Showing posts with label Skills. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Skills. Show all posts

Tuesday, April 7, 2015

The 10 Most Valuable Skills To Put On Your Design Resume

A designer’s resume calls for creativity and impact above and beyond the typical business resume. All designers are creative by nature, so presenting an average CV just won’t do. To stand out from the pack, some key areas should be highlighted. Here are 10 valuable resume skills to make yours much more competitive:


1. The Skills Ideal Employers Are Looking For


If a specific position or income level is desired, the applicant should find and analyze job postings in this area. For example, if you want to get a design job with a 0,000+ salary, find these types of listings and examine them to see what types of skills they require. Accentuate these particular abilities and experiences in your resume to make it even more relevant in the eyes of the employer.


2. Achievements


Employers love hiring competent, proactive people, so list your achievements prominently. These might include awards and prestigious projects. Tip: for additional impact, include the company logos of your most recognizable clients.


3. Communication Skills


Communication is a top skill valued in nearly every profession, but it becomes especially important in the design industry. Communicating in relation to design deliverables is paramount, as are verbal and written presentation skills. Your resume should substantiate the entire spectrum of your communication skills.


4. Problem-Solving


The ability to find solutions to issues that arise is invaluable to employers. Being flexible to changing conditions is a part of this skill. Reasoning, creativity and experience all come into play, and your resume should feature them as problem-solving skills.


5. Effective Planning and Organization


Solid planning skills and organization are traits that are highly sought after in an employee, especially in the design world. This skill goes hand in hand with punctuality and meeting deadlines, which are essential to being productive in the workplace.


6. Technical Skills


From computers to software to devices and the cloud, most jobs today require knowledge about computer hardware and how different components work together. If a desired position calls for specific device and software knowledge, these technical skills should be prominently displayed in your resume.


7. The Ability to Be a Team Player


From basic interpersonal skills with co-workers to working closely with colleagues on a group project, the ability to be an effective team player is important to most businesses and organizations. Highlight previous experiences where you’ve displayed an aptitude to succeed in team efforts.


8. Research and Analytical Skills


When a job requires gathering data, the ability to complete efficient, effective analysis and research separates average designers from great ones. These areas should be highlighted within your resume in a stand-alone section.


9. Leadership


If the job will require a management or team leader role, leadership skills will likely be sought by the employer. The ability to create a positive work environment and inspire confidence in others is a part of this essential skill set. Make sure that you are clear as to how you’ve enacted this role in the past.


10. Integrity


Integrity is something all employers look for in their staff. In an age of business dishonesty, disloyalty and corporate scandals, hiring genuine people is a priority. In a designer’s resume, this can come through by highlighting volunteer work that has been done in the workplace or community.



To make a designer resume stand out from the rest, these 10 valuable skills should be included. Play up your abilities and draft a document that truly portrays what you are capable of. We’re rooting for you!



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The 10 Most Valuable Skills To Put On Your Design Resume

Tuesday, January 13, 2015

Better Yourself in 2015: 20 Educational Sites to Level Up Your Skills

Happy 2015! This year, instead of bothering to make some New Year’s resolution you won’t keep, why not start things off with a new positive routine? Whether you’re looking to completely change your career or simply keep up your skills to stay employable, online education offers the solution. Here are the top 20 sites with free or affordable courses on everything from programming to photography.


1. Khana Academy


Khana Academy is focused on a variety of basic subjects, from algebra to organic chemistry. Those who want to start out with their Computer 101 can learn web design, coding and HTML in hour chunks of time.


Educational-Sites


2. Code Academy


Designed to bring Computer Science into the classroom, Code.org uses games to teach the basics of coding. Learn to code, to use JavaScript, to build apps and more in one hour chunks of time.


Educational-Sites


3. CodeHS


Another coding website targeted towards students, CodeHS offers computer science courses like Java and web development. Personal tutors help students of all ages excel at their new computer skills.


Educational-Sites


4. Code School


Want to get beyond the basics of HTML and Java? Code School includes courses on modern programming like iOS development, Git and Ruby, in order to catch you up to speed. Use screen casts and interactive exercises to code and receive badges.


Educational-Sites


5. Treehouse


This paid program, which starts at per month, helps users learn languages like HTML and Ruby on Rails. Another offering? Discover how to run your own business with the Treehouse career and branding courses.


Educational-Sites


6. Coursera


Coursera pairs with worldwide institutions to provide courses on everything from digital marketing to data mining to global affairs.


