Thread

Hey All,

Do you utilize any outsourcing companies like PSD2HTML, or do you find yourself creating a digital library of reusable elements that you have already coded that are structure agnostic, or a combo of both? I’ve been taking a good long look at my workflow these last few days and I’m in the process of streamlining. I also like to shake it up, and try new things and see if they stick.

Some of the thoughts/ideas I’ve had so far:

-Creating a library of re-usable elements (nav bars, forms, code, designs, color palettes, etc)
-Outsourcing? (Only if the situation demanded it)
-Finding a flow between Firefox’s various developer add ons (Firebug, WebDev bar, Colorzilla, Pixel Perfect) and ExpressionEngine.

Also, yesterday Andy Harris pointed out the 960 Grid System in response to Lebisol’s post. I had given that a look earlier in the year, but have now been more seriously considering adopting that tool. Any thoughts from people who use this method? I was wanting to develop my skills in working with grid based layouts. Is it a good way to go? It seems like a mathematically sound and flexible choice.

Sorry, kind of a stream of consciousness. What about you guys - Any random thoughts/examples/advice?

I probably should set up some sort of library for myself. Currently when I need something I’ve used before I login into my EE install and find the code to copy & paste.

Soon enough I won’t be able to remember which site uses which code and setting up a database/repository of reusable snippets will come in handy. I’m just not sure how to set it up or organize it.

In regards to outsourcing…

We do most (almost all) of our work in-house.  But being a very small team (3 people), situations arise when we’re stretched a bit thin.  This might happen because none of us have the skills for a particular project (such as illustration).  Or, more likely, we don’t have the time to complete all aspects of the project.

So, we call in some extra troops.  We have close relationships with a few other designers and developers whom we turn to when things get hectic.

We try not to use outside help because it ends up being more costly.  If it’s for some design work, we usually plan for this and add it to the initial budget.  If time runs low, it ends up costing us (as it should, since it’s not the client’s fault).  That’s only ever happened once though.

There is nothing wrong with using other resources, as long as you’re being honest about the work.  I was once contacted by a “web designer” who basically took contracts and then outsourced them to other people.  I call that a pimp, not a web designer.

In regards to code libraries…
100% the way I go.  With all new code I write, I try to make it as generic as possible so that I can reuse it when possible.  Of course, this isn’t always practical or feasible.

Sean,

That’s what I’ve been doing too. I have a little folder set up right now that I do store some items in that could be reused, but I thought of expanding it. Maybe break it into separate folders. One for design and one development, with subfolders containing various types of elements in both. I could see these folders growing and diversifying over time.

Arun,

I hear you on the outsourcing tip. I’m a one man show for now, and I’ve never outsourced anything (Then again, I’ve only had two paying clients so far). I haven’t been in a pinch yet because I always try to give myself ample time to complete projects - But I could see this situation arising as I take on more complex projects, so it got me thinking. I’m trying to decide if it’s a worthy use of money at the moment.

I’m glad to hear that you reuse your code whenever possible. I almost felt like a cheater for thinking about it, but why work harder when you can work smarter, right? I would imagine that you keep the stored code as generic as possible so that it can be retrofitted to each individual project’s needs. What type of stuff do you find yourself saving for later use? What’s the most practical? (I’m wondering if I’m on the right track here)

Sean,

That’s what I’ve been doing too. I have a little folder set up right now that I do store some items in that could be reused, but I thought of expanding it. Maybe break it into separate folders. One for design and one development, with subfolders containing various types of elements in both. I could see these folders growing and diversifying over time.

I’ve been thinking about setting up a wiki on my local server or an EE blog for the same thing - then it would be searchable.

I hear you on the outsourcing tip. I’m a one man show for now, and I’ve never outsourced anything (Then again, I’ve only had two paying clients so far). Thanks for the info though. I’ve never really been in a pinch, because I always try to give myself ample time to complete projects - But I could see this situation arising as I take on more complex projects, so it got me thinking. I’m trying to decide if it’s a worthy use of money at the moment.

I’ve got a professional graphic designer freind in Edmonton who will do stuff for me. I’ll need him somewhat regularly since my photoshop kung fu is only average. Anyhow, when I need him, I’ll pad the quote so I still make enough money.

I’ve been thinking about setting up a wiki on my local server or an EE blog for the same thing - then it would be searchable.

