Free Vector and PSD Downloads UPDATE!

In the past I required registration to download my vectors and layered PSD files but unfortunately I just don't have time to keep up with all the SPAM that I get because of this so I am now opening up all my free files to be downloaded without any registration required.  Enjoy! :)

Downoads | Marketing | Security | Usability | Freebies | Free Icons | Design Resources | PSD files | Susan Jackman | Vectors | Improving Our Service | Solutions | Great Resources

Although the design looks the same my personal portfolio site has gone through a major overhaul. The old site had what was "at the time" a sharp cutting edge CSS gallery, but it did not prove to have good scalability.  As my portfolio grew the process of adding new work to the site became something I dreaded to do.  It took a while to rebuild such a large site, but that is exactly what I did.  Only this time I used a content management system (CMS) called Joomla.  I have used it for many clients to allow them an easy way to take care of their own sites and realized that I could benefit from this with my own site.  The nice thing about rebuilding your portfolio is that it gives you a chance to catch up with all the technology you've learned. The image gallery needed to be more robust and needed to "look" simpler, even though it is actually quite complex.   I structured the galleries a little differently and although it looks clean and simple, in reality I have three times more work displayed then before.

Joomla | Content Management | Web Development | Planning | Susan Jackman

There are many cons to outsourcing work to India, and similar countries, as I'm sure my readers are well aware but I thought I'd take a moment to share with you my experience.  I don't like to blog about negative experiences but each and everyday I am bombarded by emails from companies located in India asking me to outsource work to them and it's time to take a public stance on this issue. The following is why I will never willingly use an over-seas outsourcing company if I have a choice.

This is a very touchy subject and while I may potentially scare away some of my readers or clients with this topic, I’m okay with that because I am standing up for what I believe in and I only wish to further foster relationships built on mutual understanding and shared values.

My last post entitled the biggest challenges a virtual team must face is a good place to start when discussing the negative impacts of outsourcing.  I will start with that and then share my own personal experience.  It is important for you to realize that my opinion on this topic is not just based on research but actual experiences as well.

What we are about | Susan Jackman | Improving Our Service | Case Study | Methodology | Web Development | Collaboration | Web-based Communication | Buyer beware | Outsourcing | Controversy

About 6 months ago I wrote a post on the biggest challenges that a design team must face.  I do not feel that I gave this subject matter enough attention and would like to expand on this issue more.

I wrote that there are two big challenges faced by all teams. In-effective utilization or organization of timelines and poor communication.  These two issues work hand in hand against each other.  These issues are based on my experiences working on an international level and online with virtual teams, but are also relevant for a design team that works in different rooms, floors, offices, and if any members are offsite completely. I’d also like to include a third issue into the mix, which is teamwork, or more accurately individuality.

Ultimately everyone will agree that time is money, and these issues will drain both.
Communication (both positive and negative) is the foundation for a virtual teams success.

Web-based Communication | Collaboration | Methodology | Design Process | Improving Our Service | Susan Jackman | What we are about

O-Ten-Talla Website

Although it hasn't made it into the showcase of our work yet, we have recently launched a new project for the Girl Scout Service Unit on Signal Mountain, Tennessee.

As a Girl Scout leader I volunteered to become the Website Coordinator.  This website was created to benifit the O-Ten-Talla is a girl scout service unit of The Girl Scout Council of the Southern Appalachians.  Because I was both the developer and the client I was able to create the site very quickly because I knew what I wanted to do with it.  This will be one of those always evolving projects.

Susan Jackman | Web Design | Content Management | Multimedia | Web Development | Projects