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Dry spells happen.
What do you do when you have no active projects? How do you prevent it from happening in the first place?
Tough times happen for sure, been there and I'm sure it will come again. What usually helps me most is: doubling down on getting new clients, work and extending on my portfolio pieces and pushing my own projects.
Indeed. It helps to be consistent even when there are active projects to keep the ball rolling.
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When do you know a design actually has enough?
In university, one of my professors kept using the word "suficiencia." There isn't a clean translation for it, but the idea was strict: if a detail adds meaning to the concept, it stays. If you're adding it just because it looks nice, it goes.
I didn't think much of it at the time. Now it's the question I ask before every project ships.
What's the one thing you were taught early on that you still use on every project?
Suficiencia is such a powerful lens for design! Stripping away the fluff until every single element carries real intention is what turns a good layout into an iconic one
Thinking about turning one of my basement rooms into a proper studio.
My main desk is in the living room right now, so work and life blend into each other all day. A room downstairs would give them some distance.
Two directions below. Curious which one you'd actually spend time in
14 votes
Ends in 23h
Voted B, that leather chair and warmer palette make it feel like a room you'd actually want to sit in after hours, not just work in.
𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗪𝗲𝗯𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗲 𝗗𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗿 𝗦𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗕𝗲 𝗪𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗼 𝗧𝗲𝗹𝗹 𝗬𝗼𝘂 “𝗡𝗼.”
A good website developer shouldn't say yes to everything.
“Can we add this animation?”
Yes.
“Can we add another popup?”
Yes.
“Can we put everything on the homepage?”
Yes.
“Can we add 15 more plugins?”
Yes.
That's not always good service.
Sometimes the best answer is:
“No. I don't think that's a good idea.”
Not because it can't be done.
But because it shouldn't be done.
I've learned that my job isn't simply to execute requests.
It's to question them when necessary.
If something makes the website slower, harder to use, harder to maintain, or less effective for the business, I'd rather explain the problem than blindly build it.
Clients don't just need someone who can build.
They need someone who can think.
And sometimes the most valuable thing a developer can add to a project is a well-timed:
“Let's rethink that.”
Would you rather work with a developer who always says yes or one who challenges your ideas when necessary?
I've found that a no lands better when the client can see the tradeoff. I'd show what the extra animation or popup costs in load time and attention, then offer the smallest version that still does the job.