Educational-Sites


7. Train Simple


Used by brands like Nike and DreamWorks, Train Simple is an on demand educational series accessible from all of your devices. Learn Adobe, WordPress, Illustrator and more. Trying to pick up a new hobby? Try using Train Simple’s photography and DSLR tutorial.


Educational-Sites


8. uDemy


Want to learn something beyond computer skills? uDemy offers courses in guitar, makeup, yoga and almost anything your heart desires. The prices depend on the class, so hurry on over to start learning today.


Educational-Sites


9. Learnable


Learnable varies from other online learning models by providing access to e-book on top of online courses. With video tutorials and live chats, this atmosphere is engaging for users who want to go beyond reading and trying programs on their own.


Educational-Sites


10. Creative Live


Creative Live provides access to live video training across a variety of topics for entrepreneurs, marketers, designers and more. Classes include multiple videos with shots of real people to make learning feel like a classroom or forum series.


Educational-Sites


11. Kelby One


Another forum focused on videos and online courses, Kelby One provides expert training in photography, Lightroom and Photoshop, with options suitable for beginners to professional photographers.


Educational-Sites


12. Total Training


Total Training provides expert-led video training that also offers one-on-one training throughout the course. You’ll be able to complete exercises while watching the courses, mimicking a classroom setting. This website focuses on over 240 courses in technology and music.


Educational-Sites


13. Bitfountain.io


Are you an Apple lover? Bitfountain.io focuses on iOS software to build your own programs for iPhone and iPad.


Educational-Sites


14. DASH


Whether you want to build awesome websites with HTML, Java or CSS, DASH makes learning code a fun game.


Educational-Sites


15. Code Academy


Code Academy focuses on the basics of coding so you can learn how to build your own website, interactive website or Rails application. Focusing on education, join the movement to make technology the forefront of learning.


Educational-Sites


16. Lynda


Lynda is a monthly subscription service. You get unlimited access to courses and videos in anything from technology to going paperless to small business secrets.


Educational-Sites


17. Skillshare


Skillshare is a membership website targeted towards creatives. You can join for free and learn with free classes, or upgrade your membership for offline viewing and supporting teachers on the website.


Educational-Sites


18. Seanwes


Are you on the computer too much? Go back to the basics–we mean real basics–with Seanwes, learn offline hand lettering with this course.


Educational-Sites


19. Laracasts


Learn technology in bite-size videos for PHP techniques with Laracasts.


Educational-Sites


20. Skilledup


Find online courses that help you with business skills, including marketing, job searching and technology applications with Skilledup.


Educational-Sites


Where Do You Go To Learn Online?


This list represents our favorite educational sites, now it’s your turn. Where do you go to learn online? What sites have you found helpful recently?


Better Yourself in 2015: 20 Educational Sites to Level Up Your Skills

Sunday, December 7, 2014

10 Cool Dads With Awesome Costume-Making Skills

If there’s one skill dads of the world pride themselves on, it’s that they are handy with tools. From fixing the house’s plumbing to building the traditional tree house, it is a skill that can be applied to anything. It can even be said that a dad’s handiness with tools really shines when combined with creativity and innovativity.


Take these 10 cool dads who use their skills to make costumes for their kids for instance. These are the dads who won’t settle for a store bought costume, choosing instead to give their kids a unique outfit that would be the highlight of their childhood. There’s no doubt that a father’s love and creativity knows no limits when it comes to these costumes.



Dad Builds Daughter Mech Suit


Many were jealous when they saw what this Japanese father built for his daughter: a fully functioning mech suit. And no, it’s not made out of cardboard. It actually looks like an honest-to-goodness robot complete with metal and wires. Whatever this dad does for a living, he definitely has skills as you can see from this video, where his kids are gleefully playing with what looks like a plane machine and a shooting tic-tac-toe game. This dad is cool personified.


dad-mech-suit


Dad Creates LED Costume For Daughter


Glowy Zoey is the nickname given to this precious little girl in a LED costume her dad made. This year he decided to up the ante by improving the costume with Minnie Mouse ears and lights that change colors. That’s not all there is to the costume as apparently the lights respond to sound. Who knew watching a little girl running around as a stick Minnie Mouse in the dark could be so adorable?


dad-led-costume


Dad Makes Iron Man Suit For Baby


Technically, Eric Hart only constructed Iron Man’s mask but it was definitely well-done. Born premature, Eric’s son Collier has been hooked up to tubes and wires since birth. As a way to instill some courage in that little body and to celebrate Halloween, the professional propmaker set about constructing Iron Man’s mask out of foam which you can watch the process here. Stay brave there, young Collier.


