Website design is the process of planning and creating websites that can be read/viewed by web browsers
6
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1answer
1k views
Save for Web using Photoshop Actions
I would like to create an action, at the end of which I would like to save the file using Save for Web option.
The problem is the action is not being generic as it is remembering the static path of ...
6
votes
1answer
80 views
Font copyright when used in images (Helvetica)
I have a specific Helvetica font that I use for text within graphics I am creating for my website, i.e. buttons, pictures.
Do I need a licence or is it sufficient just to have purchased the specific ...
6
votes
3answers
246 views
How should I add a realistic shadow to this?
I'm working on a mockup of a jQuery slider which can be found here.
Now, I'm not the best graphic designer by any stretch of the imagination, and I can't seem to be able to get a realistic looking ...
5
votes
7answers
6k views
Designing A Website from Scratch – Illustrator or Photoshop?
If I'm designing a website from scratch and I intend to slice it and code it up in Adobe Dreamweaver later, should I create the design of the website in Illustrator or Photoshop? Why?
5
votes
4answers
398 views
Is DreamWeaver more efficient rather than coding manually
I have a client who want's me to use Dreamweaver for a project. I've always used Photoshop and Illustrator for mockups and coded the CSS manually (Actually I use SASS/SCSS). Does using a program like ...
5
votes
2answers
6k views
How can I achieve the “bent paper” effect in photoshop?
I've seen design elements on webpages that contain a "bent paper" effect. In other words, it looks like the paper is shaped in an arch, based on the visual perception of the shadow.
How do I achieve ...
5
votes
8answers
406 views
Is there graphic design software made for beginners, suitable for designing websites?
I'm teaching web development to beginners, and it would be useful to show them the basics in design, meaning using a graphic design package to come up with a layout, before turning it into code.
To ...
5
votes
5answers
526 views
Tasteful Alternative to Marquee
So a client of mine is making repeated requests for things that were "cool" when her website originally launched in the late nineties. One feature is a scrolling marquee that just says "welcome to ...
5
votes
3answers
1k views
Different Logo Colors for Different Uses, Appropriate?
I am finalizing the last step of my logo redesign process.
Is it ok not to have a regular color when presenting my logo?
I am thinking about having a defined list of colors for different use cases ...
5
votes
3answers
128 views
Is NDA necessary for this?
I have a client that requires me to submit at least a homepage of my proposed website design. However, I just recently known that he already contacted some other freelancers who incidentally are my ...
5
votes
3answers
455 views
Designing interesting looking websites in greyscale, minimal tones
I know a business that wanted a website to match their brand, and it would seem that they are allergic to colour. I think designs in greyscale can look amazing, especially in print, but it feels near ...
5
votes
5answers
773 views
Are dotted pictures a new trend in Web Design?
I've noticed lately that some of the websites I visit regularly are adopting a new and bizarre trend in Web Design: "the dotted pictures". Not sure what to call it. It looks as if a pattern of ...
5
votes
4answers
22k views
DIN Font free alternative
I need a websafe alternative to DIN font. Obviously it needs to have a free copyright. Anyone know of a good one?
Thanks!
5
votes
2answers
705 views
What is the fastest way to copy a colour in Photoshop as HEX?
A lot of designers use Photoshop as a design and mockup tool. And in doing so, one of the last steps can be to get a lot of the colour information out so things like gradients and dynamic text can be ...
5
votes
4answers
521 views
When to break out of a grid in webdesign?
Grid systems like the 960 grid and BluePrint can be useful to place the main elements for a website in a mockup: header, slider, content blocks, sidebar, footer etc. But do you use the same grid ...
5
votes
2answers
555 views
What are some good resources for web page composition?
I'm looking for resources on the composition of web pages.
I'd like to learn about pros and cons of different page layouts and techniques for moving the eye around a page.
5
votes
2answers
980 views
Vertical rhythm/baseline grid in Web Design
I recently read some articles about the importance of good vertical rhythm/using a baseline grid for good typography in web design. I decided to try using a baseline grid, like the 960 grid pictured ...
5
votes
2answers
170 views
Graphic Design Conferences
Does anyone know of good/reputable graphic design conferences/conventions in the states?
I'm looking to attend one that focuses both on web and print design.
Your recommendations are appreciated.
5
votes
3answers
379 views
Good sites to find textures online?
I'm always on the lookout for good textures, as they are pretty subtle but can add a lot of life to your site. Recently I found Tileables (http://tileabl.es/) which looks pretty cool. Can you ...
5
votes
3answers
3k views
Good background and text colors for a website with both photos and text
I put both photos and significant blocks of text on a couple of websites I run. Currently, I'm using white text on black or dark gray. It's getting a bit old, and I think I'd prefer text darker than ...
5
votes
4answers
158 views
Text flow - when to say “no”?
What do you folks use as a general rule of thumb for flowing text around embedded images? I know everyone's got different preferences in addition to standard rules; is there any time when you will ...
5
votes
1answer
480 views
Any idea when blending modes might be implemented in browsers?
I think it would be great for div's/img's to get some of the functionality that "layers" have in photoshop.
Right now, using .png's, div's/img's/etc.'s have their RGB and alpha values. If you have a ...
5
votes
2answers
898 views
What are the branches of Graphic Design
Does anyone know what is the full-branch of Graphic Design and the title for the person doing it.
Graphic Design
|- Web Design - Web Designer
|- Illustration - Illustrator
|- