Real Reads No. 16
By Steph Martin | A selection of Real Owl’s favourite articles all under one cover
4 Things Every Designer Should Know About Whitespace
Whitespace (or “negative space”) is an empty space between and around objects of a page. Elements of whitespace in graphical user interfaces …
UI DesignI work for a fixture-making company in a small, industrial town. They’ve been in business for sixty...
<i>I work for a fixture-making company in a small, industrial town. They’ve been in business for sixty two years, and their employee lineup has been</i> …
GiraffesI work in a print shop. A client signed off on a proof for a shower invitation. I suggested a...
<i>I work in a print shop. A client signed off on a proof for a shower invitation. I suggested a few changes that she rejected – she wanted what she</i> …
SaltClient: We have to fix the website. I typed in “Jane Doe” as my username when I was testing the...
<b>Client:</b> We have to fix the website. I typed in “Jane Doe” as my username when I was testing the site, and now it shows up for EVERYONE who tries to …
It's Not Dark Magic
Chances are if you're a web developer you're going to have to write some CSS from time to time. When you first looked at CSS it probably seemed like …
What if the thing you are most afraid of doing is the thing you are supposed to do?
I grew up watching <i>Star Wars,</i> and as much as I wanted to gravitate towards Princes Leia like a lot of my friends, Yoda was my guy.From his distinctive …
ArchivesWhy I’m rejecting the “hustle” mindset
<i>This is a post from a member of the Freelancers Union community. If you’re interested in sharing your expertise, your story, or some advice you think</i> …
EmploymentA returning customer who is a repeat offender for wanting last minute orders of hand written sheets...
<i>A returning customer who is a repeat offender for wanting last minute orders of hand written sheets typed up ASAP came in the other day. Her</i> …
SpellingSo I took on a pro bono project. I enjoy providing free work for those who I deem worth of it....
<i>So I took on a pro bono project. I enjoy providing free work for those who I deem worth of it. I’ve done it in the past and while those projects have</i> …
Publication Design5 productivity tips and tools
<i>This is a post from a member of the Freelancers Union community. If you’re interested in sharing your expertise, your story, or some advice you think</i> …
ProductivityEvery day is a new opportunity for growth
<i>This is a post from a member of the Freelancers Union community. If you’re interested in sharing your expertise, your story, or some advice you think</i> …
EntrepreneurshipI work at a marketing/advertising agency on the West Coast, in an area known for agriculture and...
<i>I work at a marketing/advertising agency on the West Coast, in an area known for agriculture and country-living despite being near to a major city.</i> …
MarketingNot a client from hell, but wanted to share this to show everyone that GOOD clients do...
<i>Not a client from hell, but wanted to share this to show everyone that GOOD clients do indeed exist.</i><i>An old client emailed me out of the blue:</i><b>Client:</b> …
NonprofitsWhite Space
One of the first things a burgeoning designer might learn is the concept of white, or negative, space. It's the idea that the empty space around your …
Advice for designers
Start by asking questions. Sketch, share your sketches, ask more questions. Don’t be precious with your work. Don’t hurry to finish.The post Advice …
Interaction DesignWork from home? Develop these habits
<i>This is a post from a member of the Freelancers Union community. If you’re interested in sharing your expertise, your story, or some advice you think</i> …
ProductivityClient: I noticed you changed some of the text.Me: I made some slight grammatical changes, yeah....
<b>Client:</b> I noticed you changed some of the text.<b>Me:</b> I made some slight grammatical changes, yeah. Mostly adding commas where they should be, etc. Is …
I set up, designed, and maintained a vanity blog for a bored, wealthy middle-aged woman. After a...
<i>I set up, designed, and maintained a vanity blog for a bored, wealthy middle-aged woman. After a few months she wanted analytics installed.</i><b>Client:</b> …
Middle Age12 Productivity Tips You Won't Believe!
I avoid Facebook.<p>It's a vortex of photos of clickbait links, uncles of people I don't know and a sanguine celebration of the mediocre achievements of …
Great Questions Lead to Great Design: A Guide to the Design Thinking Process
Great designers help teams and stakeholders make better decisions by using questions to identify opportunities, reveal underlying needs, and …
UX DesignClient: Why aren’t you in touch? You should be calling me once a day.Me: I didn’t think the job...
<b>Client:</b> Why aren’t you in touch? You should be calling me once a day.<b>Me:</b> I didn’t think the job required that much touching base, but if you’d like …
EmploymentClient: I’d like to hire you for a wedding shoot. Your website says initial meetings are free - is...
<b>Client:</b> I’d like to hire you for a wedding shoot. Your website says initial meetings are free - is that right?<b><br>Me:</b> That’s right. I’ll meet you to show …
WeddingsTo Hell With Subtle Design
Don’t try to be so damn subtle in web design.Okay, let me explain that…About a year or so ago, I made a terrible mistake: I tried to be funny; More …
UI Design