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What Motivates Your Redesign/Realign and How do you go about it?
I've been having trouble defining myself on the web. I've been staring at three photoshop documents for hours trying to convince myself they are good enough. The pink tree thing you see now is the result of me deciding to go into web design after years of doing it as a hobby, but without ever really knowing what I was doing. I'd love some feedback on this post so if you read it, try and piece the bodged comment form together and reply.
Since I’ve been doing this, first as a hobby, then as a hobby/dream job, now as a job, I’ve learnt an incredible amount about web aesthetics, standards-based technologies and most importantly, the purpose of a website. I want my site to reflect this. Why? No one visits it anyway I hear you, the non-existent reader, say. Well, this hobby-turned-job of mine has turned into an obsession. I’m sure my darling girlfriend will back me up on this.
God knows how many hours a day I spend reading through years worth of archives on the sites of my favourite web designers, envying every single one, yet knowing that every one, if I had designed and built it, would reflect upon me as a person about as much as a night out in a trendy wine bar would. I’m a junior/young/inexperienced designer, so maybe I don’t have a ‘style’ yet, maybe my design skills still leave a lot to be desired and will no doubt become more proficient the more I practice, or maybe, just maybe, I don’t actually know what my site should be used for.
So, my questions to you dear non-readers, are as follows:
- What motivates your redesign/realign?
- How do you design it to reflect upon you as a person? Does it mirror your personality?
- I’m obviously frustrated, got any advice?
Cheers
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Comments (3)
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Erwin Heiser // 11/04/07
Nowadays, I find that I get more inspiration from other sources than looking at other websites. Read some books on graphic design, typography, architecture and art. Go to a museum for the afternoon and doodle in a sketchbook. Take photographs., etc… just get away from the screen for a while you’ll be amazed of the inspiration you’ll get :)
Greg // 11/04/07
Cheers Erwin, thanks for you input. You’re a little late though, the realign has already been done!
You’re right though, in the last three or four months I’ve taken to carrying around a ring bound book, a biro and a some sticky tape. Whenever I see something in a magazine, on TV, on a billboard, I make a conscious effort to get it down for later.
Carlton Dickson // 01/05/07
Hey Greg, found a link to your site via the Expression Engine introductions and really like the layout of your site.
Just trying to get to grips with the EE myself and once I understand how the engine works I can then start working on the design.
I will be in the same situation as yourself while designing, stuck in front of Photoshop docs trying to decide which is best...I would have to say design isn’t my strongest point (prob cos I’m more of a developer) but because EE seems to take away all the hard development work I think I’ll be able to spend a lot more time on it and come up with something that looks and works well.
I, like yourself, read a couple of blogs of the well known designers and envy their style but I’m sure things like that will come in time...I think you should be proud that you site design is clear, consistant and works very well!