DEV Community: Jakub Bobkowski

Studying at the University in the Age of Self-Learning. My Experience as the Design Student

Jakub Bobkowski — Sun, 22 Dec 2024 20:51:17 +0000

For a lot of young people fresh out of high school, going to university feels like the obvious next step. We’re raised to believe that getting a diploma is the ultimate ticket to success, something that’ll give us all the knowledge and skills we need to start an amazing career. But does it actually work that way?

As a top graphic design student at my university (and now a professional web designer), I’ve had plenty of time to think about this. In this article, I’m sharing my honest thoughts on whether university really delivers what it promises and what it’s like to go through it as a design student.

Friends

Let’s kick things off with the good stuff. Honestly, one of the best parts about studying at university is the people. There’s a really good chance you’ll meet like-minded folks and make some solid friendships along the way. And that’s awesome for a bunch of reasons.

For starters, it makes getting through the coursework so much easier when you’ve got a crew to tackle it with. Plus, studying feels way less like a chore when you’re having fun together. And who knows where those connections might lead in the future? Maybe you’ll end up starting an agency or collaborating on something big someday. In my case, I met some truly amazing people, and we’re still friends to this day.

Exposure

This one’s a bit of a mixed bag. During my time at university, I got exposed to a huge range of subjects: drawing, web design, a bit of coding, branding, typography - you name it. On the bright side, this gave me a clear picture of all the skills I could or should master. It’s like opening a buffet of creative disciplines and realizing there’s so much out there to learn.

But here’s the catch: because you’re dipping into so many areas, it’s impossible to dive deep into any of them. You end up scratching the surface of everything without actually mastering anything. The truth is, university alone won’t equip you to work professionally. You’ll still need to put in the time and effort on your own to really level up in the areas that matter for your career.

This is something a lot of my peers didn’t realize. Many assumed that what we were learning at university would be enough to get us market-ready. Spoiler alert: it’s not. Once you step into the real world, you’re not just competing with other fresh grads; you’re up against seasoned professionals with years of experience and killer portfolios. And trust me, that’s no walk in the park.

The Myth of the Degree

One of the most overrated things ever? The degree. Seriously. If you're like me and want to work in the design field, having that diploma doesn’t carry nearly as much weight as people think. Sure, it's nice to have and can give you a sense of accomplishment, but it’s by no means mandatory.

What truly matters are the skills you demonstrate through your portfolio. That’s the real deal. After working on countless client projects, let me tell you: not a single one of them has ever asked me about my academic background. Not once. Clients care about results, not some piece of paper. They’re looking for someone who can solve their problems, deliver on time, and make their vision come to life.

If you don’t have a solid portfolio yet, stop waiting for the "perfect moment" and start building one. Whether it’s a personal project, a small business website, or even a redesign of a popular brand (just for fun), start showcasing your abilities now. You don’t need a degree to prove you can do the work, your portfolio speaks louder than any academic certificate ever could.

So, if you’re unsure whether to go for that degree or skip it and dive straight into real-world experience, I’ll say this: focus on building your skills and portfolio. In the end, that’s what will set you apart.

Business skills

If you're planning to start your own agency or go freelance, business skills are hands down the most important thing you’ll need to master. It’s not enough to just be good at design; you need to know how to make money. Everyone has to learn that part - whether you're freelancing or managing a team.

The frustrating part? No one at university really sat us down to teach us how to actually run a business. It’s shocking how little focus there is on this aspect. You can be the best designer in the world, but if you have no clue how to sell your services, work with clients, find them, market your business, or even manage the paperwork, you're in for a tough ride.

When I first started diving into business and entrepreneurship, it seemed like it would be straightforward. But as I dug deeper, I realized just how complex and demanding it truly is. From negotiating contracts to managing finances, there’s a whole world of knowledge that no one warns you about. And, even though you might feel prepared because you've watched a few YouTube videos or read a blog post or two, you'll quickly discover that there are many challenges you didn't anticipate and you’ll have to learn how to deal with them on the fly.

So, don’t underestimate the importance of these business skills. They’re just as crucial to your success as your creative talent. And the sooner you start learning them, the better prepared you’ll be to navigate the real world of design and freelancing.

The Elephant in the Room - Design Skills

As I’ve mentioned before, throughout your time at university, you’ll be exposed to a wide range of subjects within design, but most of them will only be surface-level introductions. You won’t dive deep into any one area unless you make it a priority. The first step is to figure out what you truly want to do in your career. Once you have that clarity, focus on the skills that are most relevant to that specific field.

