Before I begin, the images here were taken with my iPhone, so please excuse that the quality isn’t top notch.

Last Wednesday I was finally able to move into the new Authentic Style HQ, conveniently situated in the Wincombe Business Centre, just 1.5 miles from my house in Shaftesbury. What wasn’t so convenient however was the time it took BT to set up my broadband. Having had an engineer come out the previous Tuesday and tell the business centre manager that the installation of both my broadband and phone line was successful, I moved all my stuff in and tried to get online. Needless to say, you guessed it, no internet connection had been set up, and I only found out after paying for a networking guy to help me get online and him suggesting I call BT just to double check they’d installed everything. Anyhow, a week later I was in the office and online.

So why move out from the home office and spend money renting a room somewhere else?

After working from home for just over 2 years I felt like it was time for a change. Authentic Style has been doing great over the last two years and turnover this year is up on last year by 23% if my calculations are correct. Whilst working from home does have its perks, it also has some downsides which I felt were getting to me a little after 2 years of doing it.

My main reason for getting some office space was that I don’t want to be a solo freelancer the rest of my career. I want to eventually take on staff and try and build Authentic Style into a small design and development outfit, so why not take the leap now and take on the extra overhead whilst its just me, continue to build the business and then look at maybe taking someone on in the next year.

The second big reason was having a place to leave the laptop, and work in general behind for the evening and also the weekend. When you work from home you have to be so disciplined to stop work at 6pm and not just sneak back to respond to that email or tweak that design later that evening. Whilst its convinient and nice in the beginning to be able to do that, after a while I was finding it increasingly hard to switch off. I’ve only been in the new office for about a week now, but I’m already enjoying being able to leave work behind in the evenings and having a place to go each day. After all I’ve still got my iPhone if I really need to check my mails or respond to an inquiry quickly after hours.

The room I’m renting is a good size and would definitely accommodate another desk and possibly a third at a push (there’s more space to the right of this shot). There is also a lovely meeting room available for use at the business centre and I can’t wait to use it for the first time next week with a potential new prospect.

For now its time to continue working hard and seeing where that takes me in my third year freelancing!

Course Overview

Firstly I was quite skeptical about doing an online course. I’d never done anything like this before and I was a little dubious at first for a few reasons;

• I’d have to set aside an hour each day for a total of two weeks to carry out the course exercises.
• I wasn’t immediately clear on how the course would actually work in terms of me accessing the content.
• Could I afford to spend a total of 10 hours on this?

There were however a couple of big factors that made me want to take part in this course and take the risk;

• It could be done at any time. Meaning I could work on the course last thing, before I finished up work for the day.
• It was a Sitepoint course. I’ve been a forum member for a while and quite often read their articles / blogs and even their books.
• HTML5 is the future and this would be a great way to learn more about it and get my hands dirty rather than just reading endless articles about it.

So with that in mind I signed up and waited eagerly to get started.

Once I’d signed up I was given access to an online ‘portal’ reserved only for members of the course. There was a forum for discussion on each lesson that was posted and the video lessons from John Allsopp were really easy to follow, clear and concise. The fact that the exercises John set involved working with actual code, and that they were similar to what us designers/developers do from day to day really made the learning process so much easier too.

I learnt sooooo much during this course! So with that in mind, here’s a quick overview of some of what we covered. I hope to go into more detail regarding some areas in another blog post;

Doctype & Charset

Pretty basic, but important nonetheless. We looked at how to actually declare in our HTML files that we were using HTML5 with the revised much simpler HTML5 doctype. I also learnt a little more about using the correct ‘charset’ (character encoding) for HTML5 documents and its importance.

Structural Elements

One of the many exciting new features of HTML5 is the ability to use structural elements in our code. So rather than just having ‘div’ tags with css classes and id’s applied to them, we can now make our code much more semantic. For example, rather than having a ‘div’ with a class of ‘nav’, which would mean nothing to someone using a screen-reader lets say, we can specifically state that this part of our document contains our navigation by containing it with <nav></nav> tags.

Here are some of the structural elements I worked with whilst doing the HTML5 Live course.

