The Geek Talk

Who is Selene M. Bowlby?

I’m a web designer and front-end web developer with over ten years of professional experience in the design industry.

As the the owner of iDesign Studios, I specialize in creating custom web sites for other businesses – focusing primarily on custom WordPress theme design and development. I also blog on topics relating to web design, small business, freelancing and work-life balance.

Do you have a personal Brand?

Although I freelance under the business name of iDesign Studios, I feel like that is my own personal brand. My blog in particular is clearly written from the “me” point of view. And although my social media profiles are almost all “idesignstudios” they are all from me as opposed to my company. Twitter, in particular, lets you get to know the real me.

Combined, I think this all helps form my own personal brand.

How do you find design inspiration and colours for a new project?

I usually start by getting cues from the client’s existing identity – in particular for color. I then move onto photography. Whether the client has supplied their own imagery (sometimes photo shoots just for their branding) or if not, I’ll hit the stock photo sites. There’s sometimes nothing better than a great photo to spark new ideas, especially in regards to color.

I also often check a few of the CSS galleries to see what other designers are doing now. There’s nothing like looking at other great work to spark your own ideas, and make you want to improve upon your own design skills.

What does your typical day look like?

My work day usually starts at 9am with a cup of coffee (usually two), while I ease into the day by answering emails, checking Twitter and Facebook, and catching up on a few RSS feeds. I then move on to any small projects I have to complete for the day (quick client site updates, for example). I tend to spend the majority of the morning on smaller tasks, and also try to schedule any phone calls during this time, as well.

I then move onto my primary big task for the day – whether it be designing a new site, developing a WordPress theme, etc. – and spend most of the rest of the day on this. I usually end the work day around 6pm, spending the last hour responding to emails again, and doing administrative type tasks, such as writing proposals or billing, etc.

What do you do in your free time?

When I’m not working, you’ll find me spending time with my husband and daughter. I try my best to have set working hours, so I can spend the rest of my time with my family – which is often easier said than done! We tend to spend most of our time at home, but have fun going out to play mini-golf or go bowling, from time to time. And yes, I often get beat in bowling by my almost 5 year old… in my defense, though, she usually has the rails up so she can’t get any gutter balls!

One of the biggest perks of being your own boss is that you can occasionally declare an afternoon off in the middle of the week, which can make for a great spur-of-the-moment family outing!

Current favorite apps?

I’d definitely be lost without my BlackBerry – it helps keep me connected when I’m not in the office… perhaps a little bit too connected at times, LOL.

As far as on my computer itself, you’ll almost always find Photoshop, Dreamweaver and Firefox running. Within Firefox, I usually have a few open tabs with Gmail, Google Calendar, and a WordPress admin or two. I’d also be lost without TweetDeck – by far the best Twitter app out there!

What OS do you prefer?

Well, I’ve always owned PC’s, though I’ve worked with Mac’s at all of my previous day jobs. That being said, I’ve already decided my next computer will be a Mac. I’m just tired of many of the Windows quirks, and ready to try something different.

This will be a better question to ask me after the switch, LOL.

Small picture for your Workplace?

Favorite: Color, Font, Language, JS Framework?

• Color: Dark Grey
• Font: Helvetica Neue
• Language: XHTML / CSS
• JS Framework: jQuery

Name something that has inspired you recently?

I’m often inspired by the work of other designers. In particular, I’ve been visiting the CSS Line web site a lot lately to look at the great designs and new development techniques other people are using.

I find sites like this to inspire me, because it makes me want to improve upon my own design skills, and learn new web development techniques.

What do you prefer (and why)? Freelance work or full time employment?

Definitely freelance! I’m coming up on my two year full-time freelance anniversary next month, and I’ve been so much happier since taking the plunge!

Unfortunately, with freelancing you run into the inevitable feast vs famine issues. But with today’s economy, full time employment isn’t necessarily the most secure thing, either. Being your own boss – getting to pick the clients you work for, setting your own hours, etc. – certainly can’t be beat.

Yes, freelancing has it’s challenges, but I absolutely love it, and wouldn’t trade it for anything!

What are your personnel projects and goals for 2010?

One of my biggest goals has been to achieve just the right work/life balance. I’m much closer to where I want to be now, than when I was juggling a full time job in addition to freelancing – but there’s still room for improvement.

I do have a couple side projects in the planning stages, one of which I hope to launch by the end of the year – I’m keeping a wrap on that one for now, though!

Another big goal is to increase my freelance income – part of which needs to involve more marketing on my end. One of the most difficult tasks for any freelancer is to remember that you sometimes need to put yourself first. I recently re-designed my web site, which only became possible after I finally realized that I have to treat myself like a client. I normally push my own marketing and in-house projects to the side, putting client work first. That’s no way to grow your business, though… If you don’t carve out time to grow your own business it just won’t happen. If I can keep the mindset that I am my own client, then it’ll be much easier to attain my goals.