Web Designer's Advice Needed..

[happy max]

Im a first year university student and being introduced to web design (html 5 and css 3).

I've offered to do a local artist's website but never been taught how to handle a project on the professional side. For example the stages in which you take to arrive at the final project, layout then graphics, graphics then layout. I'd really appreciate any advice people may have? :) thanks

[Mosaic]

You need to make a log and complete it with youor client present at each meeting. Give the client a copy as you go along. The log needs to contain the original brief and contract between you and the client - simply a letter summarusing what you will do, signed by both you and client and dated - and the date of each meeting, what was agreed, timescale and next meeting date or how client will be informed of update progress if not actually meeting. That way you have a record of what you have agreed to do, and what the client wanted to do. They are very good at forgetting what they told you and swearing blind you were given key info - so keeping a record keeps both sides from getting annoyed. It's also important to clarify if you are being paid to do one amount of work, but the client wants more than this - typically moving from a static html page to interactive pages and online purchasing pages. If you have arecord of what was agreed for the original price then you can demonstrate where the original brief is being exceeded and that it will cost X amount extra - and proceed when client agrees to pay this.

[scotman]

You state that you have 'offered' to do this. Are you being paid for this work?
If you are then you need to adopt a professional attitude to dealing with the client as well as doing the work.
As Mosaic says you need to keep good records of meetings etc and ensure that both parties understand what is being offered and how much it will cost.
Clients are very good at moving the goalposts and claiming lack of knowledge at a later date.

[MarkRae]

Firstly, take a step back here. You say you are "being introduced" to web design. In your honest estimation, do you have any idea whatsoever of the skills that you will need to build a professional website? What do you actually know about hypertext markup language and cascading style sheets? What software are you going to use? How are you going to handle cross-browser and cross-platform support? What DOCTYPE are you going to design for?

In addition to the above, I would suggest you get a copy of this: http://www.amazon.co....qid=1305545617&sr=8-1

[Mosaic]

Hey Mark, s/he's gotta start somewhere...did you mean to 'sound' sniffy or is it just my reading of your post?
For all we know, the client is a friend of the OP.....doesn't sound like a megabuck contract, but someone branching out and having a go.
Good luck Happy Max - just be careful how you go so nobody ends up narky at each other.

[happy max]

thanks alot for the feedback, definitely the information i needed. as for the website, i'll be coding everything by hand using textedit / notepad with the html 5 doctype. then using dreamweaver to put files to the internet. i've never really thought about cross-browser issues. what's the best way to go about that?

here's a test website I made during a series of classes. http://numyspace.co.u...96/example/index.html