How's your dribbbling Bloggees? If you don't know what I'm talking about, I'm referring to the design show-and-tell website, Dribbble (you can check out the site here). This Salem, Massachusetts based site has grown to be a go-to site for showcasing design work. As a matter of fact, my personal website is directly connected to my dribbble account and updates each time I post a new shot. One problem though is finding the time to create pieces that you can show off on your account. As with each year, it seems like life goes by just a little bit quicker. It won't be long until designers everywhere will be neck deep in projects for Christmas. However, before you give up the idea of a dribbble account due to time constraints, here are three useful ideas to produce productive, shot worthy designs (without taxing your schedule).
PERSONALPROJECTS
Create projects for items that you need for your home (grocery list, checklist, etc.). Treat it as a two-fold venture, a design problem to solve and a potential dribbble post. For example, when we were moving to our new home, I created moving invites to encourage people to come help us out. As opposed to simply slapping something together and shooting it out to people, I took the time to develop a unique design in order to make it memorable (you can see the final product here). The end result became a shot worthy piece (and has created interest in my design skills).
Moral: Don't skimp on personal home projects. Invest in them.
WORKPROJECTS
You can showcase work that you have done in the office. I do strongly suggest though that you check your workplace policy in regards to posting work from your job (to avoid any legal or job issues). If they do, however, allow you to post work from your job, this is a added incentive to add your own spin to a project. In our line of work, it's easy to just want to brush through a project we don't like and get it over with. When you do that, you miss out on a chance to produce something shot worthy. Even if the project is canned, you can still use it as a dribbble piece (see some examples of my work-related designs here and here).
Moral: Make work work for you.
COMMUNITYPROJECTS
Whether its a community band that needs programs and flyers, or a ministy that needs graphics for a banquet, look for opportunities in the groups you are involved in to sharpen your design skills and create some great shots. For example, last year, our church's VBS had a Western / Gold Rush theme to it. I took the opportunity to create Wanted Posters for the team leaders and kids. The project proved to be a success, both to the kids and the adults. This allowed me to come back the following year to produce design work for VBS (see them here, here, and here).
Moral: Look for opportunities in whatever you do.
I hope these can be a good jumping off point for your dribbble projects. Do you have any time-saving ideas or suggestions, I'd love to hear from you. Leave your thoughts in the comment portion of the blog. 'Till next time Bloggees
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