Feel the fear... and do it anyway

Post by **Gambit37** » Tue Jan 13, 2004 2:13 am

Just a quick test of an alternate heading, compared with the current one -- It's small just so you get the overall effect:

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/matt_hill/compare.gif

Comments welcome.

beowuuf · Post by **beowuuf** » Tue Jan 13, 2004 8:35 am

Original white

PicturesInTheDark · Post by **PicturesInTheDark** » Tue Jan 13, 2004 9:06 am

The white one has a lighter note although I'D still prefer the black header if the curved line would not diminish the letter perception - which it does, at least in this size.

Regards, PitD

Post by **Gambit37** » Sat Jan 17, 2004 3:32 pm

Gah, after coming back to this I decided the orange was, well, too orangey. I've decided on a different colour scheme, and also a completely new logo. The curvey old one was nice but it doesn't really work in all possible situations (headed paper, business cards, movie credits

beowuuf · Post by **beowuuf** » Sat Jan 17, 2004 3:56 pm

Nice re-colour/tweak

I'm a sucker for red - i'd say 3c my favourite, 1c a second
Soemthing about the subtle lines and echo of the logo in the background makes it eye catching and 'dynamic'

I prefer the logo in 3, but both are equally good - if you ever wanted an initial animated graphic (though I'm sure you wouldn't), a quick transition from logo 1 and 3 would be sweet

Post by **Gambit37** » Sat Jan 17, 2004 4:32 pm

Heh, 3c is my fave too -- I'm just printing out a test business card and it looks pretty good! Glad I ditched the orange...

Post by **Gambit37** » Sat Jan 17, 2004 8:09 pm

OK, here's my (hopefully) final prototype -- it's a proper webpage, but it doesn't do anything yet (except the Links button *does* work). Comments - as always - very welcome:

http://www.resonantedge.com/sample/

beowuuf · Post by **beowuuf** » Sun Jan 18, 2004 7:06 pm

No constructive comments, it all seems good, the icons and subtle section divisions work l

PicturesInTheDark · Post by **PicturesInTheDark** » Mon Jan 19, 2004 12:06 pm

Beautiful colour! I also like the transparent pictures for each section, is there a shade of blue in them or simply a grey tone? Very impressive. Also like the top structure (very distinct, sharp font), giving it exactly the "edge" it has in the title).

Regards, PitD

Post by **Gambit37** » Sun May 02, 2004 7:08 pm

Blimey, took me a while to sort this all out, but I finally have my new portfolio online. Thanks to everyone for your input!

Do you think someone will give a job on the strength of this?

http://www.resonantedge.com/

beowuuf · Post by **beowuuf** » Mon May 03, 2004 5:22 pm

definitely perfect, looks the part, has enough of your work to be impressive - i'd certainly be proud of it as a visual CV

sucinum · Post by **sucinum** » Mon May 03, 2004 5:42 pm

after seeing the codex for the first time, i said you are an expert in webdesign, but now i have to correct to ee master at least

Des · Post by **Des** » Mon May 03, 2004 10:45 pm

A very high standard of work in my opinion (which is not entirely worthless as I've worked on Internet systems, albeit in the public sector, since 1998).

As for it landing you a job, I think it might help to take the Dungeon Master Codex bit off the front page. The reason is it will make people think of Dungeons and Dragons (the single most effective contraceptive device for young men in the 1980s) and thus unfairly label you as a socially inadequate nerd.

I may of course be totally wrong and these days fantasy RPG fans are considered cool....

... unlike TRON afficionados - check this out

http://www.ibiblio.org/jmaynard/TRONcostume/

Post by **Gambit37** » Mon May 03, 2004 11:46 pm

Hmmm, you may have a point there. The only problem is that it's one of the only sites I have designed that has a URL -- all others run on corporate intranets and aren't accessible on the web.

I wonder if that's why I've been having difficulty getting jobs..

