Web Design Inspiration

[iUnknown]

Hello,

After NEW-START's post in another thread, and seeing as designing layouts is something that I'm not great at... I'm wondering if good web designers (I have to say, there are some fantastic web designers on this forum!) could share some of the their tips and tell us all (especially me) how they create ideas for layouts, how they tend to set them out and any tips for creating/inspiring them.

Thanks :)

[Plux]

http://www.habboxforum.com/showthread.php?p=4918442#post4918442

Read that thread, someones asked the same sort of question there. :)

[NEW-START]

I look through magazines (sometimes newspapers), photographs and listen to music. You can also get fantastic inspiration from TV/Games. I don't at all like looking through CSS Galleries for inspiration because those websites are already out there and obviously distinguished. There is no point at all copying a technique from those websites as it wont look as good. Design something original and unique, not a copy of a website that has been awarded due to it's design.

Go to as much artistic stuff as possible. Hop along to an art gallery or whatever, they can give you good ideas. I've even had an idea just because I was eating Chicago Town Deep Pan Pizza :P.

Good luck! If you need help getting to know how to design, tap me a line to my PM inbox and I'll send you my email to talk on MSN.

[Excellent]

Really inspiration is key for me. If I'm not inspired by something ideas don't pop up. I recommend going around a good few sites you like, look at the colours, fonts used etc. Then draw out your design on paper before you design it on the computer (you will find this works wonders)

[NEW-START]

Really inspiration is key for me. If I'm not inspired by something ideas don't pop up. I recommend going around a good few sites you like, look at the colours, fonts used etc. Then draw out your design on paper before you design it on the computer (you will find this works wonders)

I hate drawing designs on paper, because when I design in photoshop, I learn new techniques I've never before discovered.

No real point sketching ideas unless you fully know what you're going for.

[iUnknown]

http://www.habboxforum.com/showthread.php?p=4918442#post4918442

Read that thread, someones asked the same sort of question there. :)

That's asking where you learnt, not what inspires you for web design in particular.

Also, as well as what inspires you for it and how you plan and carry out designing a layout, what software do you use? :P

[NEW-START]

That's asking where you learnt, not what inspires you for web design in particular.

Also, as well as what inspires you for it and how you plan and carry out designing a layout, what software do you use? :P

Photoshop, but if it's for pixel art, I usually use Fireworks.

[Excellent]

Photoshop - probably the only program you'll ever need for designing. Gimp is great for creating fast and easy gradients tho.

[iUnknown]

Apparantly there are tons of different versions of photoshop... which do you use?

[NEW-START]

CS2/CS3 are the best.

[Excellent1]

Apparantly there are tons of different versions of photoshop... which do you use?CS3 :)

[Source]

Also google some web2.0 showcases / css showcases to get some idea's. They often have really nice high standard sites listed.

[redtom]

I google the theme I'm looking for and look through the top 10 sites there but its not very good on certain themes, I also look through deviantart, clan templates, template monster and some CSS showcases.

But I don't really design as much as I used to so don't really go looking for inspiration, most of the time it's just something thats poped into my head while doing something else.

[Mr.Sam]

This website has links to 16 websites full of layouts to take inspiration from :)

http://sixrevisions.com/web_design/16_sites_web_design_inspiratio/

[Roosteria]

I like to browse Deviantart and Zymic for inspiration, they have some nice designs!

Also looking in magazines i.e Web Designer, or browsing portfolios of other designers, see how they do things.

[Klydo]

I sketch all the time, even when it's just to get my idea across to someone. Normally when you starting just drawing a basic idea on paper it ends up inspiring you design wise.

For example if you were trying to explain how a feature would work or how something would be laid out you may jot down a quick representation of what is in your head. Then whoever if with you can add to the drawing and that will spark off the bomb that is your brain and you'll soon notice how quickly ideas come to you.

Try it, even if it's just a 5 minute thing for a logo or something when you're falling asleep. Just doodling does wonders.

[iUnknown]

This website has links to 16 websites full of layouts to take inspiration from :)

http://sixrevisions.com/web_design/16_sites_web_design_inspiratio/

Wow that's really useful +rep. edit: gotta spread :(

[iUnknown]

Can't edit, where can I find a photoshop CS3 trial download so I can try it out? Adobe's download asks me to insert the CD... after taking ages to download...

[Joshuae]

Can't edit, where can I find a photoshop CS3 trial download so I can try it out? Adobe's download asks me to insert the CD... after taking ages to download...


It shouldn't do lol...

[iUnknown]

Well not insert CD, but insert photoshop CS3:

http://i35.tinypic.com/2rdz144.png