In my case, it’s web design, mobile design, typography, photo editing, and a bit of coding. Sure, drawing and packaging design can be useful in certain contexts, but right now, it’s not my priority. The goal is to focus on the core skills that will help you excel in your chosen area.

Once you have that focus, it’s time to double or even triple down on those skills. University assignments alone won’t cut it in the real world. To truly stand out and be competitive in the job market, you need to put in a lot of extra effort outside of class. Whether you plan to start your own business or land a 9-5 job, you need to be good at what you do and your university work will only get you so far.

Let’s be honest: If you’re relying on your university portfolio alone to get a job, you're in trouble. Unless you’re some kind of prodigy (in which case, you’re probably not reading this), just ticking off university assignments won’t prepare you for the actual demands of the design industry. So, take the time to build and refine your skills, beyond what you learn in the classroom. The extra work you put in now will pay off big in the future.

Yes, but it's highly unlikely. The reality is that university and the job market are like two completely different worlds. Universities are often stuck in a traditional framework, which doesn’t necessarily reflect the ever-evolving demands of the modern workplace.

The job market is not going to change to accommodate universities. In fact, it’s quite the opposite - the work market is always shifting, and industries evolve faster than universities can adapt. While some institutions are starting to catch up, the vast majority still operate with outdated curricula that don’t fully prepare students for the challenges they'll face in the real world.

It would be great if universities could tailor their programs to match the exact needs of the job market, but the truth is that this doesn't happen as often as it should. Many programs still focus on theory or outdated practices, leaving students to figure out the practical application on their own once they graduate. The result? Graduates often enter the workforce feeling underprepared and overwhelmed.

So, while university can provide foundational knowledge, it's highly unlikely to be the complete solution. If you're serious about building a career, you’ll need to go beyond the classroom and adapt to the real-world requirements yourself. Universities might give you the tools, but it’s up to you to make them work in your industry.

Should You Study Design at University?

Not really. If your main goal is to meet like-minded people, then sure, university might be a good choice. But if you’re looking to gain knowledge and jump-start your career as a graphic designer, then probably not.I spent three years studying at university, and honestly, I could have learned everything truly useful there in just three months or so of focused work. That would have left me with over two years to dive deeper into my craft, refine my skills, and start my career sooner.

That said, I don’t regret my time at university. I met some incredible people and made great memories, which I truly value. But it’s definitely something to consider before you commit. In the end, it’s your decision whether it’s worth it.

This article reflects my personal experience as one of the top students, and now as a business owner in the industry. If you have any questions or want to share your thoughts, feel free to comment below or reach out to me through any of my social platforms.

Thanks for reading, and see you next time! 😊

Website Navigation: How to Get The Best Out of Navbars

Jakub Bobkowski — Sat, 14 Dec 2024 17:14:05 +0000

The navbar is an essential part of every website. It’s so obvious and simple, yet it has the power to make or break your site. You’d be surprised at how much thought can go into designing one. In this article, I’ll share a few tips and tricks to help you get the most out of your website’s navigation.

Why even bother?

It’s tempting to throw together a generic navbar and call it a day. But don’t. Think for a second: about 95% of website visitors immediately look for the navbar. If it’s important to them, it should be important to you too.

Visitors don’t browse websites for fun, they’re looking for something. That’s where the navbar shines. It’s the simplest and most direct form of navigation. If your website were a seaport, the navbar would be its lighthouse. And just like a malfunctioning lighthouse causes shipwrecks, a poorly designed navbar can ruin the user experience.

Of course, navigation isn’t the only function of a navbar. It’s also used to:

Change the website’s language
Place call-to-action (CTA) buttons
Search for articles
Sign in or sign up
Feature products
And much more

Clearly, navbars deserve your attention. So, how can you make them better? Here are six simple tips and tricks. Enjoy!

1. Simplicity is the key

Simplicity is effective. The primary purpose of a navbar is to help users navigate. Overcomplicating it defeats that purpose. Limit the number of links and remove unnecessary clutter.

Not every page or feature needs to be listed in the navbar. Think like your visitors, what are they likely looking for? Focus on including only the most relevant links.

2. Make it Visible

If users can’t see the navbar, it might as well not exist. As mentioned earlier, nearly every website visitor looks for a navbar. If it’s hard to find, they’ll get frustrated and might even leave your site.

