BenGoodman

lil form i whipped up

On the one hand "minimal, slick, corporate and sterile" design can be personal. It's difficult but possible.
On other hand designer can show his unlimited creative talents and immense technical skills just in his works published in his portfolio.

I think you should make it look professional but add a hint of your personality too it, or just do what I do and go straight for how I want it! lol

It looks like you are worrying too much about style at this point instead of the layout. For right now, work only in wireframes (start with rough sketches with pencil and paper) to get a good solid layout and then once you get that, then go to photoshop for the details.

Thanks very much Ben,much appreciated, that works fine
Also thanks for your input Web.

Front end first, then backend should be a breeze. Since it's only you developing it, the backend can quite crudely be phpmyadmin for a while - especially since it'll be a fairly basic system.
 
You need to fully understand; the use of PHP includes/core files, the concepts of classes (and when to use functions over class methods), inheritance/polymorphism/abstraction, good database design to ensure your database is normalised.
 
If you've got the above, jump in. I'll get you started:
 

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I'm sure it's been said before, but have a look at the numerous web design tutorials out there, they'll help a lot

Looks good, don't give up on the theme, definitely unique.
 
I wouldn't spend too much time implementing HTML5 features, its a theme meant for a broad audience with different browsers. By all means use the HTML5 doctype and advertise as HTML5 valid though.

Great thanks so much, learn something new everyday!

1. HTML & CSS is a must - be it really is a game of patience, there's nothing technical about it really, I was coding it at 14 years of age.
2. To go with the above, a decent graphic design skill set is required. I mean really decent.
3. jQuery, almost a must these days. People want fancy effects, and we don't want them falling for Flash anymore.
4. The most important step in this list; learning to theme a chosen CMS. I suggest Wordpress, or Drupal. No-one wants static sites anymore. 1-3 are almost pointless if you cannot do this.
 
That's it for 'designers'. I know very few true designers who simply design a mockup and pass it on - especially if you're working as a freelancer. If you want to go further...
 
5. PHP would be your next step, but make sure you 'learn it right'. Start with OOP in a general sense, then look at the PHP syntax.
6. MySQL databases / SQL syntax is likely to be your final step. Very simple, so long as you've tackled PHP in decent depth.

When creating a logo design, it’s good practice to use a vector-based application to construct it so that you’ll have a flexible logo design that can be used in numerous print and web-based mediums. Adobe Illustrator is the industry standard when it comes to creating vector-based logo designs.
 
 
 
 
Graphic Design Company Toronto

Wow, no offence but that's disgusting!

I think it's the worst website I've ever been on. Makes me instantly want to leave. Try making it more welcoming.

It looks sharp and bold. Good job!

Great article Rob. Should be a sticky topic on this forum too!

I don't like it mate... probably serves some sort of purpose but I'm not really sure as there was nothing on the site grabbing me. The website is built in tables and divs which is amazingly bad so this should be changed asap, your using styles in the head as well as linking an external stylesheet... explain why?
 
It lacks any type of good structure, I just cant imagine myself using it because it's not welcoming at all.
 
Maybe it's a got something great going for it... but at this point I can't see past the bad code and terrible design. I don't understand why you put effort into a site with a design like this. Maybe this would of been good many years ago but this is 2011 and the possibilities with websites now is mind blowing... maybe get up to speed with them and make the most of the beauty that is on offer for you.

This may be useful SmashingMagazine
 
also 10 tips designing mobile sites

is this a riddle?

Commenting on .tpl files is done {*like so*}