Actually, I might remove the 'stuff' page too as it's a bit silly for a professional site.

beowuuf · Post by **beowuuf** » Tue May 04, 2004 12:04 am

depends what kind of company are lookign to employ you - they might liek someone putting some character and personality into their website : )

Post by **cowsmanaut** » Tue May 04, 2004 6:41 am

does it say it's *your* site? because otherwise you could simply be designing a geek site for a geek

moo

andyboy_uk · Post by **andyboy_uk** » Tue May 04, 2004 11:43 am

I think it looks fantastic. Very professional and a great portfolio. I hope you dont have to wait too long for some contracts to come rolling on in.

Nice work matey.

Post by **Gambit37** » Tue May 04, 2004 1:25 pm

Yeah, it does say it's mine, and yes It's a geek site designed for a geek -- me!

What the hell, I'll keep it there. I still think it loks good, regardless of what people might think. It's the working example that they are interested in, not the subject matter.

Thanks for the positive comments guys. I'm not too happy with some of the example stuff as it's very old. Additionally, I never was able to get better examples from my old company because of the way they treated us when we were made redundant. I hope that in time once I get work, I can put better stuff on here.

Perhaps things are looking up. Just last week I got an offer of a very small job that could lead to something bigger. Watch this space!

Post by **Gambit37** » Tue Jul 13, 2004 1:24 pm

Advice time guys! Please offer me your thoughts on my current situation:

After a long time trying to get work, I am now in a position where I have more work than I can handle, and I need to make some decisions.

I recently applied for a position as a webdesigner for Company A; as part of the application I did a free piece of work as proof of my competence. I was happy to do it, because frankly I agreed with the employer that the material on my portfolio wasn't that strong. They liked the work, and gave me a small freelance project for a couple of days to see what I'd be like to work with. They were happy with that work, and called me in for an interview. They have now offered me a one month FREELANCE contract as a trial, with a view to taking me on full time if things work out mutually well. However, they have offered me a very low fixed amount for the months work, far lower than my freelance rate.

Meanwhile, concurrently I've also been doing some freelance work for Company B. It was a pitch job, and they have now approached me to do the actual final job -- potentially 2 weeks work now, then a bit more in August and September.

Company A want me to start on Monday. Company B want me to start immediately.

I have not yet made any firm decisions, because of these factors:

1) Company A is offering low amount for a months work. I can earn the same in 10 days on my normal freelance rate. Clearly I will need to negotiate here (and in fact I think they are offering a deliberately low amount just to see what they can get away with).

2) I have already told Company B that I could work evenings and weekends to do the freelance project if accept the job at Company A. I would need to be able to fit in meetings some how, but this might work OK. They seem to agree with this in principle. I don't mind working very hard for a few weeks on two jobs as I really need the money

3) While I like the idea of working full time again, I'm not sure that I should be a pushover for Company A's terms -- so I will need to negotiate there

I'm torn between the need for money/job and recognising that I have a set of skills that are worth more. I also don't want to jump at the first thing that comes along if it's not paying very well -- but of course the reality is that I need to put food on the table, so low money is better than no money.

Thoughts and opinions gratefully received.

andyboy_uk · Post by **andyboy_uk** » Tue Jul 13, 2004 2:12 pm

Well, its definatley a tough one mate, but to be honest and if I had your skill and was in the same situation I would tell Company A to take a hike and do the freelance job for company B.

I wouldn't go back to work for someone else just yet, its only been a while and you seem to be in demand.

Negotiate the price up to around your freelance rate for Company A and take the job as a freelance (and not permanent). The contract market is picking up again now at a pretty good pace. I reckon you will be alright.

Thats just my opinion mind, I would love the idea of working for myself and If that involves working out of home as well, thats an extra bonus.

It will be very difficult to take a perm job and nip off for meetings at another place for what they will see as "private" work.

If you cant get them both on freelance, Id be tempted to tell company A that you cant do it until the end of COmpany B's project. If they dont like that they cant take your normal contract rates (and you work your ass off). If they dont like that then tell them to take a hike. It sounds like their taking the piss anyway.

Just my 2p

Post by **Paul Stevens** » Tue Jul 13, 2004 4:41 pm

You don't really say which job seems more attractive from the
standpoint of being enjoyable work. I certainly do not want to
advise you on particulars. My only advice is to do what you
enjoy doing with the very real constraint of eating every day.