Avoid trying to “reinvent the wheel.” It’s great to innovate, but remember: you’re designing for visitors, not for design’s sake. Ensure your navbar is easy to spot, and use contrast to make it stand out. Contrast is your best friend.

3. Use Proper Spacing

A cramped navbar is a bad navbar. Spacing is critical, both within the navbar and in relation to the rest of the page. Think of it this way: just as people dislike being stuck in a tight space, your navbar needs breathing room too. Give it some space to breath.

4. A Single Button, or None

I’m not a big fan of putting buttons in navbars, but they can be useful in some cases. If you decide to use one, stick to just one and make it the most important one.

A cluttered navbar with two buttons, a company logo, six links, and a few random icons is a usability nightmare. Keep it clean and focused.

5. Link Order and SEO

The order of your links matters a lot. Studies show that users tend to notice the first and last items in a menu the most. This is why many websites start with a “Services” or “Shop” page and end with a call-to-action like “Contact” or “Checkout.”

For single-page websites, match the link order to your sections: start with the top section and list them sequentially. For multipage websites, prioritize by importance. For instance, the most critical link—like “Services”—should go first.

Also, don’t forget about SEO. Incorporating relevant keywords into your links can boost your website’s search engine ranking. If you can make your links SEO-friendly, do it!

6. Optimize for Mobile

Nearly 75% of visitors access websites from mobile devices. Your navbar - and your entire website must be mobile-friendly.

Ensure the mobile version of your navbar is easy to use and optimized for smaller screens. Test it thoroughly and make adjustments as needed.

Wrapping It Up

Navbars are a vital part of website navigation, but there’s so much more to explore. I haven’t even touched on the different types, styles, or the variety of content you can include. I’ll dive deeper into those topics in a future article.

For now, I hope these tips help you improve your website’s navigation. If you have other suggestions or tricks for creating better navbars, feel free to share them in the comments.

Thanks for reading, and have a fantastic day!

Mastering the Web Solo: A Guide to Becoming a Self-Taught Webmaster Without Losing Your Mind

Jakub Bobkowski — Fri, 13 Dec 2024 13:23:42 +0000

Learning Has Never Been Easier, Or Has It?

You just type something into YouTube or an AI app, and voilà! Instant expertise, right? Not quite. Self-teaching is incredibly rewarding, but it’s also a skill in itself. Without the right approach, you could waste countless hours and still struggle to see results. In this article, I’ll share the simplest and most effective way to become a self-taught professional, drawing from my journey as a self-taught web designer and developer. Ready to level up? Let’s dive in!

Embrace the FOMO

We all want something. For me, it was becoming a freelance web designer and developer - and I wanted it fast. Sounds straightforward, right? But when you look closely, it requires a wide range of skills to make it happen. That’s why it’s crucial to focus only on what has the biggest impact. If you’ve heard of the 80/20 rule, this is where it comes into play. In a world overflowing with educational materials, it’s easy to get lost. But here’s the good news: You don’t need to know everything. There are plenty of things I don’t know about web design and development, but that hasn’t stopped me from earning money or being a professional. I know what I need to know.

Focus on the skills that matter most to your goals. For me, that includes designing website layouts, writing some copy, and assembling it all using no-code tools like Webflow or Framer, since I’m primarily a designer. Do I know any frameworks? Nope. Does PHP intimidate me? Absolutely. Am I interested in motion graphics? Not really. Would it be cool to master all of these? Sure, but it’s not essential right now.

Time is limited, so focus on what truly matters and leave the rest for later.

How Do I Know What Matters?

The key to effective learning is to make everything project-based. Forget boring theory, random YouTube tutorials, and chasing “cool” features. Instead, give yourself a clear, manageable task. Keep it simple enough that you’re not spending three months on it. Remember: better done than perfect.

For example, start with a small project like designing a landing page. To design and then develop, you’ll need to know the basics: how to layout a page, use proper fonts and imagery, and understand website components like navbars and footers. Writing good copy is also important, but you can use an AI tool like ChatGPT to help you create something decent. Don’t aim for perfection—your early work will be rough, and that’s okay. The goal is to learn and improve.

Once your design looks fine, it’s time to build the website. If you’re like me and don’t know how to code, using a no-code tool like Webflow or Framer is a great option. Again, focus on learning just enough to complete your project - you don’t need to master the entire tool right away. As you work through the project, you’ll quickly uncover gaps in your knowledge. When you hit a roadblock, look up the answer (YouTube is your friend!) and apply it directly to your work. This approach transforms theory into practical experience, which is far more effective than passively watching tutorials. By tackling real projects, you’ll learn exactly what you need to keep moving forward. That’s why project-based learning is so powerful: it’s targeted, practical, and engaging. And when you finish one project, you’ll be ready to tackle the next - and keep building your skills.

