From Away

I’ve sat down today and did a bit of analyzing of where I want to see my career headed in the next year. I didn’t see any point in waiting until the new year to get things started, so I’m going to dive in headfirst right away.

First off, I’ve decided to tackle the design of my portfolio website. I haven’t been satisfied with the design of the site even with the redesign that I completed back in November. I don’t feel that the site really exemplifies the skills that I have, not only as a web designer, but as a graphic designer as well. Things are just a little to plain for my liking. Also, I want to incorporate some of the PHP skills that I’ve furnished myself with in the past month.

Secondly, when I have the redesign complete, I plan to pursue my freelance work even more than I have been in the past few months. I really believe that I have the skills to gain a steady, loyal clientele that will keep me busy and allow me to make a living. Although, I’d really like to be a part of a design team, I just can’t seem to find the opportunities within Edmonton, or at least not any opportunities that will allow me to get my foot in the door of the industry to make a name for myself. Part of the problem is the fact that I’m living in St. Albert, which is on the North-West side of Edmonton, and I don’t have a car, which means that my transportation is somewhat hobbled by the bus system that runs between St. Albert and Edmonton.

As a corollary to #2, I want to start networking within the community more. I want to make more, regular appearances to development firms in the area to try to develop some more professional relationships which will hopefully lead to more contract work. Also, I want to start getting to know some of the other designers whose sites I frequent (well, as much as you can get to know people over the internet).

I’m also still looking to collaborate with another designer, or even another web developer on a project. I’m pretty much open to any suggestions. Basically, I’m looking for something new and different to work on that doesn’t deal with my normal, small business clientele.

I’m more than likely going to add to this list as 2004 draws further to a close, but at least this is a start. I want 2005 to be a lot better year for me because the last half of 2004 was somewhat bleak.