Ie: don't do something you don't like for money you don't need.

Post by **Gambit37** » Tue Jul 13, 2004 4:50 pm

Both jobs involve work that I find equally enjoyable. It's more to do with the longer term security offered by company A , against the shorter term -- but more lucrative -- project for company B. While company A are not offering much money for the initial month, I understand that it is on the basis of a better paid full time position if they like me and my work... and right now, I need all the money I can get, so doing both would be best (but exhausting).

beowuuf · Post by **beowuuf** » Tue Jul 13, 2004 5:58 pm

You certainly want company A to properly define their full-time contract conditions since they have already interviewed you and had a few days work from you!

You could offer to reduce your freelance rate down to company A's only on the proviso that a full time contract is offered afterwards. If there is no offer, then you will charge the usual rate as if it were any other company's freelance work.

Have you sounded out company A about the company B work? You could call it loose ends of a contract you are finishing off with - that the bulk will not interfere with normal work, and reassure them that at worst residual meetings and feedback will not last beyond august/september.

Post by **cowsmanaut** » Tue Jul 13, 2004 9:31 pm

Did they say "better money when you are full time"? Or is this assumed? and what kind of better money.. would it be worth it.. And what is their projection for the amount of work they will need done over the next few years?

would be bad to be exploited in the hopes of fulltime work after the current project only to have the say.. we didn't promise that.. bye bye

Not to be a stick in the mud but this has happened to others I know.

moo

Post by **Lunever** » Wed Jul 14, 2004 5:05 pm

Hey cool! I definitely recommend trying to do both jobs for a short period of time if you are really able to integrate them into your time schedule (although I maybe shouldn't say that, lest you'll drown in work when I'll be visiting you - but there are things more important than that). Wish you good luck leaving redundancy!

Post by **Gambit37** » Mon Jul 19, 2004 5:54 pm

Well, a positive update! I negotiated better terms on the full time job: no trial period, a higher yearly salary (although still quite low), and an immediate start on Monday 26th -- which gives me the rest of this week to work on the freelance project to get the bulk of it done. Anything that happens on the freelance project after this week I'll do after my full day job -- I don't mind working hard for a few weeks as the money is really important right now.

So here's to celebrate me leaving the world of unemployment benefit and daytime TV!

I will be working for http://www.nixonmcinnes.co.uk
I am currently freelancing for http://www.cogapp.com

beowuuf · Post by **beowuuf** » Mon Jul 19, 2004 6:35 pm

That's great...big congratulations, especially the lack of trial period too...more money! Shame the the salary didn't get pushed higher, but full time employment is good - plus if there is some freelance you can get from this other company later on too, then also good : )
Glad your months of unemployment have finally come to an end!

Anyway, so who are you?
Don't let gambit37 spot you using his name...

Post by **cowsmanaut** » Tue Jul 20, 2004 3:46 am

yeah, it's basically the way of things. You take the extra freelance to get the luxuries in life. The day job keeps the roof over the head and the food in the tummy.

Anyway congrats on sucessfull negotiations.. Always good to hear a friend dragging his soggy ass out of the rushing and ever deadly river of unemployment!

Hey Fuzzball.. you show your forum longevity by reffering to him as Gambit37.. he's not been that for a while near as I can tell... unless you guys still use the old boards still

moo

beowuuf · Post by **beowuuf** » Tue Jul 20, 2004 8:40 am

huh? i could swear he was until like two days ago...someone ever called him gambit37 the day before and i was like 'heh, they say that the day he gets rid of it

*confused*

actually, i hadn't realised that the IT market here was actually quite bad until someone recently mentioned the trouble they had gettign work - so double nice one for getting the job!

Post by **Gambit37** » Tue Jul 20, 2004 1:59 pm

Yeah, I only just changed the nick by dropping the 37... just in case anyone thought I was actually 37! I'll be 32 in August.

Thanks for congrats all -- my new Boss just sent me the spec of the PC they've bought me -- Yummy! 2 Flat screens! Woo - hoo!!