Focus on Growth

It’s easy to fall into the trap of comparing yourself to seasoned designers and developers. Their portfolios look amazing, their skills seem light-years ahead, and it might feel like you’ll never catch up. But here’s the truth: they were once where you are now. Instead of comparing yourself to others, focus on your own progress. Growth is personal, and it’s all about being better than you were yesterday. Take a look at your past projects. If you cringe at what you’ve done before, that’s a good sign! It means you’ve improved, and your skills are evolving.

Yes, there will always be people who are years ahead of you. But who cares? Your journey is your own, and comparing yourself to others won’t help you move forward. What matters is consistency. Every project you complete, every new skill you learn, and every mistake you correct adds up over time. Growth isn’t always dramatic or immediate, it’s a slow and steady process. But as long as you keep at it, you’ll eventually see just how far you’ve come. That’s the magic of persistence. So, don’t stress about being the best or catching up with the pros. Focus on your growth, and trust the process. The only person you need to compete with is who you were yesterday.

When Will I Be “Ready”?

The honest answer? You’ll never feel 100% ready and that’s okay. There will always be more to learn, another tool to master, or a new skill to acquire. But waiting until you feel “ready” can hold you back indefinitely. Here’s the truth: if you can design a decent-looking website and build it using the tools you know, you’re ready to start looking for your first client. You don’t need to create groundbreaking designs or use the most cutting-edge technologies. When you’re just starting out, your clients are likely to be people in your immediate network: an uncle, a neighbor, the local carpenter, or a small business in your community. These businesses don’t need flashy features or overly complex designs. Most of them just want a simple, functional website with a contact form, a gallery, or basic information about their services. And that’s fantastic. Why? Because these kinds of projects are the perfect way to gain confidence, build your portfolio, and get real-world experience without overwhelming yourself.

The beauty of working with small clients is that you’re learning by doing. Every project, no matter how simple, will teach you valuable lessons about design, development, client communication, and managing expectations. These experiences will lay the foundation for your growth as a professional. So, don’t wait for some mythical moment when you feel “ready.” Start small, embrace imperfection, and focus on taking the first step. Your skills will grow with each project, and before you know it, you’ll be tackling bigger and more challenging opportunities.

Tip: Don’t delete your terrible projects. Seriously, keep them. They’ll serve as a reminder of how far you’ve come. One day, you’ll look back and laugh at how bad you were. More importantly, you’ll realize how much you’ve improved since then.

Hope you find it at least somewhat interesting. Please let me know what you think and feel free to connect :)

“How I Found My First Web Design Client (and Lessons Learned)”

Jakub Bobkowski — Tue, 03 Dec 2024 19:06:27 +0000

I absolutely hate cold calling.

It makes you feel like one of those scammy salespeople. Business owners are often irritated that you’re distracting them from work, and you only have about 30 seconds to prevent them from hanging up. Yet, that’s exactly how I got my first client.

My first few cold calls went nowhere. I was scared and couldn’t convince anyone to let me work on a project for them. I started searching on Google and Facebook for business owners in my hometown who didn’t have a website. That’s when I found a carpenter whose wooden signboards I really liked. I decided to design a website for him in Figma without expecting anything in return. It wasn’t anything fancy, just a one-pageer, but I put in my best effort to make it look professional. Then came the scary part: making the cold call.

I had been watching a lot of sales content on YouTube, so I had a basic idea of how a cold call should work and how to structure it. Even so, I was terrified for no real reason. Finally, I mustered the courage and made the call.

The first step was to introduce myself, just my name, and explain how I found him on Facebook and why I admired his work (which was true). I believe it’s important to use proper manners when talking to someone who has no idea who you are or what you want. To my surprise, he sounded like a nice guy. I told him I had been following him on Facebook for a while, noticed he didn’t have a website, and decided to design one for him. This approach worked because it showed that I had already done something valuable for him, completely free of charge, and he could check it out in his spare time. He said, “Yeah, sure, show me what you’ve designed!” The next day, I received another message from him, and we started working together. I had never been so excited before.

