Where do you get your design ideas?
Saturday October 25, 2008
Web designers too often get all their ideas from other Web designers. I mean think about it, how many times did you see the rainbow horizontal rule line when Web pages first came out? Or now, the ever popular rounded corners on boxes? But while it would be nice to have a box of design ideas that come from everywhere, the Web is what we build and what we do, and sometimes it's nice to just see some ideas of how other people have built their Web sites.
To help you, I have created the Web Design Design Gallery. This is a gallery of Web design ideas by other Web designers. I have listed what editor was used to create the design, whether it uses CSS or tables, and any other comments the designer wanted us to know. If you're looking for some ideas for your next Web site, the gallery might help.
Comments
inspiring? not to me. Why are so many designers allowing themselves to be restricted by the paper media layouts we see every day in magazines and news papers.
Secondly, advocating the use of Tables for layout is a huge W3C no-no. Both the US and the UK have stringent laws on accessibility - ok these are hardly ever enforced but by no means should they be forgotten. Check out your own site using the RampWeb 508 tool bar.
The business that your are designing for should determine the way a site should look. Mauro is right in saying that we restrict ourselves in designing a site as if it is on paper. We have to think ‘Outside the box’. We are limited only by our abilities and a flat screen.
I wouldn’t really say getting ideas from them. Getting inspired by them would probably be the best way to describe it.
When I started Learning FLASH web design
I usually have clients review other websites with similar products/services to get ideas for what to include in a website.
Design ideas come from many places, most often the client’s logo (most will have one) will reflect a design - see www.chestnutoakgypsydrums.com. This site began with the logo created by a local signmaker. Often after meeting with clients, ideas come up from the conversation and vision of the client. You learn a lot when you sit in someone’s home or office and chat about their website. I always ask clients if they have a color preference.
Sometimes, unused comps from other websites end up in the next project if the client likes them.
I created a CMS only online gallery for inspiration. Many people still doubt the design capabilities of CMS platforms, at Best CMS Websites we show that Content Management and good design can be a perfect fit!
As most designers do get inspired by someone else work, I strongly believe that each creative individual should add a single touch to every design so you make your web and graphic designs original!
Atlanta Web Design