Now THAT is a wicked idea!
That seems like it would work out wonderfully for your environment.  Maybe I could run a local install on a WAMP setup to duplicate it. I’m working on that one this weekend so I can do some EE dev locally. I haven’t even played with the wiki yet, so this will be fun. Maybe I’ll keep the folders around for redundancy, just in case…

My workflow is almost exclusively Coda, thanks to the fact it happily handles browsing, coding and FTPing. It definitely ups my productivity as it eliminates the constant need to swap from app X to app Y. I use Coda’s ‘snippets’ feature quite a bit for generic code, typically EE functions that require constant use. One basic but hugely convenient snippet I have saved is a pre-written exp:weblog:data statement complete with all of my most commonly used parameters in place. This is tied to a keyboard shortcut so whenever I need to access weblog data I can just type ‘ee’ and hit tab and 80% of the code is added instantly.

I also have an internal ‘Resources’ Basecamp project into which I save more complex but still useful bits of code as well as the solutions to various problems I encounter during development which I think I’m likely to come across again in the future. I have categories for CSS, development, EE, PHP and Servers which makes finding the necessary titbits a little easier when I need to dig them up 6 months later. I also store key files in the project, such as copies of software that I generally use for all of my projects, which means that instead of re-downloading them and having to dig out logins I know I can grab them all from the same place. One particular time saver is a generic TinyMCE config file which took quite a while to setup initially but that I can now have running within 5 minutes, complete with some CSS to suit the site in question.

As I use SVN I also have a base SVN dump which I restore when I’m setting up a new project. In addition to a standard directory structure it contains a blank HTML template and referenced CSS file so that I can start work on the project-unique code immediately.

Dom,

Thanks for sharing a bit about your workflow. I wish Coda ran on Windows machines, because I’m going to have to continue working in a windows environment until the beginning of next year (when I’ll finally be getting a Mac). It seems like Coda’s “snippits” would be extremely handy then. I had no idea that you could map them to keyboard shortcuts. That’s pretty outstanding.

You’ve given me some great bits to research.  It’s always interesting to see how others approach workflow. Yours is very tight and backed by a great deal of experience. Thank you again Dom, for taking the time to share your methods! It’s much appreciated.

No problem. I still have plenty of room for improvement I’m sure, so it’s interesting to see other people’s timesaving tricks.

I’ve been on my own for ~6.5 years now - and in the beginning did everything on a project.  At the time I felt like I had to in order to be credible.

However, more and more these days I find myself outsourcing parts of projects - either because I don’t enjoy doing them or need something done better than I’m able to do it. 

I’ve come to realize the only requirement is a happy client with a site that meets requirements and fits their budget—and if getting there requires the help of some other folks it’s no big deal and certainly no loss of credibility. 

There are so many skillsets involved in getting a site of any scale out the door - it’s hard to stay current on all of them while also trying to stay billable.  If you enjoy that - great. For me it’s just been working better to focus on the parts of jobs that I enjoy the most.  I like my work better and I think the end results are better as well.

I second michael’s comments. There is just no way for smaller shops to have the skills necessary to complete larger projects. I have been building my network for the past year and still need a few areas filled. The big thing is just make sure you are not compromising by using outside help and all should be good.

in the beginning I did everything on a project.  At the time I felt like I had to in order to be credible.

I was feeling that way. Web Design isn’t exactly easy - and I knew that going in - but the more I’ve done, the more I realize that in order to handle sites on a larger scale, something was going to have to give. In between improving my own skill set, working to get these last two sites (freebies for friends/experience) out the door, and networking, I’ve had zero time left. (It also probably has something to do with a full time job, and online schooling w/ the Art Institute as well.) I still want to get as much as I can done, but some bits of larger projects I’ve looked at are just too much for me to handle. Most of it is server side stuff that for the most part, goes right over my head.

There are so many skillsets involved in getting a site of any scale out the door - it’s hard to stay current on all of them while also trying to stay billable.  If you enjoy that - great. For me it’s just been working better to focus on the parts of jobs that I enjoy the most.  I like my work better and I think the end results are better as well.

My idea is to keep my day job until I can get web work to a place where it matches my current income at PNC - and then roll on my own. Getting to that point is going to require a lot of hard work and time. The question is: “How much time?” If I can’t develop more efficiently, it’s going to take a loooong time. So I’ve been looking at ways to refine my dev time as well as further organizing my schedule outside of that.

I agree with this approach, Mike. So of course, thank you for sharing your insight and experience (Mike and Marcus). 
That’s the goal! A rewarding job, happy clients, and some time left for me at the end of the day. (All without being a “pimp” as Arun so aptly put it.)

My idea is to keep my day job until I can get web work to a place where it matches my current income

Me too. I think the first thing I need to do is find a graphic designer with web design experience - my phhotoshop skills stink.

Sean, try fireworks. It may make things a bit easier. It is geared towards web design. Photoshop is really geared towards image editing. Not to say it can be used for other things but…