If it makes us look less than professional, it tends to be bad for business.

Those mistakes are the ones we really want to be on guard against to prevent our business from taking any sort of negative hit due to them. So in this post today, we are looking at a handful of those mistakes that when made, make you look less like an established designer, and more like a newb. So naturally, when you can, these are certainly the areas to avoid when it comes to that inevitable time for us to commit some sort of professional faux pas.

Using Graphic Editor Defaults

One of the major mistakes that get made by designers from time to time that can often cast a less stellar reflection on our skillsets and reputation as a designer is that when using some sort of effect or filter in our graphics editor, we do not adjust or tweak the settings at all and simply opt to use the default. This is certainly an easy one to watch out for, however, in the interest of time or whatever, it happens more than it should. And while there are more serious design sins one could commit, this one speaks volumes loudly to our abilities as a designer, especially to our colleagues.

Whenever you apply any sort of effect to your piece, you should take the time to tweak the settings to get them specifically aligned to your project. The default settings for most graphics editors tend to be so basic, and to some degree even a bit exaggerated, examples of the effect that they should always be looked at as a starting point. Never an end. Drop shadows are a great example of this in most cases, as one of the default settings is to use solid black to create the shading. When in reality the color used should be a darker version of whatever the color the element being shadowed is. And with just a little effort, we can move beyond this newb mistake.

Not Using a Contract

Another major mistake that some designers commit, against all the warnings from those in the community who have already been burned this way, is they neglect to use a contract when working with a client. And there are many who think that doing business this way is the only way to go. However, any designer who has worked for hours for a client without a contract in place, only to have the client completely flake out with regards to payment or follow through, knows that sting. And more importantly they know that sting can be avoided eight to nine times out of ten by simply having a contract in place.

If there is nothing to sign, some clients might be apprehensive about proceeding.

Also, clients that have hired us in the past have insisted on a contract being in place for multiple reasons. For one, it made them feel more at ease, as they had worked with designers in the past who did not use a contract, and the project went less than professionally. They also wanted to ensure that all of the project points that we had discussed and agreed upon, such as price and deadlines for example, were actually set in stone. So it reassured both them and us that everyone was on the same page for the project. So there are clients out there who will look at us more as amateurs and not as true professionals should we go forward without a contract.

Not Saving Copy With Layers

The next mistake up for discussion is less likely to make us look like newbs as much as it is likely to make us feel like newbs should we fall into this designer pitfall. It is the mistake of not saving a copy of the finished design complete with the individual layers it took to create the end result. This may not seem like anything major, unless you have had it come around and bite you in the backside in during your tenure as a designer. The first time you have delivered what the client expressed was a perfect design, only to have them get the files and then ask for such a minor adjustment that they think it nothing, but you no longer have the layered copy of the design. Instead all you have is merged down together.

Suddenly, that minor adjustment that the client is asking for, becomes a major task often complete with headaches galore and numerous bouts of kicking yourself in frustration. So you can see how this mistake can end up being a costly one for the designer, should the client still be owed a revision or two according to your initial agreement. This is why it is always a good idea to take that extra step and make sure that you keep a copy on hand of the final draft complete with layers. And just for that extra bit of sanity maintenance, do yourself a favor and name all of your layers as well.

Not Knowing Your Limits

Another mistake that often happens in the design field which can reflect poorly on our business and give off the impression that we are somewhat less than professional, is to not know the limits of our abilities and schedules. This is important for a number of reasons, but for the most part it is important because we really do not want to over-commit ourselves to projects that we do not have the time or the skillsets for seeing through completely. When we drop the ball in either of those ways, it reflects a newb status that can be hard for us to then shake in their eyes.

It is an imperative to know the limits of your reach.

Another thing to consider here, is that when this happens, it very rarely only impacts a single project. If we have too much on our plate, and try to take on more, usually we end up falling behind on more than one of the projects we have in progress. So we have to remember that this is generally not just going to effect one client, one project, and one perspective of our business’ capabilities. No, it is going to have much more of a ripple effect, so if we can take steps to avoid it, then we should get to stepping. No matter where our focus lies, knowing our limits is key to being able to find success in our pursuits.

Being Less Than Available

Another pitfall that designers often casually stumble into thinking little of how it reflects upon them, is to be less than available with regards to clients, users, colleagues, whomever. If we swim in the online design community waters, there are numerous expectations that are placed on us communication wise, and failing to effectively meet these expectations can give the impression that we are a little less than capable of keeping up. So we want to always be sure that we remain reachable to our various online audience bases.