• <header> – this is used to contain the header elements of our document.
• <hgroup> – the hgroup element is typically used to group a set of one or more h1-h6 elements — to group, for example, a section title and an accompanying subtitle.
• <nav> – used to tell the document that what’s inside this tag is our navigation.
• <aside> – typically used to mark up sidebar content, but can also be used on other content – perhaps some text which is an ‘aside’ to the main content. Context plays an important part with this one and you can read more about that on the HTML5 Doctor site.
• <section> – used to mark up different areas/sections of the page. Again this one is more tricky to get your head around and was subject to great debate during the HTML5 Live course. You can read more about it on the HTML5 Doctor site.
• <article> – think of this as something that would surround a blog post  - repeating content if you will.
• <footer> – used to mark up the content at the very bottom of our document.

The fact that we can now use these elements with HTML5 is really exciting. It should without doubt mean the start of a much more accessible web.

Web Forms

There’s some exciting new features we can use with our forms with HTML5 to make them much more semantic. We can specify what type of form fields we’re adding to a document. For example a telephone number form field can be given the following type="tel" so that it knows what type of content its going to be accepting. The same goes for URL and email. We can also mark up date selection fields much more successfully and even add sliders to forms that before we would need to use JavaScript to accomplish.

Adding placeholder text to a form field is also much more easy to achieve in HTML5, whereas before we’d need to look at using more Javascript to achieve.

Those are just some of the new features for web forms. If you want some more info then check out this 24 Ways article. Although a little dated now it’s still very useful.

Native Video & Audio

Pretty exciting is the ability to add native video and audio to our webpages with HTML5.

Audio code looks something like this;

<audio controls>
<source src="files/lesson6.mp3" type="audio/mpeg">
<source src="files/lesson6.ogg" type="audio/ogg">
</audio>


And video code like this below. You’ll notice the fall back flash content if the user is viewing the page in a browser not capable of rendering HTML5, ensuring the code degrades gracefully;

<video style="height:700px; width:700px;" autoplay controls poster="http://1.sitepointstatic.com/frontpage/images/logo.png">
<source src="files/video.mp4" type="video/mp4">
<source src="files/video.ogv" type="video/ogg">

<!-- Fall Back Content -->
<object width="160" height="90">
<param name="movie" value="files/video.swf">
<embed src="files/video.swf" width="160" height="90">
</object>
<!-- END Fall Back Content -->

<p>Sorry, still no browser support!</p>
</video>


I can tell you that when I got this working for the first time there was something really amazing about watching a video play or hearing some audio directly in the browser using HTML5. Give it a go yourself and see what I mean!

Canvas

Canvas allows us to draw with code using coordinates. All you do is create a canvas, like so, with some fallback support just in case;

<canvas id="myCanvas">
<p>Sorry, still no browser support!</p>
</canvas>


And then use Javascript to actually draw onto that canvas;

<script>
// declare the two variables at once using a comma
var canvas = document.getElementById("myCanvas"),
context = canvas.getContext("2d");

// now you're ready to draw
</script>


John Allsopp the course host even created this cool little tool which you can use to get started with canvas. It’s even got a cheat sheet with it so it’s very easy to get started. Although you’ll probably only be drawing and filling basic shapes there is a fair amount of potential waiting to be unleashed!

HTML5 Today – Dealing with browser support

What was fantastic about the end of the course was that John took time to explain what parts of HTML5 we could use safely today, and also a few ways we could make browsers that don’t currently support some elements of HTML5 (IE6, I’m looking at you!) play nice.

I’d really recommend checking out 4 of the videos in that lesson if you want to find out more about using HTML5 today;

• HTML5 Live: Lesson 8 Dealing with Browser Support (Part 1)
• HTML5 Live: Lesson 8 Dealing with Browser Support (Part 2)
• HTML5 Live: Lesson 8 Dealing with Browser Support (Part 3)
• HTML5 Live: Lesson 8 Dealing with Browser Support (Part 4)

HTML5 Live Conclusion

Overall the Sitepoint HTML5 Live Course was nothing short of brilliant and I wouldn’t hesitate to take part in another one. For $9.95 it was incredibly good value as the tutorials / lessons were in clear video format and I can still access all the course material (including articles written especially for the course) on the Sitepoint site. I believe some more of the videos are available on YouTube too if you want to check those out.

