http://www.ianjamescox.com/index.php/site/index/ Manchester Web design blog and portfolio en iancox@gmail.com Copyright 2010 2010-07-28T10:35:00+00:00 http://www.ianjamescox.com/index.php/v6/comments/flying_on_my_own_1st_month/ http://www.ianjamescox.com/index.php/v6/comments/flying_on_my_own_1st_month/ Its been a really exciting first month for me. Its been a success. I’ve reached my targets and then some. If anything I’m too busy. I had my eye on doing some of my own projects whilst It was quiet but I’ve just not had the chance. Thats a good thing though. I’ve also learnt a lot. I’ve been into 4 different agencies and its been a really insight into how things work (and don’t work). Its also opened my eyes to want I want to do with my future and what kind of freelancer I want to be. I’ve noticed that the market is screaming for front-enders that do great HTML and CSS so if thats your bag then maybe you should think about jumping into the world of self-employment. I’m really pleased about how things are going and know that i made the right choice to go solo. If you want to work with me send me an message though my contact form. Also I’ll be sending my second newsletter out next week so If you want to receive that signup to my newsletter list below.. Look at me 2010-07-28T10:35:00+00:00 http://www.ianjamescox.com/index.php/v6/comments/freelance_announcement/ http://www.ianjamescox.com/index.php/v6/comments/freelance_announcement/ On the 1st of July I officially became a full-time freelancer leaving my position as Art Director at Bliss. Exciting times ahead. I’m already stacked out with work. I’m looking forward to working on some of my own projects too. Anyhow If you have a lovely project you think I would be suitable for, get in touch. Look at me 2010-07-11T18:27:00+00:00 http://www.ianjamescox.com/index.php/v6/comments/creative_review_cards/ http://www.ianjamescox.com/index.php/v6/comments/creative_review_cards/ Getting all Blue Peter on you today. Future of Web Design London is approaching fast, I’ve not got round to creating business cards for Bliss. With this in mind I’ve had to be creative to handcraft my own. Now, these are not to be taking too seriously. Its just a bit of fun. I’ve cut up a cover of an old Creative Review magazine and used to some labels for the other side. All I need now is a rubber band to keep my cards all nice and neat. If your at FOWD next week come and grab a card off me. I’ll hand them out randomly, if you get one of the two Creative Review logo cards I’ll buy you a nice lovely beer! Code / Design 2010-05-13T15:16:00+00:00 http://www.ianjamescox.com/index.php/v6/comments/donate_a_design_day/ http://www.ianjamescox.com/index.php/v6/comments/donate_a_design_day/ I’m going to donate Saturday the 15th of may 2010 to do design jobs for charity. interested in grabbing one of the initial 3 slots available (x 2 hrs)?. Its for Marie curie, so get some design work done (well) and raise some money for charity. everyone’s a winner. I’ll do the work and you donate what you think is appropriate. Get in touch through my contact form or DM me on twitter if your interested. Or just fancy making a donation? - http://www.justgiving.com/ianjamescox Code / Design 2010-05-01T11:45:00+00:00 http://www.ianjamescox.com/index.php/v6/comments/new_launch_rrg_celebrity_plates/ http://www.ianjamescox.com/index.php/v6/comments/new_launch_rrg_celebrity_plates/ I’ve been working on this for the past few weeks now. Its a campaign for the RRG Group and the launch of the new number plates in the UK. You will notice that its all done in Jquery and CSS3 magic. So go play the game and win £500 off a new car. RRG Celebrity plates Code / Design 2010-03-09T16:57:00+00:00 http://www.ianjamescox.com/index.php/v6/comments/little_bit_of_creative/ http://www.ianjamescox.com/index.php/v6/comments/little_bit_of_creative/ Every now and again we get invited to pitch for projects with no real brief. The Brief is open. Anyway I came up with this concept and chucked this together in about 60 mins. Obviously as its a pitch we don’t want to spend any more time on this. Its a good creative exercise though, communicating your ideas visually in a short space of time. Its rather refreshing. Code / Design 2010-01-27T10:16:00+00:00 http://www.ianjamescox.com/index.php/v6/comments/merry_christmas_2009/ http://www.ianjamescox.com/index.php/v6/comments/merry_christmas_2009/ Ramblings 2009-12-24T17:39:00+00:00 http://www.ianjamescox.com/index.php/v6/comments/when_you_lose_your_creative_mojo/ http://www.ianjamescox.com/index.php/v6/comments/when_you_lose_your_creative_mojo/ Rather recently (months ago, not weeks) I lost my designers eye. Everything I touched turned to well, crap. I felt Un-inspired, in a rut. “....what better than all these sparks collected up into a little bottle of inspiration”Rather recently (months ago, not weeks) I lost my designers eye. Everything I touched turned to well, crap. I felt Un-inspired, in a rut. I was working late hours and couldn’t seem to get my breath back. Now, I’m not blaming late hours or tight deadlines because that’s the life of designer. I just needed to snap myself out of it and I’ll admit I struggled. Eventually I got back on track. But the whole experience left me feeling that I need to setup some measures for when it happens again, and it will for sure. I’m rather human you see. Solution My way out? A collection of all my ideas, thoughts, likes, inspiration. All in the one place. The tool? Little snapper. The hard part? Well, its not just downloading and installing the thing. No its a little bit harder than that. What you need to do Is to change the way you view things. Every time you see something you like, snap it. It could be anything, anything that sparks of that little spot in your brain. You see, these little sparks motivate you to create bigger and better. So next time your in a rut, what better than all these sparks collected up into a little bottle of inspiration. I look forward to my next creative wet patch. Code / Design 2009-12-10T22:32:00+00:00 http://www.ianjamescox.com/index.php/v6/comments/flame_digitals_creative_director_speaks/ http://www.ianjamescox.com/index.php/v6/comments/flame_digitals_creative_director_speaks/ Creative Director of Flame Digital Dom Rodwell performed an engaging talk titled - Choose your own adventure - Brand storytelling in a digital world. The Gate Labs gets a mention at 18:40 too. Grab a cuppa and get comfy. Code / Design 2009-11-13T15:01:00+00:00 http://www.ianjamescox.com/index.php/v6/comments/sites_i_liked_in_october/ http://www.ianjamescox.com/index.php/v6/comments/sites_i_liked_in_october/ Now I’m embracing LittleSnapper and loving it, I thought I’d make a feature of browsing back through the things I’ve snapped over the previous month. Paravel - view site Creative Capital New York - view site Serial Cut - view site Hickman and Rose - view site Nosotro - view site Paravel My favorite combination, Illustration and web design. Paravel have really nailed it. I love how they have illustrations for every case study. It gives the work character. - Paravel Creative Capital New York This is just awesome. Really, really bold. I love this type of design. Trying something different and pulling it off. The combination of the minimal grid, photography and vibrant colors are perfect. - Creative Capital New York Serial Cut You should be ashamed of yourself If you haven't seen this by now. Makes a Jquery fanboy knee's quiver. The inspiration for supponor. - Serial Cut Hickman and Rose Had to mix it up with a corporate site. This is just lovely graphic design. So simple and perfect. Makes Solicitors slightly more likable. - Hickman and Rose Nosotro I think I have about 5 different mini-snapshots of this site. Such a pleasure to browse. Each page feels so loved. Another great example of effective Illustration. - Nosotro Code / Design 2009-11-05T13:59:00+00:00