I am looking ot redesign my website, possibly to emulate the apple.com site. I know Duckie has created such a site and I like the way it looks so I think I might shot for that. Anywho, I was wondering what you guys use to do the layout. What steps do you take, what program do you use, etc...
I am kinda new to website design so I am trying to pick up any and all insight I can. Any tips, comments, or random babble are appreciated.
SpyderFCS
If your talking about the tabbed like site I posted a template on here awhile ago, I no longer have it but I'm sure someone else does.
alright...Thanks Timan...anyone got it?
I have the tabs I want to use already made and everything but I am wondering how to layer and/or lay those out. I am also looking to make my individual pages look like the apple sight...with the text positioning, colors, etc...
What do you mean layer the images? Do you want to use XHTML or XML or put the images into tables using html, or is this about photoshop and editing the images?
BTW, i just checked your site. It looks nice, organized, and user friendly, why do you want to change it? 
I'm just using DreamWeaver MX '04 And 'm just using Flash Buttons... quite gud (My site will be up soon)
Infinity, you should put your links in a nav bar, and put some content in there, lol.
1. Why not just create your own design. Stealing a well known design is stooped. It can be basic, and doesn't have to be loaded with graphics.
2. Flash buttons?! The bane of the internet. C'mon people, Everything doesn't have to be flashy-blinky.
CSSdesigns2win
For the graphics I use Photoshop and using my noggin, I decide how I want to split up the images and do so. Then I use Notepad to create the script.
Yes, I know, I am a hard a$$.
Originally posted by contrasutra@Dec 16 2003, 11:14 PM2. Flash buttons?! The bane of the internet. C'mon people, Everything doesn't have to be flashy-blinky.
Bane of the internet? Flash is spreading all over this place!
Everything doesn't have to be flashy-blinky? Why? It's nicer and more dynamic 
i just wanna say you gotta a really nice site there! good stuff! 
putting flashy-blinky stuff on websites just for heck of it is a waste of resources.
I steer clear of sites that use too much flash with too little purpose, not worth my time. Well-done flash sites seem to be few, mucho-flash doesn't straight equal visual appeal.
I have not seen ONE site that uses flash correctly (as a web design).
Mainly, its used as ads now. Because of course, I love blinking moving jumping ads.
The games and funny movies are good, but for actual design, its just a distraction.
Here's a tip: put actual content on your site. 
I'm with you, Contra. The only place I've seen Flash used right is...
Umm...
Well, it really bogs down my Dial-Up Internet...
Originally posted by AquaKid3D@Dec 16 2003, 07:24 PMI'm with you, Contra. The only place I've seen Flash used right is...
Well, it really bogs down my Dial-Up Internet...
Flash does not slow down the connection if used properly and coded properly. Adding bitmaps into the flash does not help. However, having a solid interface does help. Although, there is no need for flash nowadays.
I'm not against MM Flash and I'm not forcing you to use it either.
I cannot stress more how I understand most of you guys who thinks Flash is overused or more correctly, misused these days. Well a lot of Flash ****ies are to blame. A lot of debate has been written alone in this topic (Whether to use Flash or not) and IMHO the very essence of Flash should be its usability as discussed quite comprehensively by the renowned web usability expert Dr. Jacob Nielsen. Please visit his invaluable site here, one of my indispensable resources really.
Flash has been trying to invade all desktop users since the release of Future Splash and is evidently popular right now. The question wheter to use Flash is solely the responsibility of the author. My reason for liking flash is its popularity in almost all relatively new computers. So, more popularity is equal to less probability that the visitor's browser will not display it.
Now, the issue of incorporating it in your site begins to swell when you ask yourself whether your target audience will like it or does your site need something interactive which few tools can create (e.g. javascripts, cgi, .NET, etc.) if at all produce.
Flash, whether you like it or not will evolve. There are now plans of making Flash more like what Microsoft is doing with web apps. Think of it as Flash + .NET on steroids.
Oh yeah before I flood the post, I forgot all about what SpyderFCS was asking for.
I achieved the tabbed interface with aqua-like interface using the AquaElements.zip provided by one of AS forumers.
Here's what I did.
1. Spliced the aqua buttons into three parts in PS. For the "normal" state image, I made 9x20 px for the left and right portions, while the middle part is at 1x20. Did the same for the "highlight" and "selected" states at 1x20 px each.
2. In dreamweaver I followed the instructions of Mr. Douglas Bowman at www.alistapart.com. He made an excellent tabbed interface utilizing the very dependable CSS. Here is the page where you can get it. Hope you learn as much as I did.
3. Weaving it together was a breeze for me. I learned a lot from the tutorials but it wasn't enough so I decided to explore some more and it is really important to get a good understanding about cross-browser development. As I found out, what works for one may not be true for another. I learned how poorly Internet Explorer treated the web standards.
