Tom explores what it actually means to have a successful project, and how there are different ways to define this. Nick runs through some of his biggest project failures and the learnings from them. Could they have been avoided?

Devign

Devign - Failure & Success - S04E08

Tom and Nick chat about the different modes of learning. Tom has been through a wide gamut of modes from a university degree all the way to free online short courses. Is a degree needed or preferred in the development and design industries?  How can you get ahead and become a powerful self-learner in this industry? How do you stay motivated? Is it all worth it?

Devign - Self Taught - S04E07

Tom explains how as he has developed his business there is less time doing, and more time thinking. Trying to discouple the idea that your value is your output.  Tom tries to answer the question “should I work for myself” and gets to the heart of the differences between running a business and working in an agency.

Devign - Day in the Life of a Potate - Tom - S04E06

Nick runs through what an average day looks like for him and how it has evolved over time. But is there even such a thing as an average day anymore? He currently lives in a van while traveling around Australia - is this lifestyle sustainable in this line of work? Resources; Peter Cook - New Rules of Management David Allen - Getting Things Done Email Charter 

Devign - Day in the Life of a Potate - Nick - S04E05

Is it best practise to develop websites mobile first? Should we always design websites mobile first? What does mobile first actually mean anyway? We come back to one of the founding ideas of devign - the more we learn about each other’s profession, the better we become at our own.

Devign - Responsiveness - S04E04

How can we create websites that are more inclusive with limited resources? What is step one if I am just starting to become aware of the need for website accessibility? We can begin by understanding our biases and putting ourselves in the shoes of other people visiting websites. Do you know what focus indicators are used for? Tom didn’t up until a few weeks ago, but realised he was deleting some important base styles and in doing so excluding people from accessing the website. Focus indicators are an important navigational tool.

Devign - Accessibility - S04E03

Today, Nick and Tom discuss what makes for a seamless microinteraction and playfully poke fun at which effects can inhibit user experience. Sometimes interactions are fun and lure us in, but other times they are annoying and drive us away. Join us in breaking down why.

Devign - Interactions - S04E02

How useful is wireframing for building websites? Some argue it has become entirely redundant. Prototyping tools like figma have helped to reduce the barriers for designing experiences which are closer to the end product. But are wireframes a necessary evil for gaining client approval, and for designers and developers to align? Or do wireframes leave too much to the imagination and set unrealistic expectations? Or is it that wireframing becomes subconscious as we advance as designers and developers? Episode resources: Ian Spalter Product Designer - Netflix the art of design https://www.netflix.com/au/title/80057883

Devign - Wireframes - S04E01

Recorded pre-COVID. Niche. Niche, niche, niche. Did we say niche? Devign’s first European podcast episode brings Brent into the fold to talk about the differences between marketing a product, yourself as a service provider and yourself as an expert. Positioning as an expert means your knowledge and skills are way more scalable. Get paid to do the thinking.

Devign - How to Market your Professional Expertise - S03E04

Recorded pre-COVID. Make Them Talk founder Teri joins us this week to discuss social media strategy. When anyone with a device is posting on social media, how do you produce creative content with a strategic intent? How do you use data and industry insights to create and then focus your social marketing efforts? Terri explains strategic audience targeting and using your point of difference to start the conversation with customers. 

Devign - Social Media Strategy - S03E03

Recorded pre-COVID. Shining light on the importance of words, we jump into Marion’s mind. How do you tailor copy, and a brand, to the end customer instead of yourself?  The industry is changing to a more conversational tone and a more collaborative process. Understanding the client, their customers, and people in general is a requirement when trying to engage them in the ever increasing volume of advertising. 

Devign - The Power of Words - S03E02

Kicking off season 3, recorded pre-COVID, we chat with George from Pie Creative about our experiences working in agencies. George stresses the importance of getting comfortable with presenting your ideas and work and being open to criticism - it will happen a lot in the real world - and you will grow from it.   We explore the main differences between a university education and the requirements of an agency job. What can you expect when you get your first agency role?

Devign - Working in a Studio - S03E01

This week we catch up with Samuel Gregory to discuss the types of roles that exist in web development. Sam runs a brand strategy and design studio called Jupiter And The Giraffe, currently based in Bali. Sam and Nick distinguish between front end and back end, while Tom gives his two cents on how varied design roles can be. Lil nugs: Backend is business logic interacting with a database Frontend is the visual presentation of data Learning php can be a great way to build on front end knowledge and start to understand back end Episode resources: The 8 point grid - Using multiples of 8 to define dimensions, padding, and margin of elements Design systems - A Figma publication for design systems creators, designers, developers, and managers Flexbox froggy - fun game for learning css flexbox 

Devign - Roles In Development - S02E10

This week we discuss pricing with Corey Dodd, founder and operator of boutique graphic design studio Elk Creative. So how much should you charge for a logo? Or for a website? What if a client doesn’t have the budget available? When should we talk about money with a prospect? The truth is, there isn’t a single approach that will work every time. A range of factors will determine which way to go. But there are some tips we can share with you from our personal experiences. Tune in to find out.   Lil nugs: Calculate minimum fees before going into a conversation with a potential client. Always discuss price during the first conversation. It’s okay to not work on every project opportunity that comes through. The budget isn’t always available. Sometimes the fit just isn’t there. It is better to identify this early. If putting together a fixed bid based on hours, consider all of the factors that go into executing the project, like communications, project management, revisions, etc. Say a price before showing a price. Price should be spoken about with a prospect before a number appears in a proposal   Episode resources: Win Without Pitching - Blair Enns Price anchoring Never Split the Difference - Chris Voss Ditching Hourly - Johnathan Stark 2Bobs - Conversations on the art of creative entrepreneurship 

Devign - Pricing - S02E09

This week we are joined by Andrew Kerton, co-founder of Lynx Digital and Nick’s business partner to discuss goal setting. What are some great goal setting techniques? What are some approaches to avoid? Should we set goals at all? Lil nugs: External accountability can be the most powerful factor when it comes to achieving a goal. If you work on your own, find a person to partner up with for goal setting A good way to test the clarity of a project - can it be explained to a 5 year old and, can they determine whether or not it succeeded? Goals need to align with our own values. If they are based on what someone else wants, chances are we won’t be as passionate about achieving them Episode resources: New Rules of Management - Peter Cook Scrum - The Art of Doing Twice The Work in Half The Time Creative Strategy and the Business of Design - Douglas David 

Devign - Goal Setting - S02E08

A podcast to explore where web development and design overlap. This podcast exists to equip and inspire the curious.

hubhopper

Devign

hubhopper