Either through consistent social media interaction, or via quick e-mail response times, you want to keep those connections and lines of communication open as much as you possibly can. Being able to manage your time so that each day you are, in some form or fashion, available to the public is a near must for being able to keep that professional edge from wearing off of your business. There are many fantastic articles and complete systems that can assist you with this effective time management in a step by step way should you need more of an in-depth approach.

Being a Slave to Trends

As far as mistakes go that make us look like amateurs, being a slave to design trends without forming or finding an individual voice of our own is a major one that happens more than most of us would like to admit. Naturally there are going to to be trends that crop up on the design landscape from time to time that steal our focus, and this is not to say that on occasion we cannot indulge and get trendy with a project. However, we need to know when to draw that line and come back to the originality and individual flare that we have which can make us great. Trends are great, but they come and go. You want your work to be more lasting than a trend, so why would you allow your work to be a slave to them?

That’s a Wrap

That does it for this end of the discussion, however we are now turning the dialog reigns over to our readers to carry on in the comment section below. What pitfalls would you add to the list? Or what additions to the list do you think are being overblown and are not as pivotal as they have been described here? Whatever your two cents is, now is your time to leave it with us.

Its basic elements like header, footer and sidebar gives designers a simple visual oriented layout structure of the website and its functions. To help you to sketch outline for the website we have collected some fruitful resources with good examples.

Wireframing rules

Boagworld is a blog that shares five commandments with you. That helps you to put your ideas and to keep spontaneity in your different approaches. Here you will get an idea of wireframing and with the help of it you can show vision of the site which you are building.

Wireframes for the wicked

Wireframe for the wicked, with nice slideshow shares different types of the wireframe and its purpose.

Sometimes the best wireframing tool is a pencil

A pencil is also a best wireframing tool with that you can draw your ideas. You can quickly sketch your ideas and these sketches are not perfect in alignment but it is purely about concept. So this pencil sometimes becomes better wireframing tool than other computer tools.

Why sketching and wireframing ideas strengthens designs

Here you will know the importance of sketching and wireframing to express and expand your ideas. You can also alter your ideas so that you can bring better formulated and finalized designs to the world and it is useful to strengthen your design.

The future of wireframes

This is about the evolution of wireframing from functional to visual. The functional wireframe is difficult to read so many designers made experiment with their new ideas to add information (interface) to it. The resulting future wireframe is readable and easily understandable.

Wireframing is not a religion

Wireframing not a religion is an attractive post on different types of wireframes and how it is bread and butter for the UX designers. Though there is no right way for this according to context and requirements of the project you can quickly give shape and you can produce better product.

UX 101 the wireframe

UX 101 the wireframe is a beginner’s guide that teaches you about the wireframe and how it is useful for designers. It reflects your ideas about the placement of different elements and site navigation and it is an opportunity for you to check your project as it is going in right direction or not.

The wireframe all you need to know

This is a perfect guide for beginners to know what wireframing is, why it is used and why it is important. It helps you to present your imagination about the project and to demonstrate the exact vision of your client. So it reduces the possibility of complexity in your project.

Storyboards vs wireframes

Storyboard vs wireframes is detailed discussion about the usefulness and drawbacks of both storyboard and wireframe. But anyway these are apt choice for you to make better plans and to understand the process.

The right way to wireframe

Right way to wireframe is a nice video by Will Evans and shows you a right way for wireframing. The main reason behind the creation of this wireframe is to inform design process and decision. This is a form of communication between sketch holder, team members and clients and it is helpful to improve your practices.

Guidelines tools and resources for web wireframing

This is a collection of useful tools and resources for web wireframing that allows you to visually illustrate the fundamental elements of interface. You can also make changes and amendments according to your requirements. You will get many techniques here and you can use them in your project.

The power of wireframes and mockups

A short post is about the benefits of wireframe and mockups. These two tools have the power of solving design problems and they stimulate imagination, allows you to make changes and it gives forward look to the people. So these tools are more effective than any other deliverables.

The future of wireframes

The future of wireframe is a shared experience of users over the decades. This post helps you to reevaluate and understand the wireframe. Here you will find discussion on various aspects of wireframing.

