Constance Lippert, Freelance Web Designer, Ann Arbor, Michigan

Doing your own website is a very tough job. There's nobody that knows that better than myself since this is the 3rd version of Twolipps.com that I've tried to do myself.

This time I decided that I really needed a  website, using the software I'm most comfortable working with these days. So, here I am, with my new site, trying to come up with interesting topics and helpful hints to populate it with.

The toughest part though, is the design work. I've found that most people know the basic textual content, but find it very trying to create "that look". The problem is it's personal. Graphic Design Inspiration for my clients comes much easier than it does for my own site. I've found that this is true for clients also since frustrated self-design afficiondo's are a big part of my business in Design work.

The first time I tried it for my own site, it took me literally weeks and weeks to come up with a design I was happy with. Nothing worked for me. The second time, it was the same thing. I ended up asking a number of independents to help me out by critiqueing, etc.

Now this time, for my graphic design, I actually started this last summer, scrapped the first design, went through 5 interations for the next design, went back to the first, ended with the 5th all along with the advice and help from my design critics..."which do you like better? Design 1? 2? 3?", etc!

So here it is...for better or for worse. And for my clients: an impartial mindset is clearly the best direction for your custom design.