hi all

 

what stages do you go through in designing a website? what software do you use for design? is a flash website a good idea? and is there a good website with tutorials for flash as i have never used it? thanks

 

lawless

There's a thread around here somewhere with everyone discussing this, I think it's called "what do you do first" (but the forum won't let me search for that $@%^)

I'd also highly recommend getting the sitepoint book 'principles of beautiful web design' which covers this whole process really well

ok thanks will do

You can design your layout in photoshop and can give active links in dreamweaver easily.

 

Photoshop is an image editor for creating images, layout and presentation is done with HTML and CSS

Photoshop is an image editor for creating images, layout and presentation is done with HTML and CSS

 

 

 

 

yes i know very well photoshop is an image editing software. and i aslo know that layout and presentation is done with HTML and CSS but if you want to done it you should have a layout and which must be design in photoshop i think. if i am wrong than plz tell me where i can design a layout.

No it can be designed how ever you want, you might work with pen and paper go right into coding it in html and only use a graphics editor (doesn't have to be photoshop) to design the graphic elements (buttons, header...ect). You could design it all in a graphics editor and then code it.

 

 

It is really up to you how you design the site, as long as you code it correctly in the end it is just which way suits you best

First, I'll have a look at a few sites online about the field say it was a hotel I'd look for other hotels and what parts about the site I like and what I don't.

 

I usually make a mock up of a design literally the most basic of blocks with pen and paper and a few annotations.

 

Then I'll go into Photoshop create the page over the course of a few days from here I'll code it in Notepad++ and slice up the image for background's etc.

First, I'll have a look at a few sites online about the field say it was a hotel I'd look for other hotels and what parts about the site I like and what I don't.

 

I usually make a mock up of a design literally the most basic of blocks with pen and paper and a few annotations.

 

Then I'll go into Photoshop create the page over the course of a few days from here I'll code it in Notepad++ and slice up the image for background's etc.

 

I usually design the layout in Photoshop, slice it in photoshop then code via dreamweaver in CSS. That way has worked fine for me.

I usually design the layout in Photoshop, slice it in photoshop then code via dreamweaver in CSS. That way has worked fine for me.[/size]

Yep, pretty much the same technique.

 

At the end of the day the main thing is creativity.

It'd be a strong case of deja vu if I mentioned the role of the good old word processor in the design process wouldn't it!

I personally start basic with the layout, i.e header, left colum, center colum, footer. Set the sizes i want. Then id work on the left colum and put in a nav list, then id divide up the center colum in different ways depending on site and then add pics and content.

 

usually leave the logo to the end.

Maybe not exactly what you wanted but here's the process I use:

 

As I work in small business website design I always talk to the client first - some have already created a brand of some type, certain colours or fonts they have on their van or shop. I use that as the basis for the design I do in Photoshop.

If they don't already have abrand I ask them a few questions about their clients - let's say a Hairdresser - she's gonna want something very modern looking and pretty.

 

Once everyone is happy I slice the PSD and hand-code it using CSE HTML Validator (Lite version cuz its free) then check it with WC3 Validator (online service).

 

I don't use Dreamweaver.

 

I don't use much Flash (if any) cuz it doesn't help the Page rank of the site because God...whooops, I mean 'Google' doesn't like it / can't read it properly.

 

Hope this helps. If you're not into designing yourself try a template, Templatemonster do some nice stuff.

Myself, i prefer to start in photoshop and make my design, i then slice it and build the css (style sheet).

 

Flah does look great, but i depends what your after, google is only nowing starting to relax on indexing flash, so basically if you are after seo, i would use little bits of embeded flash!!! This also makes the site quicker especially when using a slow connection!

 

However if you are not worried about that the go for flash.....

 

Hope that helps a bit!