Where wireframes are concerned

Both benefits and drawbacks of wireframingvdiscussed here; this provides guidance to designer for their designing process and shows how they can be problematic. So before creating a wireframe you need to think whether it is helpful or not for your designing process and at the same time you need to think that does it represents the client’s visions that help you to overcome its drawbacks.

The value of wireframing

Leeharding web design talks about the values of the wireframing. This is an important stage in your designing process that helps you sketch your idea and you can imagin how the readers interact with your site. You can use it for your both small website and larger websites.

Wireframing is not prototyping

The prototype deliverable pretends as wireframing but there is a difference between these two. Wireframe is a visual guide and the prototype is about behavior. Wirframe is more useful than prototype for you to draw an outline for you project.

Wireframes vs prototypes

Another big article talks about the differences between wireframe and prototypes. Both are in their own way useful to you to sketch your ideas.

Wireframe magazine

Here you can get many useful resources and articles on wireframing. Along with wireframe samples it offers you UI components, job listings, 750 vector icons in illustrators, EPS, PDF and PNG flavor and a place where you can share your wireframes and tips. These articles also covered wireframe moodboard and prototyping with 960gs grid system and graph sketch layouts.

Wireframe your site

This is definitely your site that helps you to know benefits of wireframing and its process. In addition to benefits you can see forth coming potential problems of your project and offers you three steps to approach wireframing.

Ajax wireframing approaches

With bunches of Ajax prototyping elements this article covers useful wireframing techniques. It offers three brilliant methods of wireframing like keyframing, stacking and TOP it also marks both benefits and drawbacks of each method.

The importance of wireframes in web design and tools to create wireframes

This comprehensive article covers whole and sole of the wireframing from its creation to benefits and working with clients. With a quick overview of why it is better choice offers you some tools to create your own wireframing.

Get wireframing the all in one guide

In this wireframing all in one guide you will get guides, techniques, tools, examples, paper prototyping, wireframing articles and links to other sites. This is really a great resource site that meets all your needs to create an effective wireframing.

The importance of wireframing

This article talks about the importance of wireframing along with resources to help you create your own. You will find many benefits of wireframing including its ability to help the clients focus and what they can teach you about your clients and how you can save your time.

Pwireframing paper wireframig

Pwireframing is a technique that makes regular wireframing more modular and collaborative. This article shows you how this paper badsed method goes beyond the rough sketches and showcases some photos that might help you to understand the technique properly.

Shades of gray wireframes as thinking device

This article covers personal experience of author and gives designer’s reasons for using wireframing and their purpose. With example of both wireframes and final designs it shows what you can get from the wireframing.

Wireframing over the shoulder

Wireframing over the shoulder, a video shows you whole process of wireframe from start to finish. In this episode designer draws wireframe from fast forwarded scratch. This gives you an idea to create wireframe on paper.

Framing the problem

Framing the problem is a great article that defines you how to solve the problems that occurs while creating wireframe. It focuses on creating wireframe and before that it answers three questions; what types of visitors need to be persuaded, What actions do they need to tak And what information do they require to take that action.

SEO wireframing

This guide is about wireframe for search engine optimization and it describes process based purely on SEO perspective. It also reminds you to keep certain things in your mind like key functions of each pages and building navigation with relevant keywords.

The ancient art of wireframing

With out history you can not move forward so this article is about history and benefits of wireframe that helps you to know need for its creation. You can get more modern techniques suitable for your websites and it offers you new standards for your contemporary wireframes.

I need see it wireframing richer web

An article talks about some of the issues and solutions of wireframing rich web media applications. It also traces out the benefits of both interactive and high fidelity wireframes with definition for each and how it is created.

Better perspective in wireframing

This big article is a list of tips to create better wireframes. The outlining tips are like putting functionality first, focusing on the user experience, working to the deadline, organizing wireframes and more.

Wireframing using indesign

This is a downloadable guide for wireframing using Adobe InDesign and it offers you a simple file you can experiment with it. Part of its content comes from a wireframing workshop that was presented at a communication and multimedia design course at Rotterdam.

I love wireframes

This is a place for you to get example for wireframes and right place for you to checkout the methods of wireframes. This offers you a royalty free set of vector icons in ESP and flash SWF formats and you can resize them without the loss of fidelity, color and effects.

