Design Coyote

Clients, Blogging, and New Design

Nikki — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 01:12:54 +0000

It may seem like there hasn’t been a lot going on at DC, but you’d be wrong. I’ve been working a lot behind the scenes, completing projects for DC clients, and working with Delicious Design Studio to help them get through their long waiting list. In my spare time (what little I have), I’ve also been working on a new look and feel for Design Coyote – I’ll be incorporating more of my portfolio into the content, and I’ll also be getting rid of the blog entirely, since that’s what Snailbird is – my design and personal blog. DC will still be a mostly blog design firm, but I’ve also expanded doing contract work for a few small businesses and things have been working out well.

I’m excited at where Design Coyote is going and I hope to have more news in the future – as well as a great new design. Keep checking back! We’re open and still going. Want a design? Don’t forget to fill out our Quote Request form and ask for one!

Back in Action!

Nikki — Mon, 04 May 2009 04:55:21 +0000

Well I’m back from Austin and back in the office. Started work on designs for two different clients and I have a few projects lined up to move other clients to Wordpress. It’ll be a busy week (I hope). A few things though before the week gets to hectic for me to blog.

01. Run Jen Run, a really wonderful client, now has everything up and running. DC moved her over from Movable Type to Wordpress and set her up with a new design (with header courtesy of Kris Dresen). Jenny was great to work with and I’m really glad she likes her design.

02. “The Best 80 Photoshop Text Effects on the Web” – One of the most comprehensive collection of Text Effect tutorials I have ever seen. Seriously – if you’ve seen it on the web, this place has the way to do it. I’m posting this link here as much for you guys as much for me. This is really helpful. Check them out!

03. Content Management Systems. I will always and forever be an avid Wordpress user, however, are there advantages to using a CMS such as Drupal or Joomla for non-blog websites? I use WP for my portfolio and for other static sites, but is there evidence that using a different CMS would be better? I’d really like to get opinions on this. Comment here or send me a tweet.

04. A really great collection of website background tutorials: “Outstanding Website Background Guide.” I’ve been working on creating some seamless background textures, and I found this incredibly helpful for finding a tutorial for everything I need.

05. And what every beginning web designer needs to know: “The Ugly Truth Behind Starting a Web Design Blog.” While my site isn’t really for blogging, I’m beginning to wonder if I should start one that’s beyond what I twitter. This article gives me a great understanding of just what to do and what not to do. A highly recommended read.

That’s it for now. Let this week begin!

Out of the Office.

Nikki — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 14:55:10 +0000

Out of the Office!

Just to let everyone know, I’m currently on my way down to Austin, TX for a week for a long over-due vacation (as well as do some job-hunting). If you have a project I’m working on, I will get started on it as soon as I’m back. Until then, sit back and relax and enjoy the Spring. I know I sure will.

Austin, here I come!

Paper Trail II Theme!

Nikki — Sat, 11 Apr 2009 20:36:09 +0000

I’ve had quite a few people request that my Paper Trail Wordpress Theme be customized for Blogger, with a three column version. Well your pleas have not fallen on deaf ears! You can now purchase Paper Trail II for either Wordpress or Blogger in a simple, yet cute, three column design.

Any feedback on the theme is greatly appreciated. If you’re interested in this design or others like it, head over to our Premade Shop to purchase it or learn more information. Enjoy!

Portfolio Updated!

Nikki — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 00:01:58 +0000

While I haven’t finished any themes for the shop lately, I have been working. I’ve updated my portfolio page to include three new designs I’ve finished and released in the past two weeks. The most recent one was a new blogger design for Jennifer of Tropical Fruit Bowl.

I’m really pleased with this one because the illustrations came out just as I wanted them too (especially the sand and umbrella). Jennifer wanted something that reflected the name of her blog, and I believe this design did just that. Any feedback is appreciated.

I will hopefully have some designs for the shop (and maybe even a new freebie) by the end of the week. Happy designing, all!

Design of a Footer.

