seomoz.org — Web design can be incredibly frustrating. You'd think that with all the infinite possibilities of what-goes-where it'd be pretty easy to land a design that works, yet somehow we've all been there: stuck working on a design that refuses to look right. These 8 tactics are what I use to get out of that sticky spot.
Feb 7, 2007 View in Crawl 4
Closed AccountFeb 7, 2007
exactly. everyone thinks that they can be a designer just by downloading photoshop and looking at css sites all day. listen. you wouldnt let someone who isnt a carpenter build your house would you? leave the designing to us please. you can teach fundamentals of art but you cant teach how to be an artist.
dclowd9901Feb 7, 2007
"I know it's frustrating that everybody and their brother with a copy of FrontPage thinks they're a web designer, but grow up and act a bit more professional."Okay, that's enough. I wasn't chastizing anyone for utilizing this website, and I certainly am not an "elite designer." I, like many "professional designers," work for a small company with little to no supporting cast of co-workers, and even less support from the management. I was trying to point out that, in the real world of design, the boring, "shove out product as fast as the boss can throw it at you"-world, you don't necessarily have time to tinker around with cute buttons or to "go looking for inspiration." I know no one asked for it, but here's my advice for the real-world designer, not people with a little extra freetime: 1) Start with the most important aspect of the page. Does the client want their logo seen first? Their copy? Their favorite color? It doesn't matter what it is: start with that element and work from there. Your ideas will grow from it.2) Prioritize. You're an artist, yeah. But 95% of the work you do has no room for art. People are trying to convey a message. Think of yourself as the ambassador of the company/client you're doing work for. It's up to you to make sure the company's/client's message is well-seen and well-understood. That's it.3) If you're stuck, find something that you can associate with the client/company, and use it as a centerpiece. It can be as abstract as listening to tropical music while designing an ad/webpage for a Hawaiian restaurant, or as straight forward as asking what the client's favorite color is. If you get stuck, always go back to the basics. Always. They will guide you.I expressed disinterest in this article because I felt like it didn't answer the design issues I run into. I certainly wasn't trying to "stick it to the little guy," or "keep them out of the industry." I'm just saying that maybe they should seek better advice.
Closed AccountFeb 8, 2007
i just want to settle one point here for clarity, design should = art.if you're not putting art into your designs ....they must really be lacking. if the design isn't incorporating art, all you have created is functional but boring and uninspiring crap. wheres the gradient css zengarden button in photoshop?
3dprof4onlineFeb 13, 2007
Hi people! What are your opinions about implementing 3D into online store web sites? Could 3D improve product presentation in an online-store? What online product view presentation is better to choose - 2D, Flash or 3D?3DProf4online from TouchBubble.com
theadvinciJul 2, 2008
Great tips. I use most of them from time to time when I get stuck designing a website.