Website wireframes

This describes wireframing and why to work with it. You can find brief overviews of wirframing tools and tips that will help you to create your own wireframe.

Content wireframing ducks meet row

This detailed description is a guide for you to create your wireframing content. It helps you to create logical and connected websites and instead of structure and functionality it covers specific challenges and requirements for its creation.

How to wireframe

This video guides you to create wireframe and it includes tips like using gridlines and adding anything which you needed and removing them. This is a good resource for you to create better wireframe.

Speed wireframing with Nick Finck

Nick Finck in this video presents his wireframing process. He used OmniGraffle and a wireframe stencil kit you can download it.

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Below is the list of 25 must have iPhone apps for graphic designers.

1. Color Expert

Color Expert is an application guide that includes tools to facilitate the color settings, the process of capture, and a combination of several colors. In addition, this application will also allow you to add color to your wishes, this is must have iPhone app.

2. My Pantone iPhone Apps

My Pantone  iPhone Apps are applications that are specifically used to create several color combinations that exist so as to produce a unique color for your liking. This application is used if you do not find the colors found on your iPhone. Existing navigation on this application will allow you to do the color mixing of several kinds of colors available.

3. Cliqcliq

CliqCliq is an application that you can use to set some color features that exist, such as changing colors, and create a combination of several colors into one color.This application will greatly help your application work with CSS, HTML, Flex, Flash, and others. Colors resulting from this application you can convert it into several color formats, such as RGB and CMYK.

4. Camera Bags

Camera Bags serves to set the color produced from the iphone camera. There are several kinds of colors you can choose and then shared to multiple other devices, eg PC, Mac, or online store. In addition, you can also print the image directly with pitchbridge technology.

5. Color Guides

Color guide is one of the color management application that uses with the code.Several kinds of color code that is often used in these applications is RGB and HEX.This application is very suitable to be used as a reference for those who work as a designer.

6. Layers

Layers is a graphics application on the iPhone that can be used to produce unique images by using some existing tools, such as smudge tool, brushes, paint, erase, and several other applications. Such applications are also found on several image processing program such as Photoshop, Image editing, and Image Ready.

7. Loupe

Loupe is one iPhone application that is used to enlarge object pictures you take. Use of this application is usually done if the object is not very clear.

8. Color Toy

There are many iPhone applications on the Internet, one of which is the Color Toy. If you are a graphics designer, interior deisgn, or flash animator, ColorToy can help you find the type of color that is suitable and ideal for your project. The application is very simple and flexible, allowing you to produce and mix a variety of interesting color combinations.

9. Ruler Plus

Ruler Plus is an application that is widely used by designers to measure the object with the iPhone how to put it on the media to be measured. With this application, the measurement object can be known directly.

10. Quick Office

Mobiles Quickoffice is an application that functions to help your office work when you are outside. In this application is generally similar to existing Office applications on a PC or Mac. Some features that can be used with this application including MobileMe, Dropbox, Google Docs, and Box.net. Some advantages of this application that is able to transfer files via Wi-Fi technology.

11. Photo Bucket

Photobucket is an online photo storage application. Currently this application can enjoy through on your iphone. Image and photos you can upload directly from digital cameras or computers. Some features that are often used in this application include a photo library, and your browser’s online photo. And more interestingly, this application you can get for free.

12. Omni Focus

Omnifocus useful to manage multiple plans that you should do every day. Some of the features contained in this application of which is to manage incoming mail, project designers would you do, the discussion about the project with your colleagues, and schedule your other activities. This application will help you when you’re on outdoor. Although this application paid, but it will really help you that have high mobility as a graphics designer.

13. Work Timer

Are you as designers? Working as a web designer with too many clients is often difficult to organize, scheduling, and equally impractical. However, you still need to keep track of how much time you will from some spend working on each project, the which is the WorkTimer comes in.  Can you handling your entire project? By simply pressing the screen, you cans keep a log of how many hours you’ve spent working – one less thing to clutter your mind and distract your creative genius!

14. Zeptopad

Zeptopad is an application that can be used directly. If you’re a graphics designer, and suddenly found the idea, you can pour directly inspired by the fingers on the iPhone screen. Images produced by this application is  vector format.

15. Cooliris

Cooliris is an application that contains multimedia content, such as photo sharing, video, news, and some streaming-based applications. The advantage of this application is the speed of which browser you used when you surf the web to find pictures and video.