There were a couple of things to tweak, and he also wanted to discuss a few details in person. Since we lived in the same city, I offered to visit his workshop. That meeting turned out to be one of the coolest encounters of my life. For the first time, I had the opportunity to have a face-to-face conversation with my own client. As it turned out, he was a genuinely great guy. He gave me a tour of his workshop and showed me all those impressive wood-cutting machines he used. It was an eye-opening experience.

Remember when I mentioned how scared I was to make that cold call? Looking back, it feels so stupid and irrational. Until that point, I hadn’t really understood that business owners are just regular people, trying to get their work done. I believe you shouldn’t be overly “professional,” especially when working with small business owners. It’s much better to approach them as a real person rather than sounding like a script-reading machine. I get a lot of those poorly scripted sales calls myself, and my response is always an instant “NO”.

One of the most important lessons I learned from my first clients is the value of frequent updates. It’s better to keep your clients informed about your progress regularly rather than waiting until everything is pixel-perfect. Clients want to see results and know you’re actively working on their project. They don’t know you yet and have certain expectations, so consistent communication helps build trust.

Another valuable lesson is the power of overdelivering. What might seem trivial to you, like spending 15 minutes creating a cool interaction, can feel extraordinary to your client. They don’t know how much time or effort it took, but they’ll appreciate the extra value. Doing something beyond their expectations not only impresses them but also shows you genuinely care about their project and aren’t just in it for the money.

If you want to truly stand out, consider doing something unique and detailed.** For example, I create a copy of the website design with reduced opacity and annotate it with red arrows and notes explaining every design decision.** Why does this header use this wording? Why is this section necessary? What purpose does this element serve? I make it clear that there are no coincidences in my designs — everything has a purpose. Will the client actually read through all of it? Maybe, maybe not. But the effort demonstrates how much thought I’ve put into the project. And when people pay for something, they want to feel confident that they’re getting real value.

That kind of approach helped me land my very first client. It’s definitely easier to build trust and increase your chances of success when you’re not empty-handed. It also feels less like a scam, especially if you’re new to making sales calls.

However, there’s a significant downside: there’s no guarantee it will work. You could potentially, and quite likely, spend a lot of time on a project that the person might not even look at. Time equals money, so it’s important to weigh the risks before investing your effort.

Thanks for the read and see you next time!

Bonus point! Once the project is complete, ask your client if they know anyone who might need your help. It doesn’t cost anything, and may get you a new client :)

The ultimate design tool - Paper (and markers)

Jakub Bobkowski — Tue, 05 Nov 2024 17:12:14 +0000

Hi everyone!

My name's Jakub and this is my very post here 🫡

I'm a freelance web designer and wanted to share my thoughts with you. We all use so many different tools but often times the simplest ones are actually the best. And yes it is about just the regular paper 📝😅

Here goes the list of my 5 reasons why I love using it in my daily work:

1. It's fast and spontaneous 🚀

Paper allows for immediate sketching without the need to worry about file management. All those juicy ideas flow quickly from mind to hand. Especially in the initial phases of the design process we often sketch multiple ideas in a very short amount of time. Using (almost) any kind of software requires you to think in terms of it and it's requirements.

2. Low-Fidelity => Big Picture 🖼️

Sketching on paper helps keep ideas simple and rough. It's really hard to overcomplicate things. There's also no pressure to perfect the look so it's a lot easier to focus on the core ideas and concepts without wasting time on details. At the early stages of design there's no need to focus on aestethics, it's all about the Big Picture.

3. Things go wrong? Tear that paper and move on!!! 😡

Sometimes we all get stuck. It sucks. When I get frustrated that things don't go as smoothly as I wished, I can always tear that piece of paper and throw it across my room to the nearest thrash. It makes my work a bit more fun and I get to practice my basketball skills 🏀 2x Win

4. Accessible and Convenient Anytime, Anywhere 🤗

Paper is universally accessible. There's no battery so it want let you down in the time of need. Markers and pens are super light so you can always carry at least 2 (You never know...). Also it doesn't require any stupid updates and there're no popups.

5. Handwritting and sketches are good for your brain!🧠

There're studies that suggest handwriting notes and sketches helps with memory retention and improves cognitive processing. For designers, this could mean stronger conceptual understanding and retention of ideas as they create. Writing and sketching ideas on paper also help designers digest and clarify their thoughts, which can lead to better design choices down the line.

Using paper in the initial stages of design is not about being traditional or “old-school”; it’s about using a powerful tool that allows for quick ideation. In a world dominated by digital tools, paper offers a refreshingly simple, intuitive way to think and create. And it's actually quite fun 😛

If you liked this brief article please let me know!
See ya!