Running an app through its paces is crucial to iron out any wrinkles that may exist within it. The best way to do this is by completing user testing with actual users in your target audience. They will catch things that you won’t as a designer and will break things in ways that you never thought they could.

Whether it’s a design project or a photography assignment, I constantly hear that people “don’t have the budget,” or they ask if I’ll work for cheaper, or worse—if I’ll accept payment in “exposure” or some other intangible perk. Learning to say no to these clients is a critical skill. But still, it’s worth asking: Is there ever a time when it actually makes sense to work for free?

Running an app through its paces is crucial to iron out any wrinkles that may exist within it. The best way to do this is by completing user testing with actual users in your target audience. They will catch things that you won’t as a designer and will break things in ways that you never thought they could.

There are plenty of other careers that pay more and offer greater financial security. But the work we do fulfills us. We create because, for some reason, it speaks to us in a way others might not understand. However, when that passion becomes your full-time job, the line between hobby and profession begins to blur.

Although it may be tempting to go right to Figma and create a beautifully designed app, it is best to start on good old pen and paper.

By drawing simple wireframes on paper, we can begin to truly visualize the app and how users may interact with it. The beauty of low-fidelity prototypes is that they give us a really good idea of the exact moves a user will make.

I’ve written about empathy more than once on this blog. It’s the first step in the design thinking process and, in my opinion, by far the most important. Whether you’re a designer, filmmaker, or any kind of creative, your work has to begin with empathy.

Finding a job in graphic design isn’t easy. It’s a competitive field that hasn’t seen much growth in recent years, and standing out is more important than ever. There are key traits you need in order to stand out beyond your work. I’m talking about the intangibles. What makes you good to work with? What qualities do you bring that add value to your team or clients? These are the things I focus on to differentiate myself in the job market.

By creating what are called user flowcharts, we can determine the journey that users will go on when navigating your app. These are useful for getting to know and understand your user on a deeper level.

The world is always changing—and so is the way we see it. What used to be cool isn’t anymore. What used to be considered a lot of money is now pocket change. Public perception ebbs and flows, and we need to take this into account when designing for brands.

Phone apps—let’s face it, we basically live on them. From productivity to social life to entertainment, apps have become deeply integrated into every part of our daily routines. Mobile applications can also be powerful tools for businesses and organizations, giving people easy, on-the-go access to the information they need. With just a few taps, users can interact with services, resources, and communities—right from their pockets.

Municipal websites, in particular, serve as critical resources for local communities. They provide access to government services, permit applications, community updates, and vital information on public safety and education. However, when poorly designed, these sites become barriers rather than bridges—leaving users frustrated, confused, and sometimes unable to complete basic tasks.

Artificial intelligence – it seems to be the latest buzzword that everyone is talking about. Some people are scared, others are skeptical. These worries aren’t without merit, but I don’t think we have anything to fear. The reality is that AI is transforming the digital landscape and reshaping creative jobs—but it’s not replacing us.

The basis of all creative and design projects is an idea. An idea for something new and innovative or something that simply solves a problem you are having. However, you can’t simply take an idea and run with it. You must take that need for a solution and exhaust every possible idea of how to solve it until you find the best result. This process is called ideation.

I wanted to create a piece with a comedic touch, drawing inspiration from Apple’s style and Star Wars visuals—specifically, the opening scene of A New Hope, where the massive ship drifts through space. The influence is pretty evident in the final video above.

When it comes to our time on the web, we may not notice all of the small pieces of animation and motion that create a more positive experience for us. It is the small details that make all of the difference and motion is a big part of that.

A few weeks ago, when I began exploring motion graphics, I created an animated GIF of my personal logo. Overall, I think it turned out solid — the decision to have each icon draw itself complemented the whimsical vibe of the design. However, I wanted to take a different approach — one that (1) included the full logo and (2) felt more professional while still maintaining the whimsy of the original version.

Where other modern forms of animation often their own creation as a result of drawing or computer-generated imagery, stop motion is all done using real objects. Modern software also makes the process quicker, negating the need for 100% frame-by-frame work for many applications.

It all begins with an idea.

It all begins with an idea.

It all begins with an idea.