16. Evernote

This application serves to create a simple note about your activities outside, for example, to record important things, remember things when you are on the road, and everything you think is important enough to be immortalized. This application has been synchronized with other devices, such as Mac and PC with Windows based. Some features available in this application include writing text, photos, audio notes, mark notes for quick access. You can get this application for free.

17. Fonts Previews

Font previews an application that allows a designer to see some type fonts found in some device with iOS 3.2 based  , for example iPad, iOS 4 on the iPhone, and iPod touch.

18.Brushes

Brushes is a graphics design application that is very simple. You can draw an object through a menu of available brushes. Simple addition, this application is also capable of producing images with a unique vector format. Equipped with some image processing tools will make you like a professional designer.

19. Color Splash

Color Splash is an application that can be used to produce a unique image effects, interesting, and real. Typically these applications will result in a combination and mix of very different colors, such as black and white images are combined with bright-colored pictures, so that would lead to artistic impression.

20. Font Shuffle

Fonts Shuffle is an application that must be owned by those who work as graphic design. With this application you can find various kinds and types of fonts that you want to use, ranging from the size of fonts, symbol fonts, and font editing. There are many options available. Some versions of this application you can get for free.

21. Pixelpipe

Pixelpipe is one iPhone application that can be used for photo sharing to multiple social networking sites, and micro-blogging service. This application has been supporting more than one hundred social networking sites. You can get this application for free.

22. What the Fonts

What the font is an application that is widely used in design magazines, newspapers, and several other advertising media. Existing features can you integrate into some other devices that already support this application.

23. HTML Cheat Sheet

HTML Cheat Sheet widely used by designers based HTML source code. With this application you can optimize the function of each source code available on a design, be it graphic design, web design, and some HTML-based blogging application.

24.Dexigner

Dexigner is a special application from the iPhone which serves to show news and topics around the design. An interesting display is suitable for you to try this application.

25. Analytics

Analytics is an application used by web designers and graphic designers who build a website. Where in this application, you can know about  popularity of your web on search engine. Some view of these applications include direct traffics, referring site, and search engines.

1. iMockups

iMockups is a wireframing app. With it you can easily create website wireframes and layouts. The touch interface makes it fun to use.

iMockups Website | Download iMockups from the App Store

2. Phaidon Design Classic

The most comprehensive collection of design classics available at a special introductory price for a limited period only.

Phaidon Design Classic Website | Download Phaidon Design Classic from the App Store

3. Mindnode

MindNode is a very easy and intuitive application for collecting, organizing and outlining your thoughts and ideas as mind maps.

Mindnode Website | Download Mindnode from the App Store

4. Air Display

Ever wish you had an extra display for your computer? There’s an app for that! With Air Display, you can use your iPad as a wireless display for your Mac OS X computer.

Air Display Website | Download Air Display from the App Store

5. Markup

Markup for iPad lets you connect to your websites and edit the text files within them.

Markup Website | Download Markup from the App Store

6. SketchBook Pro

SketchBook on the iPad is absolutely spectacular.

SketchBook Pro Website | Download SketchBook Pro from the App Store

7. WordPress

It’s easy to manage your WordPress blog from your iPad, iPhone, or iPod touch. With WordPress for iPhone OS, you can moderate comments and create or edit posts and pages.

WordPress Website | Download WordPress from the App Store

8. FTP On The Go

An FTP client for the iPhone and iPod touch. All the features of a desktop FTP client and more; a very powerful app. With FTP On The Go, you can fix your website, and view files on your FTP server, from anywhere.

FTP On The Go Website | Download FTP On The Go from the App Store

9. Analytics HD

The premier app for Google Analytics, Analytics App, now debuts on the iPad as Analytics HD! See charts and reports like you’ve never seen them before, and share them in a meeting with full screen charts!

Analytics HD Website | Download Analytics HD from the App Store

10. iThoughtsHD

iThoughtsHD brings mindmapping to the iPad. Based on the award winning iThoughts for iPhone, iThoughtsHD has been designed specifically for the iPad.

iThoughtsHD Website

11. Things for iPad

Things is a beautifully focused and amazingly intuitive task manager. Other todo applications either oversimplify or are too difficult to use. Things instead offers the perfect balance between ease of use and powerful features.

Things for iPad Website | Download Things for iPad from the App Store

Please note that these are not listed in any particular order.

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