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Posted on 24/04/09 7:14:29 PM |
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Deborah Morley
Makeover Magician Posts: 1319 Reply  |
Web design
Hello, I am interested in learning about web site design - but don't really know much about it - if in fact anything! Does anyone have any pointers? Does it need to be in Flash or can it be done in photoshop and then into Html (which I know nothing about). I don't really know where to start, so any suggestions would be gratefully received. Thanks Deborah |
Posted on 25/04/09 00:44:38 AM |
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rufus
Destructive Demon Posts: 243 Reply  |
Re: Web design
Hi Deborah, Web design is a great subject with a similar learning curve to Photoshop so be prepared to spend many happy hours trying to get it right. You can approach it in different ways depending on your outlook and budget. As web pages are all written in HTML / XTML you can write one with a simple text editor such as Notepad in Windows or Texwrangler on a Mac. Here is an example which you can copy, paste and save onto your desktop and then view with your internet browser. (Save as mysite.html as all website pages must end in .html). <html> <head> <title>My Website</title> </head> <body> <p> This is my first website. </p> <p> Well you've got to start somewhere! </p> </body> </html> At the other end of the spectrum you can use Dreamweaver, probably the best known website design programme. This allows you to design a web page in design or code view or a combination of both. The programme takes some time to learn but it's easier in the long run. I recommend taking a look at some training video's from Lynda Training. You can view some sample lessons online free of charge at http://www.lynda.com/home/DisplayCourse.aspx?lpk2=410 Also there is some Total Training sample lessons at http://www.totaltraining.com/prod/outlines/adobe/dreamweavercs3_ess.asp but you have to register for a day pass. Of course there are hundreds of books written on the subject too. Hope this helps, if you want any more info let me know. rufus |
Posted on 25/04/09 07:16:42 AM |
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tank172
ThreeDee Thriller Posts: 692 Reply  |
Re: Web design
Hi there, If you subscribe to the linda.com podcast, they give a link at the end of each episode for a free 24 hour pass to their library.  |
Posted on 25/04/09 11:04:25 AM |
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David Asch
Tech Support Posts: 1913 Reply  |
Re: Web design
If you don't want to get bogged down in HTML, CSS and the like, you could give SiteGrinder a try. It uses keyword triggers in Photoshop layer names to convert the image to a fully functional website. Whilst it has many web-coders reaching for the angry green biro, it does give you back the all-important design side, without the heartache of having to learn the coding side. _________________ A happy-go-lucky chap, always dressed in black |
Posted on 25/04/09 6:43:12 PM |
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Deborah Morley
Makeover Magician Posts: 1319 Reply |
Re: Web design
Many thanks Rufus and David - certainly things to start thinking about. I must admit I've been looking at SiteGrinder which for someone with my non knowledge of computers looks very interesting. Thanks tank for the information on linda.com. |
Posted on 26/04/09 7:52:38 PM |
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Steve Caplin
Administrator Posts: 7047 Reply  |
Re: Web design
I reviewed SiteGrinder for MacUser magazine recently. It's very good at creating basic sites - and can generate much more complex ones if you take the time to explore all its features. The good thing is, you don't have to if you don't want to. Well worth a look. |
Posted on 27/04/09 10:19:58 PM |
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Paul 2007 thru 2010
Lego Legend Posts: 361 Reply |
Web design
I would steer clear of flash for anything other that decorative effects. It really reduces accessibility. I looked at a site the other day on my iPhone. The front page was all flash. I couldn't get in as the iPhone cannot display flash (at the moment). They lost me as a customer. Also I was looking at another site on my Play Station 3. That has flash on too. I could not navigate to the buttons in the flash. Again they lost a viewer. I used to think accessibility was purely to help the blind. |
Posted on 28/04/09 00:35:47 AM |
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dave.cox
Marquee Master Posts: 518 Reply  |
Re: Web design
If you want to use flash to design a web page, and you have the expertise with flash to do so, then there is nothing wrong with using that approach. That being said, you must be careful to address Paul's concerns above. That is, not everyone can display flash. If you don't want to loose viewers, you must be careful to detect users that can not display flash content, and display alternate html content. This is very easy to do, and Adobe provides the tools needed to do this for free on there web site. If done correctly, the user never knows that they are seeing alternate content. If you are going to do more than just casual web page design, I strongly suggest that you look into Dreamweaver. It is well worth the cost. Dave |
Posted on 28/04/09 10:21:37 AM |
