I am a php/mysql, java developer having an experience of more than 5 years. but whenever it comes to web site design or web application design part it is difficult for me.
I want to know the standard web design process i.e. from scratch to finish. From many books I find that first concept develop, than wireframe, than design a layout in photoshop, than slice it up and convert to html using css and xhtml.
I would like to know how to design creative web sites.
where to start?
where to find inspiration ?
how to make a creative web layout?
where to find free professional graphics (Stock photo)?
most of the books emphasize on one or two aspects e.g. HTML, CSS, Photoshop etc.
while some web sites focus only on inspiration.
Is there any quick tutorial or any book show me the full process from design concept to complete web site ? in easy to understand language for a developer.
Everyone wants a quick solution in this life, but really everything takes time. I’d love to learn PHP in 5 minutes, but as you know it takes time.
where to find inspiration ?
In my view, nothing beats studying websites you like and observing how they tick—how they are coded, how the content is organized and how images and CSS are used. Learn from the work of the masters.
There are also plenty of books that cover a lot about web design. Get a good book on each aspect for best results. SitePoint has a great collection that covers all bases.
I understand it takes a lot of time to learn and i have a lot of web design books on
subject like photoshop, css, html, javascript etc. I need a guideline e.g. First design a layout on paper, than draw it in photoshop , use these colors, get images from this site , convert to html etc.
I’m replying to this because you remind me so much of myself.
I have designed several hundred website designs over the years, 90% of which I have just thrown away because they were just practice. Now that I look back on that, however, I wish I would have kept them for future reference. There were some awesome designs in there.
I find my inspiration by going trough pre designed templates on a website and picking out something as small of a navigation button and building a site around that. And that ONLY. I don’t want you guys to think I steal an entire design…
It’s hard to ALWAYS inspire yourself when it comes to a design. Go out and look around for what you like.
This is my process: Conceive, Figure Colors, Design, Tweak, Slice, Implement Code.
If you ask me design is much like art. Inspiration can come from anywhere. I usually find my inspiration from other websites, nature, or any user interface (stereo controls, normal applications, car instruments, remote controls, etc…).
One thing that will really help you out in the end is to think about your content before diving into a design. Your content may lend itself to particular designs or may even have an inherent design.
I tend to usually start with paper, sketching what comes to mind, have a good eraser handy, always use pencil. This sketching is usually directly with the client, figuring out what they need, describing what I am sketching. This is also the time I tend to pick out the general color scheme, sometimes multiple.
Next, I leap directly to mock-ups. Many may tell you not too, that it is a waste of time. I find I can make html faster than I can do something in photoshop. Also, make use of filler text and images from similar projects you’ve worked on. The more realistic it become the better. Once you are happy with the mock-up, take a screen shot for the client. Be careful not to let them think this is a working website, that can lead to trouble. I always make my mock-up something I will transform into the real thing.
As for graphics, I tend to like to make my own. I wasn’t always like that, one thing really changed me with regards to graphics, the discovery of artistic brushes. These make graphic design so much easier. Do a search for gimp or photoshop brushes and you will see what I mean.
As your requirement is to design a creative website, you must concentrate on content which you are providing in your site. Content may lead your way to creativity.
Although many sources are available on internet which would help you in designing a creative website but i would suggest you to practice under any professional web developer which helps you a lot.