Taking part in the course has certainly helped me and I’ll definitely be trying out HTML5 on a personal project I’m working on. I hope this article has perhaps inspired you to start tinkering with HTML5 if you haven’t already.

Resources

• http://html5doctor.com/
• http://books.alistapart.com/
• http://diveintohtml5.org/
• http://html5gallery.com/

Busy, Busy, Busy!

I’ve definitely been suprised (and overwhelmed in some cases!) by the amount of inquiries I’ve received over the past year. So with that in mind I’d like to thank all the lovely people and companies I’ve had the pleasure of working with on some really great projects. I’m also really chuffed that several of those people and companies have chosen to come back to me time and again for more design work. I can see how repeat business is extremely beneficial for any business.

However, being rushed off your feet does have its down sides, although don’t get me wrong I definitely prefer being busy over twiddling my thumbs! What I’m trying to get at here is that when lots of inquiries are coming through your inbox it’s tempting at first to take everything on. Over the year I’ve been working solo I’ve learnt that to produce quality work I should only take on X number of projects per month. I’m not sure that I’ve got this nailed 100% yet, but I’m getting there.

Sense Of Accomplishment

I’d really recommend working for yourself and creating a business. There are so many hats to wear and there’s so much to learn, but overall its so much more enjoyable that working for someone else. Even the niggling little tasks that you’d hate doing at your previous job, you find yourself enjoying that little bit more. Because, at the end of the day you know its for you and your business is going to benefit.

Time To Myself

This has been by far the trickiest thing to get right. When you work from home its so hard to switch off at 5pm. I always find myself trying to relax and thinking ‘What if I just get that done now – that will free up some time tomorrow.’ or just checking my emails on my iPhone – big mistake, especially before bed!.

To help switch off its been helpful for me to really push a few of the hobbies that I was already enjoying before working for myself. These things now ensure that I get away from my computer pretty much every night.

Thinking About Going Freelance? – My Advice

If you want to go freelance / be self employed, then here are a few pieces of advice I’d offer;

• Be prepared to work hard
• Ensure you’ve got a few clients and projects under your belt before you start
• Say ‘No’ if you really can’t squeeze that piece of work in tomorrow
• Don’t forget your passion – for me this is design, and its so important devote time to feeling inspired and energized about that passion
• Be confident in your abilities

Here’s To Another Year!

Fingers crossed next year is going to be bigger and better and I’m excited by what could come from another year in business. Thats the great thing about it – who knows?

What was big in 2009

I think its pretty safe to say that 2009 was a really big year for the iPhone and mobile devices in general. The iTunes App Store now has more than 100,000 apps that have been downloaded more than 2 billion times!

From Authentic Style’s point of view, I certainly saw a great increase in the number of inquiries I’ve had requesting quotes for iPhone app UI design, or just advice in general. I’m certain that 2010 will continue to see the growth of applications but also be a year where more people start to realise the importance of optimising their websites for mobile devices.

Anyhow, here are my goals for the new year.

My Goals For 2010

Release a WordPress Theme – this is something I’ve wanted to do for a long time, but not set aside the time to complete. Its high on my priority list this year so I’m hoping to get around to it.

Blog Regularly – going freelance in April 2009 was a decision which I haven’t regreted at all. Luckily I’ve had the chance to work on a number of projects with the majority of my inquiries coming through this very website without the need to do any marketing elsewhere. To ensure this keeps happening I know I need to keep things fresh, so I’ll be trying to add more posts in 2010.

Take the last Friday of each month off – whilst being a freelancer is really great, its easy to start working even harder / more often than you did when you were employed. I think towards the end of 2009 I fell into that trap slightly. A resolution of mine this year is to take the last Friday of each month as a day off and start to remember again that I am my own boss and can ultimately control how much I work.

HTML 5 – Being really busy with freelance projects I regret to say that I’ve not dabbled with HTML5 or CSS3 as of yet. I’m definitely keeping one eye on the progress these technologies are making, but I know I need to set aside some time to start getting my hands dirty.

Personal Project – I want to create a new website offering a service. Thats all I can say right now, so you’ll just have to wait and see when / if I get around to creating the website for it. I’ve thought long and hard about the idea and I think it could be interesting to try it out and see what kind of interest it gets.

Looking back over this list as I’m writing it seems a little daunting in terms of the work associated with some of my goals. But where’s the find in just sitting back and letting opportunities pass you by? I’m kind of hoping that now I’ve publically posted these goals it means I’ll be more committed to seeing them through to completion.

So, what are your goals this year?

Anyhow, thats enough from me and what I want to achieve this year. Now I’d love to hear your goals for 2010 in the comments below.

iPhone Application

One of the most interesting things I worked on this month was the user interface design for a new iPhone application. I can’t tell you what it is yet ( its pretty niche and will only be available in French), but it was very exciting never the less. For me there was definitely something about working on a totally new area of design that was so interesting. As much as I love designing websites it was nice to take break and create a design for something that I’ll actually be able to see on my iPhone in a month or so once its been developed.

Working on this project reminded me that its so important to keep learning and trying things outside of your design comfort zone. Saying that I’ve also been working with several new clients on new identities for their companies, a discipline which I feel like I am improving in, and creating some really nice concepts.

New version of Authentic Style

If you’re a fellow designer I bet you know how tough it is to design something for yourself, right? Well I’ve had a few ideas for a new version of this site, but with the way the current version was received I have to admit I am scared to change it. The trouble with the current site is that it comes across as a portfolio for a designer rather than a small design studio, which I guess is what I am now. Don’t get me wrong, I love my clients knowing that I’m a one man band – I think I can offer things that agencies can’t, but I want to push my services more and come across more professional. Anyway, I’m hoping that in my spare time I can get some wire frames together and then begin to create a layout.

Goals for the future

Its always a good thing to set yourself goals. If you don’t what have you got to work towards? This coming month I want to look at using Expression Engine with a view to using that for sites that require a more powerful CMS, and I’m also looking forward to trying out Perch CMS on a new project I’ll be working on.

Preparing for September

September is going to be another busy month. I’m gearing up to do some work for a university, a huge strategy, design and development email newsletter project and a few websites dotted in amongst those. I’ve also got a holiday (fingers crossed) to fit in, so its going to be another busy month I think. I’ll hopefully be updating my portfolio here soon, so stay on the look out for that too!

Get your price right

Deciding on an hourly rate was something I found quite tricky. I’d had some previous experience freelancing, so I knew roughly what the going rate was, and what the agencies I had worked at in the past were charging too. Armed with that information and keeping in mind the state of the economic climate, I was able to calculate what I should be charging for my work.

“Charge too much and loose out. Charge too little and strap yourself in for some serious work!”

The trouble with setting rates is that you can charge too much and consequently loose work, or charge too little and get so much work that you can’t handle it. So based on that I think its highly important for all freelancers to continually asses their rates and modify them accordingly.

If you’re taking part in work for companies overseas, you’ll have the pleasure of dealing with conversion rates. This is definitely an area I need to improve on myself as if you’re not careful you can find yourself loosing out slightly here. To prevent this make sure you outline to your client that your hourly rate is subject to change based on the conversion rate at the time of invoicing and specify that the price you quoted initially was an estimate.

Stay on top of every project

When you’ve got loads of projects on the go it can be tough to know exactly where you are with each one when you’re constantly switching between them. I found that a combination of writing to-do lists and using BaseCamp ensures that I know where I am with everything thats going on. My clients also like the fact that they can login to BaseCamp and see an overview of all the communication we’ve had about their project, grab all the files, and see the milestones we’ve set together.

Manage your time

When you go freelance you’ll be suprised how much of your time is spent being a project manager. Personally I don’t mind this too much as it breaks up the day, and I really love the fact that I get to manage my own time, speak with clients, and book in work. Paper work is always a bit of a pain, but when you know that its necessary and all beneficial for you and your business it becomes a lot easier.

When I started booking in work I chose iCal as my weapon of choice. But, after a few days I found it really tricky to use. I wanted to book out blocks of time, say 3 days at a time, and I couldn’t see a way of doing this (I’m sure you probably can, its just that I couldn’t figure it out!). Based on that and also that I was using Gmail for my emails, I moved over to Google Calendar and absolutely love using it. I can easily move projects about, block book, colour code confimed work and provisional work and so much more.

One golden rule for you that I’ve learnt the hard way already is – always allow time for unforeseen circumstances to crop up, and also the time it takes clients to feedback to you on projects.

Basically don’t cram work in so tight that you’ve got no breathing space to deal with paperwork, more amends than you may have expected, and extra little jobs that might get thrown your way from your current clients.

Up Sell

Another thing I’ve learnt is the art of the up sell. When you’re selling a product or service, its a great opportunity to drop into conversation other ways in which you can help their business. You don’t have to do this in a pushy fashion, in fact you should totally avoid doing so. For example, simply mentioning that you’re able to optimise a website and ensure that it receives targeted traffic after you launch it might just be enough to get a client interested in your optimisation services.

Once you’ve done this you can then explain in layman’s terms some of the ways in which this can be done and ask whether this is something they might be interested in. Before you know it you might be able to gain some extra work and help your new client out.

Find out how your perceived

With some clients its easy to tell whether you’re doing a good job. With others its tougher as they might be harder to read.

Something I’ve been trying to do with my clients is getting them to take 10 minutes to fill out a short survey that I have created. At the moment I’m doing this at the end of each stage of a project, and so far it’s given me a really good idea of the areas I need to improve on and the areas that I’m excelling in. If you’ve got 15 minutes free right now, why not head over to Survey Monkey (there’s a free option), set up a survey and start finding out the areas in which you can improve the operations of your company.

To sum up

I hope you’ve found this post useful. I think its clear to see that freelancing and running your own business is a huge step and there is a massive learning curve involved. Thats one of the reasons I decided to do it and one of the reasons why I’m absolutely loving it so far. As long as you put the effort in, you can reap the rewards. I’m in no position to preach on the subject, but I thought a post like this might help others when weighing up whether to stay in an agency or make a leap for freedom!

Giant Leap

Working for yourself is a humongous step. You need to be self motivated, keen to learn, have a passion for what you do, be able to manage your time effectively, and ready to make some mistakes. I feel like I’m ready for the challenge and am really excited to be able to call myself a freelancer!

Between my last job at Redweb and my current job at Atelier I freelanced for a month just to keep myself entertained, and I realised then just how much I loved it. There was something about having to hunt for work, speak more with prospects and clients, and manage yourself from day to day that made my work time so much more interesting. Only doing it for a month isn’t going to compare to doing it full time, but it was then I realised I really didn’t want to work for someone else for the rest of my career.

So after a hell of a lot of thought and reading I decided to hand my notice in at Atelier, (if you’re looking for a design job by the way, they’re a great bunch of guys) and go it alone. I’m definitely going to miss the people there, but what with all the twittering that goes on anyway I think I’ll be able to stay in touch!

Services

I’ll mainly be offering bespoke website design, content managed websites, ecommerce solutions and email newsletter design/build. But I’d also be interested to take on graphic design jobs and smaller projects, such as sprucing up existing sites and offering advice to small business about how to further improve their websites. I’ve also got experience in search engine optimisation having worked some successful website redesigns that focused heavily on improved SEO.

More blogging

Me going freelance is going to be great news for this blog. I’m a firm believer in how much a blog can help a business and create a helpful following, no matter how big or small. So with that in mind I’ll be trying to add more posts here to generate some traffic for the Authentic Style site and help spread the word about my company.

Lastly, hire me!

Its as simple as that! Check out my work, and if you like what you see use the form to get in touch with me. I’ll let you know my rates and provide you with a quote in no time. I’m looking forward to working with some very interesting clients. To sum up, I can’t wait to start!