Blogging is Fundamental

Who knew that blogging about web design could help improve my design skills? I can across this great article in a tweet that gives 8 Ways Blogging about Web Design will Improve Your Work (as seen on inspectelement.com). Before now I never thought about blogging in this way before, but after reading it I got a new perspective.

So here is a summary of the 8 reasons:

1. Learn more by doing research. When you are working design something that maybe new for you, try writing about it. The research you will need to do for the blog post will help you in your design process as well.

2. Time management is a great skill to have. Getting in the habit of a blogging schedule can cross over into your work life. As a designer we may juggle multiple project at once and to get everything done you must have great time management skills.

3. Building up a library of what you’ve learnt. Bookmarking articles are easy to do but will you remember them. Writing them yourself will help you remember what your learn.

4. Blogging can improve your writing and communication Skills. Writing regularly will help you communicate effectively and reduce time wasted explaining things. The more you write the better you will become.

5. Marketing your blog especially if you want your blog to be read by as many people as possible. It can also show your current client base and potential one that you know what you are talking.

6. Networking is key in any situation. It can also lead to other opportunities, such as guest posting on other blogs. Bottom line reaching out to other designers and bloggers will help in your quest to become better.

7. Maintaining a Site. Maintaining your own site will also give you the opportunity to do some usability testing and give you an insight as to what techniques work well or not. Obviously designing a blog is different to designing a non-blog site for a client but you will still learn plenty that can be applied to your day job.

8. Work for yourself – who doesn’t like a bit of creative freedom now and then?

You can read the full article at 8 Ways Blogging about Web Design will Improve Your Work.