6 replies to this topic

[Chip]

ok well i'm new here, and i have quite a few questions. I am new to web design, and relatively new to graphics and things of that nature. I am a member of the Technology Student Association (official site). One of the numerous competitions held at the state level is web design. I have long been intrigued by web design and have decided compete in this event. In designing a web page for a technology association, what sort of things should i consider, (color schemes, themes, layouts etc.). Any input would be sincerely appreciated!

I am have ample skills in photoshop, to the point where designing layouts and graphics presents no real challenge to me, the challenge lies in deciding on a layout/theme. This is where i have a number of questions: what is the best way to go about using photoshop and dreamweaver to create a site? my real questions lie in using dreamweaver, what would you suggest as the best way to get a good handle on the program? and finally, i would like to incorporate (i'm not sure of the exact term, basically it's a navbar that upon rollover a dropdown menu appears containing futher links) can i accomplish this using imageready, if not how should i go about this?

thank you very much for bearing with me, i know how tedious helping a beginner at something can be, i greatly appreciate your time.

[Jaymz]

You should consider the impact that certain colors have on the human psyche. For example, blues promote thought and create a powerful, trustworthy image which is great for business sites. The tones and shades help as well. If you're selling food, red is good because the color red makes people hungry (check out the McDonalds site... its red).

You should also consider the shapes you use, and gradients, etc. Just do something you think looks nice...

[Chip]

thanks a lot, anyone else's input would be greatly appreciated, any tips for a someone new to webdesign, another element of the competition is that the website must load in under 8 seconds (or points will be deducted for each second exceeding that time). This leads me to think that my site will have to have limited colors, limited animation, and be pretty much "to the point". How can i achieve this, yet still provide a highly professional feel?

[FaultySanity]

Learn your color theory.

It comes in SUPER handy when making websites.

IE: I have found that monochromatic color coding is very common in succesful websites.

Mono = 1, chrome = color. So, one color...ot in other words, using blue - light blue - dark blue - etc.

[Chip]

excellent, i'll get right on that.

As far as colors go, TSA seems to be heavy the the whole red, white, and blue, patriotic thing. In ideas i have developed in photoshop, this really doesn't look that good, i attribute this mostly to the fact that i don't have the ability to make anything look good in PS. What do you think of the using red, white and blue as a color scheme? personally it bores me.

[FaultySanity]

I good way to keep track of color is using swatches. Try to find the swatch library in Ps7 and see if you can find Pantone Coated Process, gots lots-o colors in there.

[Chip]

ok, now the layout itself, what are your thoughts? (please excuse my excessive questions, i just think that this site and these boards make an excellent place to learn). As far as layout is concerned, i think a navbar with (i'm not sure of the exact term, now i want to say drop down menus, but i'm not sure, basically a rollover effect which allows another menu to drop down from which further navigation is possible). I think that seems practicle. Furthermore, as far as graphics are concerned, i was wondering about the banner, what is a good way get a banner that will get a professional effect, yet be easy on the colors, as to keep it loading fast on 56k modems?