Can you all take me through the process that you use when you need to design a website from scratch?

I've heard some people say they lay it out in photoshop first. Is this what you pros do? I read http://vkw91.blogspot.com/ and http://www.webdesignfromscratch.com/ already btw.

That's what I do. I get my sketch on (as much as a code warrior like myself can graphicize), cut it up into images only (no ImageReady code) and then code.

That way, I can plot out the major aspects of the site (colour scheme, layout, navigation, etc.) before I work on it and fill in the blanks.

That's what mine evolved into. I started out with Dreamweaver, and managed to break the templates and library items somehow, so I've switched over to Notepad++ - you should give that a try.

In any case, I'm really no good at all at it, but I did my design from scratch ( I'm a do it yourself type ). I give some thought to the different things I need to display, sketched everything out ( mentally ), and then came as close to that as I could with html and Photoshop.

If its literally JUST HTML and CSS, I just open notepad and let the magic happen!

Otherwise, I start out in PhotoShop and make the header or something and then start coding

thanks yall

1. sketch on paper
2. divide into logical divisions (divs)
3. code
4. spice up with images and neat naviagtion

Before you do any " Design " work you need to get pen to paper and work on the idea of the site and how it should be implimented.

who are your visiters, what is your targeted market and so on..

I always design the entire design in photoshop before I even think about coding. Then I slice it, and save for web, then edit. I find this is the easiest way for me.

I'm like visuals, so my process starts with an idea, then I look for inspiration online. Seeing what others have done bares no shame if in the end you can come up with a completely unique idea all your own. I will diagram on paper because i'm not fast enough with PS. Then I go through a long period of design and change and change and change until nothing needs change. Then review. Follow this process and you too can become a neurotic mess

Hey so i'm in the same boat as this guy.

Once the site is spliced, you code it? What do you mean? Put some CMS code in? I'm totally new to this?
If there a tutorial to "code" a spliced site please link it!

Thanks alot

Bvlaar

I start with paper and pencil for the conception. Take it digital through PS and then splice it up and put it together. Normally through dreamweaver, though I almost 9/10 have to end up writing parts by hand.

By code they mean as well as I or anyone else, put the coding needed around it. Whether they are designing a site in php, html, css, java, flash or whatever they put the corresponding codes needed to display it throughout browser windows.

How do you guys determine whether or not to use a template? There are so many templates out there that you can customize.

Seems like it would save time (cut costs). What are the major drawbacks to using a template?

Originally Posted by Noobstein

How do you guys determine whether or not to use a template? There are so many templates out there that you can customize.

Seems like it would save time (cut costs). What are the major drawbacks to using a template?

Imagine you want to build a house and you are allowed only three basic floorplans. The floorplans may or may not fit your needs. Maybe the Master Bath is too small or you don't get enough closet space.

Templates are similar. If your site doesn't have a lot of bells and whistles it may be a good idea to choose a good CSS based template to build your site. If your application requires a lot more custom look and feel you may be better off designing from scratch.

Case by case...

I'm talking templates from like template monster, not css templates.

Seems like a lot of effort would just go into finding a template with the right design. Do you typically charge the same amount when you use a template?

Draw it, code the layout and basics, spice with photoshop
All using notepad/textEdit

Originally Posted by Noobstein

I'm talking templates from like template monster, not css templates.

Seems like a lot of effort would just go into finding a template with the right design. Do you typically charge the same amount when you use a template?

Wow you really didn't understand him did you? He's talking templates to. The floorplan situation was the best way to describe it. FYI css templates are the only templates you should be buying, and they have those at monster templates.

I don't charge the same amount for using a template, but they come to me if they would like a template, and they purchase it. I do not purchase templates at all, never have, never will. I despise them. I'm sorry but you can't say that you are one of the best artists if even two of your sites have the same design, but different color schemes.

Originally Posted by seolman

..... If your site doesn't have a lot of bells and whistles it may be a good idea to choose a good CSS based template to build your site. If your application requires a lot more custom look and feel you may be better off designing from scratch. Case by case...

I agree to that..
So far, I used to find the idea first by viewing some templates or even just a web layout image then after combining all parts that I need, I translate into photoshop. I'm now learning CSS and still facing difficulties on combining CSS + PHP/HTML... Need trick for different browsers...