What is your inspiration?

I've been trying to work on a site I've had for 2 years, and it never comes out appealing. I want it to be simple, but it ends up plain. I want it to be cool, but it ends up clashing. Perhaps I'm trying too hard to stick with a particular color theme.

When you think "computer virus", what are the first colors that come to mind? When you think "network security" what type of design comes to mind?

My content is mostly article based. Needs a menu and a submenu. Is going to have ads. Maybe a small column for polls or other related information. Maybe you can point me in the right direction, any template ideas?

Sometimes it seems to take a lot of playing around with a site before it's "right".

Colors? I would think of red with a virus, since that's how I get when someone tries to send me one. Green might be a good color for network security. Something that is calming, maybe even a blue.

There's lots of places that sell templates or have free templates. I suggest browsing a lot of them because there may be something that really gets your site going.

Dave

in my case usually when i look at the posters or something like that, im trying to create something original

I agree with DM,

I see a bright red (but bright reds aren't that good) mabye a darker red on a gray background.

Security I see a blue like webmaster forums, If you have IE6 open webmaster forums in your brower and look at the scrollbar. Thats very calming to me hehe.

If not a blue, I think a nice orange is good

When I design websites for clients, I base the design on the function / purpose of the website.

I personaly am very against templates, I feel that copying / using other peoples work isnt acceptable when designing for paying clients. However I dont mind so much if it is for a personal website where the webmaster is not being payed to use a web template.

When I design a website - I think that it is important to get the right balance. If you draw this graph you can easialy see what kind of website that it is and base your design on it.


PRESCRIPTIVE

|
|
FUN _____|_____ SERIOUS
|
|
|

DYNAMIC

(the graph does not display properly - i know, imagine it lol)

On the graph you must plot where the website should go and from there you can work out the best genre of design that matches its purpose.

Once that is done, you must choose a colour scheme. For the website you have in mind I would suggest the following colours for each perspective website:

// computer virus website

DFB3A7
BF7360
55281C
AA4F39
FFCCBF
FF9980
FF3300

>> They are all focused around the Base color: #FF3300, which is red.

// network security website

7C94A5
4C7899
142A3B
285577
B1D3EC
6CAAD9
0066B2

>> They are all focused around the Base color: #0066B2, which is a nice lightish blue.

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I hope that I have answered or helped answer your question, as I own my own company I am not obliged to give out all my techniques but my information should help you to create a site that you are happy with...

Cheers,

Originally posted by greenie

// computer virus website

DFB3A7
BF7360
55281C
AA4F39
FFCCBF
FF9980
FF3300

How did you come up with those colors?

I'm afraid that I can't tell you that - I create websites for a living and so giving out all my trade secrets is something I cannot do...

Sorry,

Originally posted by greenie
I'm afraid that I can't tell you that - I create websites for a living and so giving out all my trade secrets is something I cannot do...

Sorry,

wow

Originally posted by SagaLore
How did you come up with those colors?

Try this: http://www.colorschemer.com/online

Try this: http://www.colorschemer.com/online

That website is good enough - however, I don't like some of the colors it chooses...

Have fun building your website - when you have finished it e-mail me and I will review it for you if you want me to.

Cheers,