Nikki — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 22:11:38 +0000

Footers are an important element of any design. Designers and Developers are starting to recognize that the footer can not only hold a lot of information, but they can also be a great place to incorporate some great design techniques. I have slowly started to increase the amount of content I put into my own footers as well as in my premades. I have also started to add more and more design to it, as seen in my newest design over at Snailbird.com:

While the content quantity is still small, the design element has been upped. I think having beautiful footers increases the quality of a web design and it gives readers a little surprise when they reach the end of a page. Who knows what they may find in a well-created footer!

Smashing Magazine has a great article on footers with some wonderful examples of what footers can be like and what they are good for. Take a look.

For more creative footers, check out 400+ Beautiful Footers in Web Design. The possibilities are endless. What do you like seeing in a footer?

Songbird Shop Theme

Nikki — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 23:18:25 +0000

A new theme has been added to the DC Premade Shop! It’s a two column Wordpress theme featuring artwork by yours truly. In honor of spring, it features a blue sky and a couple of little birds that are singing just for you. Check it out in our Premade Shop!

Any feedback on the theme is greatly appreciated. If you’re interested in this theme, head to the shop to purchase it or learn more information. I hope everyone is enjoying the wonderful Spring!

Spring is Upon Us!

Nikki — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 15:31:47 +0000

The windows behind my desk are open and the warm breeze and sounds of songbirds have finally entered the world (and my office). After I finally finish rearranging my room this morning to fit in some smallish bookshelves and end tables, I’m going to design to my heart’s content. I have a business project to finish for my girlfriend, a few new themes to finish and add to the shop, and I’m waiting to hear back from three clients about designs. I also want to do some heavy advertising for DC since I haven’t gotten around to doing much of that.

That’s not really what I wanted to post about. I have two articles that I wanted to share about starting up a design business and some of the more popular trends in the design world.

01. 28 Must Read Articles For Growing Your Freelance Design Business by Design Cubicle
Many of these articles are almost imperative when it comes to starting up a web business and I’m glad I found them so soon (thanks Lauren!). I highly recommend you give these a read if you’re thinking about going freelance. I know I will definitely take them into account.

02. Web Design Trends for 2009 by Smashing Magazine
Might I just say, for those of you who haven’t caught on, I love designing. But lately I’ve been feeling like I’ve been stuck in a rut of same-old-same-old layouts and designs. This article has completely inspired me and I cannot wait to get started incorporating these into future designs. You will most likely see some of these in future shop themes (I know this for a fact since I’ve already started on some!). Anyway, check it out and you’ll see what I mean.

It’s a little chillier outside than it was yesterday, but it sounds and smells like Spring and I’m happy.

Design Inspiration

Nikki — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 01:53:56 +0000

One of my biggest inspirations while working on a design is music. I love listening to upbeat tunes as I fool around in Photoshop. Sometimes it’s jpop, sometimes it’s 80s music, sometimes I mix it up with a little hip hop. If it has a great beat, I’ll give it a try. It just gives me the motivation I need to sit down and focus. I thought maybe some of you may be the same way so I created a short little 8-track mix of some of the songs that show up on my Tunes to Design To playlist. Give it a listen!

If you all like this, I’ll make another in the future with some more of my favorite Design Tunes. My other inspirations include random textiles, fashion designs, nature, and randomly generated color schemes.

What inspires you?

Grand Opening!

Nikki — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 01:33:24 +0000

We are officially up and running! We have opened our doors and started the process of getting previous clients from Snailbird.com to head this way for new themes – both from the shop and freebies. The shop will be constantly updated from herein out and every once in awhile you’ll find new freebie themes as well. Of course, we will always be open for custom designing so make you sure you fill out our Free Quote Request form to find out how much a design is.

Welcome to Design Coyote!

Since we’ve opened last week, we’ve added two new wordpress themes to our premade shop:

To check out prices and purchase a theme, visit The Shop!

Feedback is more than welcome. We’d love to hear what you think about the new site. If you have any problems or find something not working, please shoot us an email through our Contact Form. I’d really appreciate it.

Thanks for stopping by and I hope you have a great day!