dreamweaver, Fireworks, expertise web languages: -Html -JavaScript -ASP –XML and have a solid knowledge across web and print media.

What skills do I currently possess?
As an experienced graphic designer, I am proficient at using many of the applications listed above, across both Windows and Mac platforms. Possessing years of print experience and the ability to use Photoshop and illustrator at an advanced level, I have a sound understanding of design for print.

I feel confident that with my current XHTML/CSS knowledge using Dreamweaver and my knowledge to validate a website would be an asset to the communications team.

Skills still need to acquire
In relation to this advert, I need to use Flash, Swift 3D, Dreamweaver, Fireworks and a understanding of web languages that include: JavaScript, ASP and XML.

Before I start applying for jobs, I would like to develop a thorough understanding of xhtml/css, and create two online portfolio’s (one for web and the other for print) to showcase my works.

In conclusion
I am concerned that the advert fails to mention CSS or PHP, and Indesign a pre-requisite required for graphic design. The lack of these skills makes me wonder if the job advert is just set up to attract designers to be on the books of Evolution Recruitment Solutions Ltd. http://www.evolutionjobs.co.uk/

Learn today, work tomorrow

Ultilising my first year results as a benchmark, I seek to continue personal improvement. I will achieve my goals and fulfill my learning potential by dedicating my spare time to the course. Completing each assignment to the highest standard empowers my belief that all my aspirations are achievable.

I am really looking forward to the prospect of creating an online portfolio to showcase both digital and online works. A year ago even the thought of creating a website was unthinkable. Bewildered by web terminology I thought Perl was a found in a shell and PHP must be some sort of new qualification.

I hope the planned assignments will stretch and expand on my existing knowledge, focusing on new web technologies I am looking forward to enhancing my portfolio of skills, learning CSS, PHP and become fluent at the art of hand coding.

Despite possessing a challenging job I am not convinced I have achieved my full potential. My original intension for joining the course has not altered; in fact my thirst for learning has increased. I am now able to converse with professionals in the Industry at a technical level, when a year ago all this talk about div’s, XHTML and CSS seemed a foreign language. I feel confident that by completing the course will fulfill my learning goals and add another string to my bow. The year ahead will be an intense learning curve, an invaluable asset in preparation for future employment in the Design Industry.

I feel apprehensive but excited at the prospect of completing the course and gaining essential web skills. If the opportunity for completing a degree should present itself that fits into my current work situation then I would defiantly consider it. Enhancing on my curriculum vitae today will improve my chances of employability tomorrow.

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