Design Help
M36Teen
Jul 09, 2004
7:05 PM |
Hey guys, I'm having trouble coming up with new ideas for a website. Well, for that matter, I have trouble coming up with ideas for any site. What do you guys do to get new ideas, or new insperation?
TIA,
Jake |
dave
Jul 09, 2004
11:11 PM |
Hi Jake,
I like to browse the Open Source Web Design webpage. All the designs are "open source" so you can grab them, modify, use, whatever you like. For a non-artist like me, it's an excellent resource from which to get ideas.
Their webpage is [HYPERLINK@www.oswd.org]
best,
:dave |
J_Maxwell
Jul 10, 2004
10:07 AM |
Jake,
Yes, it's hard for me to think of ideas as well. What I try to do (I'm not very good at this), is to throw out 15-20 ideas (don't worry if they look crazy or just plain bad). Then, I pick the best out of each one, and try to combine that into 10-15 combinations. I repeat this process until I come up with something that looks like what you want it to look like. I also go to several websites that I like (design wise), and take concepts from them - just not copying them. Actually, let me back up - first what I do is scratch my head really hard to think up a good color scheme - something that has an appearance of what the website is trying to convey. For example, on Titus2.com, guy's colors, like darker blue and green, wouldn't be appropriate. Once we narrow our color spectrum into something that "looks" like what the website wants to convey, then we can start designing.
Mostly, the biggest thing is to put yourself in someone else's shoes, and try to think what you're trying to convey, and if they would think that is consistent with your goals. Have someone with an artistic eye glance at it for you - or maybe your parents, or some friends, and see if they agree - if not, back to your spot at the computer :). When I sit down and try to design a website, the hardest thing is not to get into a rut of the same look/theme.
Joseph |
M36Teen
Jul 12, 2004
5:29 PM |
Thanks! You both helped a lot. But now I have another question. lol
When I start to get an idea, it seems hard to actually get it down on the computer. Because I'm not an expert when it comes to Fireworks MX (my main graphics editing software), and I usually get distracted trying to figure out how to make something work. But, it is almost just as hard to do on paper, because I can't seem to ever get the sizes right. Any suggestions on this?
Jake |
J_Maxwell
Jul 12, 2004
8:06 PM |
Jake,
That's the biggest problem designers have. I usually envision the "perfect" website, but when I start really working on it, I get distracted, or sidetracked. In essence, nope, I really don't have any ideas - just keep trying new designs. It's not easy, but I expect the "brain-to-hand" part to come easier with experience. I guess the old saying, "Practice makes perfect," is quite applicable.
Joseph |
coderfrommaine
Jul 24, 2004
9:11 PM |
Hi!
I use Fireworks MX as well (although I'd like to purchase Photoshop 7.0 soon). Just keep playing with it, you'll get used to it eventually.
When I'm working on a new site, I like to play around with ideas in fireworks, just trying out concepts and such. After I've messed around with colors, shapes, and layout ideas, I make a new file and call it "design.png". Inside that file (which I make about the size of a browser window) I make a prototype of the site, just like I want it to look when I'm finished. Then when I'm ready to convert it to XHTML and CSS, I use slices to make images for the final site. I've got to go now, but I see if I can post some images from the design of my new site (which isn't up yet) soon.
P.S. Dave, that's a cool site :)
Alex
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coderfrommaine
Jul 26, 2004
10:13 AM |
Here are some pictures:
[HYPERLINK@www.smarthomeschool.com]
This was my first prototype, just playing with colors and such. Only the logo makes it all the way to the final site, however.
[HYPERLINK@www.smarthomeschool.com]
I kept changing it until I got the above, which is where I added the "desk" background and the sticky note concept.
[HYPERLINK@www.smarthomeschool.com]
This is where I'm at now. From looking at some of the experts in web design, I decided that a colorful header and a sidebar would be a good idea. Also, although you can’t really see it in the picture, I decided to center the site in the browser.
All that to say, it takes a lot of time and a lot of playing around to get a design that you really like. Another thing is that it's fine to get inspiration from other sites, especially well made ones, as long as you don't copy them.
Alex |
J_Maxwell
Jul 29, 2004
11:53 AM |
Alex,
Nice design! That's what it takes - a lot of time and thought to do this!
Joseph |
coderfrommaine
Jul 30, 2004
8:33 PM |
Thanks a lot!
The site itself is up now:
[HYPERLINK@www.artiosdesign.com]
Alex |
M36Teen
Aug 23, 2004
11:17 AM |
Dave,
Haha, OK! My latest design attempt is here [HYPERLINK@www.mission36teen.com] This is my new website, I'm still working on the content, but the basic design is finished.
By the way, I started school last week (I'm a high school Junior this year!), and I am going to a technology school too! Anyway, right now we are going through basic HTML, but in a few months, we will be studying for A+ certification!
Alex,
Thanks for the tips! Also, your screen shots look great! But when I went to check out the actual site, it seems kinda messed up. :-( What's up?
Jake |
coderfrommaine
Aug 27, 2004
7:00 AM |
Yep,
I installed movable type (CMS), which I misconfigured, resulting in the zapping of my style sheets. It should be working now, however.
Cool site!
Alex |
M36Teen
Aug 27, 2004
5:47 PM |
Alex,
Ahh, a CMS messed you up huh? For some reason, I can never design a site that will work with a CMS. Mine are always too dynamic or something. lol Anyway, your site looks great!
Thanks!
Jake |
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