Which Project Should I Choose? - Question Mark ?

What Project Should I Choose?

Lessons

General Advice for Design Students

Choosing a project is a challenge faced by many design students. Here are a few general tips and questions you can ask yourself.

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General Tips, Advice, & Questions

  1. Be smart and do your research, then make an informed decision.
    • What precedent projects exist that inspire you?
    • What past projects were successful? Which were not? Why?
  2. Consider the scope and choose a project that is realistically achievable within your timeline.
    • How large is this project? Can I make it smaller?
    • Sample range of different scopes for UI projects:
      • Small: a Single Page Client Site (e.g. a one page site for a local small business, event, or PSA campaign)
      • Small-Medium: an Individual Client Site (e.g. a 2-5 page site for a local visual artist, photographer, musician, politician, or cultural/historical icon)
      • Medium: a Small Business Client Site (e.g. a 2-10 page site for a local restaurant, business, non-profit organization, or startup)
      • Medium: a Unique Concept Site or Fictional Product Site (e.g. an art project, an open-source project, a learning resource, a new custom product)
  3. Envision your future “ideal” portfolio and choose a project that will fit nicely in your eventual portfolio.
    • Is there a particular visual style that you are interested in exploring that is currently missing from your portfolio?
    • Is there a medium that you have yet to explore and would like to?
  4. Consider breadth vs. depth and choose a project that matches your goals as a student.
    • Should I do another project (like my other ones), to demonstrate a niche specialty/focus by going deeper?
    • Should I do something totally different from my other projects, to broaden my portfolio to be more well-rounded?
  5. Envision of your future “ideal” career and choose a project that aligns with your career goals?
    • What type of client projects do you hope to work on after you graduate?
    • What kind of designer do you hope to be? A generalist or specialist?
  6. Follow your heart and be passionate!
    • Are you totally excited to work on this project? If not, then choose another. If so, then go for it!

Make a Wish (List)

Write down your personal goals and prioritize them

  1. Technology Related:
    • Technologies to use/learn/test:div
      • Github (cloud-based version control & code sharing)
      • WordPress (custom theme from scratch or a child theme)
      • Web App Prototype (with Hi-fidelity UI design and videos/animated gifs)
      • Simple Native Web App (using Phonegap Build)
      • CSS3 Animation (test out different techniques)
      • My Own Custom Framework (similar to Site Base, Bootstrap, Foundation, Skeleton)
      • Responsive, Retina-ready graphics/imagery (including svg’s)
    • Technologies to do more projects with:
      • CSS preprocessors (ie SASS)
      • Static Site Generators (SSG’s like Astro, Jekyll, Eleventy, Hugo, etc.)
      • Vanilla Javascript (no JQuery)
      • Custom Grid Systems (and advanced grid layouts w/ flexbox and/or css grid))
      • Slider/Carousel/Slideshow
      • Better Web Fonts/Typography
      • Single Page Site w/ Vertical Animation
      • Third-Party Mobile Frameworks (Jquery Mobile, Framework 7, Ionic, etc)
      • Front-end Frameworks (e.g. React, Vue, & Angular)
  2. Other things that you might like to integrate:
    • A Portfolio project with a “Simple” (less is more) minimalist UI (ie. flat and material)
    • Good use of the Grid (ie. The Magazine Look, Print Design Influence)
    • Rich, Strong Typography
    • Multiple Stacked Hero sections (e.g. “Posters”)
    • 1-2-3/Step-by-step Walk-through/Instructions
    • Speaking Navigation
    • 3D/Depth
    • Custom Icons & Visual Cues (ie. badges/starbursts, etc.)
    • Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, & YouTube Integration
    • Interesting backgrounds (ie. photos? gradients? patterns? stripes? etc.)
    • More White Space
    • Large, stylized footer

Think Conceptually, Award-Winning, and BIG (take risks & have fun)!

Do not choose a safe client project that is too simple or convenient. For example, even though your Uncle needs a website for his auto parts store, do not choose this unless you are psyched to work on his auto parts site and have clever plans to make it interesting, unique, and stand out. Instead, choose something with the potential to be conceptually strong, with the opportunity to create compelling visuals (animation!) and clever copywriting (strong typography!). If your goal is do win a local award, then consider choosing something local (e.g. a local business to redesign or local PSA campaign) with the potential to stand out both visually and conceptually. Take a close look at previous award winning projects for inspiration.

  • Round-up of Conceptual Tips:
    • Consider Going Local (local businesses, artists, events, musicians)
    • Consider Doing Good via a PSA (in support for a local cause, a local non-profit, etc.)
    • Consider Solving a Design Problem (be creative, develop a solution for a known problem, and dream big!)

Conclusion

Choosing a school project can be challenge. But like all design problems, you can find a solution by being an informed designer and think critically about your chosen project.