Janice Law a Web Design alumni from Sheridan College enlightens us with her story.



This week’s quest speaker Janice Law is a Senior Visual Designer at TD bank. What I find most interesting about Janice is that she graduated from Sheridan’s Web Design Program in 2013. It was amazing listening to a fellow alumni tell her story and give her insights into what to expect for the next 8 months. She gave us advice on how to prepare for the challenges we have ahead of us and how to set ourselves up for success.

With a Bachelor of Design from OCAD and having worked in print for 3 years she decided she wanted to learn about web design. She enrolled in Sheridan’s Web Design Program and never looked back. After graduating she worked for Sapient, Tribal and is currently working at TD Bank. Some of the brands she worked on are Adidas, General Mills, Porter Air and Loblaws. She has gained a lot of experience and knowledge, which she shares with us today.

She describes the role of the designer in relationship with the:

• UX/Information Architecture (IA)
• Developer
• Art Director/Creative Director
• Accounts Team
• Project Manager
• Producer
• Copy Writer
• Quality Assurance (QA)
  
The Design Process:
  
1. Brief/Requirement Gathering
2. Brainstorm/Research
3. Branding
4. Site Structural/Wireframes
5. Sketch/Design Mock-ups
6. Revisions/Production
7. Development
8. QA Testing & Launch

Janice is successfully employed in her field of study and enjoys the many aspects of her job. No doubt the Web Design program offered at Sheridan College was a big contributor. She talks about the time she spent here as an incredible learning experience. “A lot of work that can be overwhelming at times, but to stick with it - there is a light at the end of the tunnel”. She strongly recommends that we rely on each other for support and remember to ask the teachers for help. Be nice to each other, don’t burn bridges and have fun. “This is your family for the next 8 months!”

She concludes her talk with tips for self-branding and job hunting. She reminds us to stay current with our portfolio and software programs. Above all she says, “Be passionate about what you choose to do”.

It was great having Janice talk. She was inspiring and insightful. I learned valuable information about the role of the Designer and the Design Process. I also gained a better understanding of what to expect from the program and how to set myself up for success. Thank you Janice for sharing your story.


Here are some helpful resources recommended by Janice:

nounproject.com
subtlepatterns.com
colorhunt.com
thefwa.com
dribbble.com
tympanus.net/codrops
lovelyui.com
usepanda.com
brandcolors.net
  
Skala Preview (app)/Adobe Design Preview

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