dad-iron-man-suit


Dad Builds LEGO Movie Costume


At first glance, I thought this was a life-sized LEGO minifig until I saw the kid inside the costume. Drawing inspiration from the LEGO Movie, this boy’s dad, who works as a factory machinist, painstakingly crafted this extraordinary costume in time for Halloween. Although when wearing the costume his son can’t bend his knees, you have to admire this father’s amazing craftmanship. Check out this article for more pictures of the LEGO costume.


dad-lego-costume
(Image source: The Daily Dot)


Dad Turns Son’s Wheelchair Into Army Tank


Stepdads are dads too and contrary to popular belief, not all of them are out to make life miserable. In fact, the ones worth mentioning make life worth living. Like this dad who wanted his wheelchair-bound stepson to enjoy Halloween at its fullest. So he poured all of his love and time to constructing a tank costume around his son’s wheelchair. A father’s ingenuity knows no bounds.


stepdad-tank-wheelchair
(Image source: Bored Panda)


Dad Becomes Princess Leia


Tom Burns’ costume-making skills may not seem like much compared to the other fathers on this list, but he deserves all the awards for instilling an important lesson in his daughter: She can be anyone she wants to be. This came about when he was watching Star Wars with his daughter when she turned around and asked, “Do you think I could be Han Solo for Halloween?” Tom said yes, helped put together her Han Solo outfit, and became Princess Leia to accompany her. There’s nothing better than a father who actually walks the talk. In style.


dad-princess-leia-han-solo
(Image source: Upworthy)


Dad Turns Son’s Wheelchair Into Ice Cream Truck


Dads who create costumes around their child’s wheelchair all deserve special mention. Take little Carter’s dad for example. Inflicted with spina bifida, Carter has to use a wheelchair to get around. And that includes trick-or-treating for Halloween. Thus, Carter’s ice cream truck costume that comes with back wheels and even an elaborate window display. Watch little Carter wheeling himself happily to collect his sweets here.


dad-wheelchair-ice-cream-truck


Dad Transforms Son Into Transformer


Humans can’t be a Transformer, you say? Well, this dad just proved you wrong as he sets about turning his son into Bumblebee. It’s an impressive construction piece made from cardboard complete with flashing lights. Make sure you watch the video to see how this little dude transfrom from unseeming car to an extra-terrestial robot. Michael Bay, sign this kid up (and his dad) for your next movie!


dad-transformer


Dad Makes Elaborate Wheelchair Costumes For Daughter


Reddit user bzzltyr has been creating elaborate wheelchair costumes for his daughter who has a rare condition called schizencephaly. He has been doing it for years so that she could join in the Halloween fun. This year was no different as he decided to go with the theme of Pixar’s movie ‘Up’. The girl’s brother, who has been her constant Halloween partner, dresses up as Russel to her Mr. Fredrikson while her wheelchair is a spectacular mobile house complete with balloons.


dad-up-wheelchair-daughter
(Image source: Parent Dish)


Dad Makes Aliens Costume For Two


Dads don’t only bond with their kids by making their costumes, they share costumes with them too. Just take a look at Jason Smith and his baby daughter. Taking inspiration from the movie Aliens, Jason set about building this Power Loader robot suit with space for his daughter to sit comfortably in the front. This creative dad is creative as he is practical, designing the suit for mobility and a quick exit in case of emergencies. Watch the suit in action as Jason and his daughter strolling along the streets here.


dad-aliens-suit



10 Cool Dads With Awesome Costume-Making Skills

Friday, December 5, 2014

10 Cool Dads With Awesome Costume-Making Skills

If there’s one skill dads of the world pride themselves on, it’s that they are handy with tools. From fixing the house’s plumbing to building the traditional tree house, it is a skill that can be applied to anything. It can even be said that a dad’s handiness with tools really shines when combined with creativity and innovativity.


Take these 10 cool dads who use their skills to make costumes for their kids for instance. These are the dads who won’t settle for a store bought costume, choosing instead to give their kids a unique outfit that would be the highlight of their childhood. There’s no doubt that a father’s love and creativity knows no limits when it comes to these costumes.



