Is time going too fast or am I going too slow? Link to heading
It’s been two months since I decided to start shaping this personal space and honestly, I feel like I haven’t done anything since then. But it’s looking back and seeing that I’m constantly self-deception. 😅
So what have I been doing all this time?
The website Link to heading
As I mentioned in the first post, I decided to create a website using the Hugo framework, a static website builder. I made this decision after investing time and analysing several alternatives, both free and paid, and I honestly opted for a static website builder for three reasons:
-
I don’t want constant maintenance: A CMS like WordPress is always being updated. For my part, I only want to create posts and/or upload projects with some occasional modifications. I don’t want to be constantly checking whether or not I can update my WordPress and if my template will be compatible.
Also, WordPress is PHP and uses databases, in short, backend. If my website does not use databases, this should translate into a faster loading speed, as well as avoiding possible vulnerabilities.
-
Free hosting: Nowadays there are options like Github Pages or Netlify that allow us to host a website completely free, why not take advantage of them?
Me thinking about which path to choose.
-
Getting out of my comfort zone: I know what my knowledge is and how far I can go with it. Opting for Hugo was a choice that forced me to learn Hugo and Markdown as well as refresh my knowledge of Git and web layout.
I admit that I could have a much more aesthetic and comfortable website using platforms like Wix, Squarespace, Readymag, etc. or opt for ways like “Hosting + WordPress + Template”, but honestly I prefer an option that does not generate me an economic cost.
I started from a free template that little by little I shape it, keeping a simple and minimalist aesthetic.
Personal branding Link to heading
Here comes the dilemma, personal branding has some work to do. Right now I need to set some parameters that I will have to apply on the web and on social media. At the moment my LinkedIn, Twitter, Behance and Instagram look like they belong to different people with the same name in common. I know it’s the wrong thing to do, but it’s not a one-day task and even less so with the pace of life I lead. ✨
Despite not having fixed an identity, I have been experimenting with certain things:
Font Link to heading
In my case, I liked the combination of Eczar Fugaz One + Work Sans. Moreover, these two fonts are licensed Open Font License (OFL) which, in short, will allow me to do whatever I want.
I think it’s better to opt for free fonts for projects that are just starting out: you avoid possible licence infringements and they don’t cost any money, just like hosting. 😂
PS: Honestly, I would definitely use a typeface from Pangram Pangram Foundry but I like to progressively move out of my current position.
I currently wear “free clothes”, later on (if I make it) I will wear “bargain clothes” and end up with “seasonal clothes”. 🛍️
Colour Link to heading
Until not so long ago I used magenta as a “corporate colour”. I started using it because I thought that “the guy who uses pink on his CV” might be more memorable. Error: It didn’t help.
I finally switched to orange. Why? For a change of scenery, I think it was conditioned by using the tangerine emoji when I say I’m from Valencia🍊. I applied it in different ways: in gradient as the background of this web page and in solid to highlight elements (like hyperlinks) and actions (:hover: event).
At the same time, in the images I added a black line thickness with curved corners that I think gave it more personality.
Augmented reality in Spark AR Link to heading
Also in the last few weeks I have started to do things again with Spark AR, this time with a more theoretical base, and the truth is that it is a world I would like to keep learning about.
Honestly, I think Snapchat has more features in the creation of filters than Instagram, but in my case, almost none of my contacts use Snapchat. I find it more interesting to create them on Instagram so that I can practice and have direct feedback from my closest contacts, although there were some not so close:
Papi Gavi’s blessing received.
…and other things. Link to heading
At the same time there have been other things that I can’t put in any of the previous points, for example:
- Updating my profile picture and doing image tests for the different social profiles as well as thinking of a related cover photo (LinkedIn, Twitter…).
- Clean up and optimise LinkedIn information as I’m getting visits with weird search terms.
- Learn a bit of Procreate.
- …and update this blog in English and Spanish.
So task accomplished for today, let’s keep progressing!