4 replies to this topic

[Rob]

Hi all,

Just a matter of how you work here ... do you make a layout Photoshop, or do you just start designing? I've always wondered how everyone goes about this!

Cheers,

Rob

p.s. HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

[hoopdaaron]

All the sites I have designed on my own I have just starting in with an idea in my head. I recently had a site professionaly done for our business, and I was impressed by the designer, he did a complete layout and created a jpg for me to review before he started designing.

I think going forward in my personal sites, I will take the same approach.

hda

[linux_lover]

I use a mixture of paper (yes that stuff made from trees) freehand for layout/interface (quicker than photoshop with its vector shapes) and photoshop for the after effects.

Nowadays I tend to be more template orientated with set page structures etc mainly cos its a lot quicker and skin it with something relevant to the client. Its pretty easy to do that now with CSS and PHP includes

[lyn]

I find myself involved in two different processes.

When I'm doing the site myself, I usually start with a content map written out in Word that defines the navigation, the main content areas and the various features/functions appearing with the various page types. I might do some pen & paper sketching to try some page layouts, then I use Dreamweaver to carve up the page with tables to pour the content into. (Still learning how to use CSS for page layout instead of tables - sorry, CSS fans!) Then I start building the graphic elements with whatever seems appropriate: Paint Shop, Flash, CSS styles, etc.

When I'm at work, the first step is the same but then the content map and nav outline goes to a real graphic designer. He (usually) will develop a couple look&feel layouts for the client to approve. That will include static page images in Photoshop and possibly some sample elements to demonstrate rollovers or dropdowns or animations, etc.

I'd love to get into template-based site developement but I really have no idea where to start!

L.

[Randy]

I tend to go both ways a bit, depending upon the site.

If the site is going to have some fairly involved scripting going on, I usually develop that first, test it on plain jane pages to make sure it works like I want it, then move on to the actual design/layout portion.

For the pure design side of things I usually at least sketch out a general look that I'm going for. At that point, if I'm doing it myself, I'll code it and add in the graphic elements as I go. If I'm working on it with someone else, I'll usually whip up a basic image of what it's supposed to look like so that I can make sure we're all on the same page mentally.