Dad Builds Daughter Mech Suit


Many were jealous when they saw what this Japanese father built for his daughter: a fully functioning mech suit. And no, it’s not made out of cardboard. It actually looks like an honest-to-goodness robot complete with metal and wires. Whatever this dad does for a living, he definitely has skills as you can see from this video, where his kids are gleefully playing with what looks like a plane machine and a shooting tic-tac-toe game. This dad is cool personified.


dad-mech-suit


Dad Creates LED Costume For Daughter


Glowy Zoey is the nickname given to this precious little girl in a LED costume her dad made. This year he decided to up the ante by improving the costume with Minnie Mouse ears and lights that change colors. That’s not all there is to the costume as apparently the lights respond to sound. Who knew watching a little girl running around as a stick Minnie Mouse in the dark could be so adorable?


dad-led-costume


Dad Makes Iron Man Suit For Baby


Technically, Eric Hart only constructed Iron Man’s mask but it was definitely well-done. Born premature, Eric’s son Collier has been hooked up to tubes and wires since birth. As a way to instill some courage in that little body and to celebrate Halloween, the professional propmaker set about constructing Iron Man’s mask out of foam which you can watch the process here. Stay brave there, young Collier.


dad-iron-man-suit


Dad Builds LEGO Movie Costume


At first glance, I thought this was a life-sized LEGO minifig until I saw the kid inside the costume. Drawing inspiration from the LEGO Movie, this boy’s dad, who works as a factory machinist, painstakingly crafted this extraordinary costume in time for Halloween. Although when wearing the costume his son can’t bend his knees, you have to admire this father’s amazing craftmanship. Check out this article for more pictures of the LEGO costume.


dad-lego-costume
(Image source: The Daily Dot)


Dad Turns Son’s Wheelchair Into Army Tank


Stepdads are dads too and contrary to popular belief, not all of them are out to make life miserable. In fact, the ones worth mentioning make life worth living. Like this dad who wanted his wheelchair-bound stepson to enjoy Halloween at its fullest. So he poured all of his love and time to constructing a tank costume around his son’s wheelchair. A father’s ingenuity knows no bounds.


stepdad-tank-wheelchair
(Image source: Bored Panda)


Dad Becomes Princess Leia


Tom Burns’ costume-making skills may not seem like much compared to the other fathers on this list, but he deserves all the awards for instilling an important lesson in his daughter: She can be anyone she wants to be. This came about when he was watching Star Wars with his daughter when she turned around and asked, “Do you think I could be Han Solo for Halloween?” Tom said yes, helped put together her Han Solo outfit, and became Princess Leia to accompany her. There’s nothing better than a father who actually walks the talk. In style.


dad-princess-leia-han-solo
(Image source: Upworthy)


Dad Turns Son’s Wheelchair Into Ice Cream Truck


Dads who create costumes around their child’s wheelchair all deserve special mention. Take little Carter’s dad for example. Inflicted with spina bifida, Carter has to use a wheelchair to get around. And that includes trick-or-treating for Halloween. Thus, Carter’s ice cream truck costume that comes with back wheels and even an elaborate window display. Watch little Carter wheeling himself happily to collect his sweets here.


dad-wheelchair-ice-cream-truck


Dad Transforms Son Into Transformer


Humans can’t be a Transformer, you say? Well, this dad just proved you wrong as he sets about turning his son into Bumblebee. It’s an impressive construction piece made from cardboard complete with flashing lights. Make sure you watch the video to see how this little dude transfrom from unseeming car to an extra-terrestial robot. Michael Bay, sign this kid up (and his dad) for your next movie!


dad-transformer


Dad Makes Elaborate Wheelchair Costumes For Daughter


Reddit user bzzltyr has been creating elaborate wheelchair costumes for his daughter who has a rare condition called schizencephaly. He has been doing it for years so that she could join in the Halloween fun. This year was no different as he decided to go with the theme of Pixar’s movie ‘Up’. The girl’s brother, who has been her constant Halloween partner, dresses up as Russel to her Mr. Fredrikson while her wheelchair is a spectacular mobile house complete with balloons.


dad-up-wheelchair-daughter
(Image source: Parent Dish)


Dad Makes Aliens Costume For Two


Dads don’t only bond with their kids by making their costumes, they share costumes with them too. Just take a look at Jason Smith and his baby daughter. Taking inspiration from the movie Aliens, Jason set about building this Power Loader robot suit with space for his daughter to sit comfortably in the front. This creative dad is creative as he is practical, designing the suit for mobility and a quick exit in case of emergencies. Watch the suit in action as Jason and his daughter strolling along the streets here.


dad-aliens-suit











10 Cool Dads With Awesome Costume-Making Skills