June 27, 2019 — A short introduction to markup and CMS for creatives. A list of resources for learning more about WP, Gutenberg and editing themes. For developers looking to learn more about design; an introduction to design concepts and programs (freeware) for editing graphics.

March 27, 2019 — Do you design and develop websites or apps? Are you really proud that you have mastered two distinct disciplines? Or do you feel a bit insecure that neither your design or development skills match those of a ‘specialist’?

If you’re anything like me, you sometimes feel a bit of both and wonder how to pitch yourself for potential work or where your skills fit as part of a wider team.

I’m going to argue that we should not undervalue our skills, I’ll share some ideas about ways of working and make a plea to the wider web world to take us more seriously.

January 11, 2019 — Sales is all about relationships and managing expectations. We are all in sales, where we realize or not, like it or not. I’ll share some personal story around my start as an introverted artists and designer who was socially awkward and how I overcame that to become a top producing salesperson. How not being a salesperson can be your strongest asset in actually making sales, if you find your authentic voice, know your craft and get interested in the art and science of creative communication and psychology.

Though I have a framework for this including practical scenarios, it will be somewhat interactive and focus driven by preferences of those in attendance. We’ll be looking at the why behind methods from which you can build on. The first step is getting comfortable with being uncomfortable. We’ll do some of that, but I promise not to make it too scary.

This is not a talk about funnels, prospects, conversions and the like though that all is super important and we’ll touch on it. This is focused on communication tools and self work to overcome your internal roadblocks.

Takeaways:

You’ll get a copy of the slide deck to include a list of common sales and communications “challenges” and how to deal with them.
A process map of the anatomy stages of a sales cycle, (what to communicate when, how and why) specifically tailored to creative work.
Some basic personality assessment tools to clarify your personality and communication style, how to identify your clients and then how to adapt accordingly.

Presentation Slides »

January 11, 2019 — Frustrated with trying to make a living building WordPress websites? Think you just need to find the right theme for a project or learn a few more design tips? You’re not alone. This presentation will show you why it’s easy to get stuck and hard to get out of the Bermuda Triangle of Web Designer’s Hell – that place where you don’t know what you don’t know.

I’ll present a framework of seven core competencies to provide a foundation for becoming a skilled WordPress Designer who can price, close, create, and deliver effective WordPress websites for happy clients!

Takeaways:

Why you may be stuck.
The biggest mistake of broke web designers.
The Seven Core Competency Framework for becoming a Master Web Designer.

Presentation Slides »

December 31, 2018 — Viviamo in tempi in cui saper imparare è molto più importante di quello che impariamo.
Tutto si muove velocemente, e dobbiamo imparare come imparare. O, in altre parole, come tendere all’eccellenza.

Perché alcune persone sono migliori di altre in determinati ambiti? C’è un segreto alla base della loro bravura? Oppure si tratta soltanto di talento naturale?

Unisciti a me in questo percorso per imparare come migliorare nel tuo campo, qualsiasi esso sia!

October 30, 2018 — Designer’s skills and strategy required for survival

デザイナーが Web 制作やアプリデザインに関わる上でどう向き合っていくのが良いか、生き残るための必要スキルやマインド、指名され続けるデザイナーになるための Tips などをお伝えします。

これから Web デザイナーを目指そうとしている方、Web デザイナーとしてこれからもスキルアップしたい方に向けてお話します。

Presentation Slides »

June 29, 2018 — Una exposición sobre la importancia del diseño en la realización de proyectos web.

Comentando todo el espectro, desde la definición y misión del diseño hasta las posibles aplicaciones de este, trataremos de retratar por qué es conveniente aplicar un punto de vista de diseño y no atender simplemente a los estereotipos más habituales.

Presentation Slides »

June 15, 2018 — The path one should take in life shouldn’t be the obvious one. Do not plan your career meticulously, but instead, take calculated risks that have bigger upside potential than the size of the downside risk. Most importantly, give back and put faith in relationships with people that have helped develop you.

In this talk, I will be sharing with you my story on how I started out as a struggling young designer living in the Philippines, scouring the Web for jobs. I eventually found blogging in 2007 which opened up a multitude of new and exciting opportunities for me including a move to the USA.

March 9, 2018 — “De toegevoegde waarde van een vormgever naast een (WordPress) webbouwer. Het samengaan van Wendy en Kelly heeft te maken met een professionaliseringsslag.
De voordelen van twee mensen die hun vak verstaan en een perfecte aanvulling op elkaar zijn, de toegevoegde waarde van samenwerken in het algemeen en de meerwaarde van het delen van werkruimte.”

November 24, 2017 — En esta Meetup nos adentramos en una de las etapas del desarrollo web a las que no siempre se presta demasiada atención: La fase de diseño.

Vamos a tratar, desde un punto de vista práctico y divulgativo, de entender qué hace un diseñador y qué aporta en una web. Hablaremos de puntos básicos a tener en cuenta – junto a ejemplos de buenas y malas prácticas – para aprender a identificar un buen diseño web y en qué elementos nos tenemos que fijar para ayudarnos a crearlo.

La idea es que, aunque esta charla no te convierta en un profesional, sí te aporte ese “sentido común” para distinguir qué es exigible en un buen diseño.

Presentation Slides »