Be the first to write a review
A Design Wiki at Work
This week, after scouring the Web for design wikis, Linda became discouraged and started a wiki for designers.
In the previous article, Linda talked about wiki fundamentals. This week, after scouring the Web for design wikis, she became discouraged and started a wiki for designers. Want to learn more? Read on...
Getting Started with the New Graphic and Web Design Wiki
I'll be the first to admit that the amount of time I have available to work on a wiki is limited. Add the fact that I know nothing about wiki setup, then we all may have a problem on our hands. But, since I'm using this wiki as a way to learn how to use a wiki – dragging you along in the process – this could be your chance to either learn or to help others learn how to use a wiki as well.
When you go to the Graphic and Web Design Wiki, you'll need to register (I'm GraphicGoose, by the way). Then, head to the Sandbox to practice your wiki skills at this site or visit the Help page (both available as tabs at the top of the page).
For more experienced users, feel free to provide a logo or change the CSS style, but please try to collaborate with other users (since I'm the only user at this point, that would mean you might want to collaborate with me).
Finally, no jerks allowed. In other words, this is a sandbox in the purest sense, as it is intended for graphic and Web designers to use as a resource, to tout your business and to "work well" with others. I will remain as sole administrator until this wiki has time to get off the ground. With that said, this wiki also will not be listed in search engines until the pages are "seeded" with information from you.
Other Issues
While I'm learning a lot about how to create a wiki, I'm unsure about how this wiki should grow. I think, perhaps, that this issue is part of the design community at large – or at least the concern of the people who get involved in this effort.
Many times, wikis are created with good intentions, and they quickly die out from lack of attention from both the administrator and the users. While I'm creating this wiki for DMXZone readers who follow my articles, I'm also creating it for the design community at large. As a DMX reader, however, you however, have first dibs at getting involved with the process. Since I could not find a graphic or Web design wiki that encompassed both designers and content, you have a chance to put yourself out there to make yourself known as an authority in graphic or Web design or in any speciality within those topics (think typography, illustration, coding, development, photography, etc.).
This wiki is not a totally altruistic gesture, as I intend to use this wiki both for my professional development as well as a way for you to communicate with me about social media topics you'd like to see here at DMX and about other design issues that only a design community can address.
But, I'm also sticking my neck out, as anyone who starts a community runs the risk that no one will want to become involved or stay involved. I've had that experience before, however, so my skin is thick – if you do not want to become involved with this community effort, I will not take it personally. But, I'll report on this effort down the road to let you know how it progresses. Or not.
Linda Goin
Linda Goin carries an A.A. in graphic design, a B.F.A. in visual communications with a minor in business and marketing and an M.A. in American History with a minor in the Reformation. While the latter degree doesn't seem to fit with the first two educational experiences, Linda used her 25-year design expertise on archaeological digs and in the study of material culture. Now she uses her education and experiences in social media experiments.
Accolades for her work include fifteen first-place Colorado Press Association awards, numerous fine art and graphic design awards, and interviews about content development with The Wall St. Journal, Chicago Tribune, Psychology Today, and L.A. Times.