BTW I'm developing my first "serious" home page using PHP and MySQL, coupled with CSS and possibly MM Flash. My testing bed is just using the latest versions of Opera and Internet Explorer optimized for an 800x600 resolution or better by using liquid design.
Word of advice, be sure to check out your sites usability once in a while. Remember always that the site's content is still the king. :woot:
Hope this somehow helps. 
Why not? Be sure to be inspired! 
Originally posted by jerbau@Dec 17 2003, 07:54 AMI'm not against MM Flash and I'm not forcing you to use it either.
I cannot stress more how I understand most of you guys who thinks Flash is overused or more correctly, misused these days. Well a lot of Flash ****ies are to blame. A lot of debate has been written alone in this topic (Whether to use Flash or not) and IMHO the very essence of Flash should be its usability as discussed quite comprehensively by the renowned web usability expert Dr. Jacob Nielsen. Please visit his invaluable site here, one of my indispensable resources really.
[...]
Superb post.
Jakob Neilsen is absolutely right in his flash usage guidelines, but I've had the whole flash and usability argument before, and would say there's little point in trying to extoll the virtues of usability versus the garishness of Flash - people will still use Flash anyway - they used frames, didn't they?
Originally posted by Flarex@Dec 16 2003, 04:47 PMWhat do you mean layer the images? Do you want to use XHTML or XML or put the images into tables using html, or is this about photoshop and editing the images?
BTW, i just checked your site. It looks nice, organized, and user friendly, why do you want to change it?
thanks for the nice comment. I think I want to re-design it becuase I am bored...lol. I just want to try a few new things mainly so I can learn HTML more. As far as what I want to use, I think I mean putting the images into tables using HTML. As I said, I am relatively new to this and am just looking for some resources and guidence. Appreicate the comments and discussion all. keep it up.
As far as flash goes, it is to misused and I will be staying away from it but my respect goes out to those that can use it and use it well.
BTW: We need a web design or discussion forum... (Y)
Originally posted by SpyderFCS@Dec 17 2003, 05:35 PMBTW: We need a web design or discussion forum... (Y)
We've already got two...
Originally posted by Stevie BM@Dec 17 2003, 11:43 AMWe've already got two...
cool...but I kinda ment for here only because this is a very active board.
Originally posted by contrasutra@Dec 17 2003, 01:05 AMI have not seen ONE site that uses flash correctly (as a web design).
Mainly, its used as ads now. Because of course, I love blinking moving jumping ads.
The games and funny movies are good, but for actual design, its just a distraction.
Here's a tip: put actual content on your site.
Contra, this'll probably be painful on dialup, but I think this site is very well made. For flash anyway. Looky:
Designchapel does a very good job of using flash. Have fun viewing that page with dial up
Contra, this'll probably be painful on dialup, but I think this site is very well made. For flash anyway. Looky:
Wow. I just looked at the 2advanced site and had my subwoofer turned up! Sites like that make the internet very exciting. I wish every web site on the internet was like that.
Hmm... for those who's not yet convinced with the dynamic power of Flash here are some more sites to whet your appetite. Fresh from my bookmarks, here they are:
1. Praystation - You should love this... experiments galore. Straight from Joshua's desk. A real pioneer, IMO he's better than Hillman or Eric.
2. Joe Cartoon - Bring the dark side in you. Lots of excellent and funny toons. I recommend the Classic Joe link. Warning: Mature audience only.
3. Egomedia's www.ego7.com - Feel the power of dynamic Flash content boosted by XML. One of the most respected in the industry. Head over to the community site directly by jumping over here. Note: Best viewed with high bandwith connection.
Oh yeah baby... think it's warm enough? 
4. Heavy - Awesome graphics with heavy music and it's all in Flash. Note: Best viewed with high bandwith connection.
5. Ultrashock - Learn the trade of the talk. Think you're the master? Well, let's see now.
6. Theory7 - What?! Don't like Ego7? Here have a look at this instead. Flash e-commerce on display folks.
Getting there I see. Hot enough I feel. There are cheer I hear.
7. Ninjai - Into cartoons? Well made Flash animated mini movies. Enjoy. Hosted by atomfilms.
8. Neostream - As the site says... they're a serious multimedia company. Just got to love that little black guy.
9. jump tomorrow - Be sure to select the guy or girl graphic and click on the lower right part of the page. Interesting use of Flash here.
10. Yugop - One of the many interesting works of Mr. Nakamura. Unfortunatly, his site is currently down. Still, check out www.yugop.com once in a while. If you're lucky it might be up and running already.
All right, until next time... be sure to post good finds, probably on another post. Please include a link to this post. Thanks.
Hope I did manage to keep you interested long enough. (Y)
Who's suppose to inspire you?! Be inspired!
Hmm...take a look a this site too http://www.aqa-d.se
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