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Eggbox
Ovoid Opportunist Posts: 797 Reply  |
Re: Web design
Hi Deborah. I've been fiddling about with web sites for a while with, I'd like to add, great help from Dave Cox. My intro from which I wrote the first site was "HTML Quick Steps" by Guy Hart-Davis published by McGraw Hill. It is a brilliant intro which does take you through the whole stage of your first site. An alternaltive just introduced by Xara Ltd is Web Designer. There is a trial download from http://site.xara.com/downloads/ It costs £39 and there are a whole load of video demos at http://www.xara.com/us/products/webdesigner/tutorials-demos/ Many people use Dreamweaver which is a) costly and b) usually requires a steep learning curve. However, once learned the sky is your limit! Ted |
Posted on 28/04/09 11:13:08 AM |
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horonggo
Manchurian Master Posts: 71 Reply  |
Re: Web design
Suggest that you first learn "Head First HTML/XHTML CSS"by O'REILLY  |
Posted on 28/04/09 7:25:54 PM |
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Paul 2007 thru 2010
Lego Legend Posts: 361 Reply |
Re: Web design
Notepad++ (a text editor) and FireFox (a browser with loads of free addons for web development) are all you really need if you want to actually learn web design from the ground up. I designed a whole e-commerce site for my company this way and it really helps things stick in your mind. Working like this gives a real sense of achievement 
If you want to get into more technical aspects of web design i.e. server side scripting then get XAMPP, LAMPP, or MAMPP (Different versions for different operating systems). These let you have a fully fledged web server on your PC. Fantastic time saver for testing out your site. |
Posted on 29/04/09 6:22:03 PM |
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Deborah Morley
Makeover Magician Posts: 1319 Reply |
Re: Web design
Many thanks everyone, certainly lots to think about. |
Posted on 29/04/09 10:24:25 PM |
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David Asch
Tech Support Posts: 1913 Reply |
Re: Web design
For the Mac based people, I highly recommend Coda for building your own sites from the ground up. _________________ It must be Thursday, I never could get the hang of Thursdays |
Posted on 30/04/09 10:53:53 PM |
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tank172
ThreeDee Thriller Posts: 692 Reply |
Re: Web design
Sitegrinder is an excellent program. I've been using the Pro version for several months. Speaking of which, David did you use it for the Elements site? I remember you posted something about that a while ago. Also, Joomla or Wordpress are excellent options. I put together my Church's website using Joomla - and keeping the site updated is a breeze! The church employees have the ability to add and update content without me having to go in and design each and every new page. There are several good templates available free as well as online tutorials. Depending on your needs, each type of webpage: Traditional HTML, Flash, or Content Management such as Joomla, have their strong points as well as their weeknesses to help you consider how you want to develop your site(s). |
Posted on 01/05/09 09:06:35 AM |
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David Asch
Tech Support Posts: 1913 Reply |
Re: Web design
I did look at Sitegrinder but ended up coding it by hand. I'm also in the process of redesigning by personal site, blacksilverpurple.net, using Wordpress; I'm trying to build it completely, rather than just integrating it. There isn't enough content to allow me to replace the old one just yet but it will eventually have all that's currently there and hopefully a live(ish) blog of interesting stuff. _________________ A happy-go-lucky chap, always dressed in black |
Posted on 02/05/09 00:21:32 AM |
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tank172
ThreeDee Thriller Posts: 692 Reply |
Re: Web design
Haha! I'm in the process of doing the same. Although I don't have the skills to code a Wordpress site by hand, I have been looking at this spiffy wordpress theme: http://tavshan.com/demo/wordfolio/ I'm getting my application and portfolio together to apply at a fine art & design university, so I'll have to revamp my site within the next couple months before submitting my application. Since I'm not coming straight out of high school, they have several different guidlines and specific requirements to be even considered to attend their school, along with portfolio and website. --fingers crossed!-- |
Posted on 02/05/09 00:33:14 AM |
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David Asch
Tech Support Posts: 1913 Reply |
Re: Web design
That's a nice theme. Good luck with the application! _________________ If you hold on to the past, sooner or later you'll lose your grip. |
Posted on 21/05/09 6:14:29 PM |
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Deborah Morley
Makeover Magician Posts: 1319 Reply |
Re: Web design
Hello. a really dumb question. Is there anywhere in the UK to buy Sitegrinder or does it have to be done on the internet? Have searched but can't find anywhere. Also, has anyone had a play with GroBoto which looks like great fun and again is there somewhere in the UK to buy it. I tried Smithmicro uk but the mac version just took me to the US site. Thanks |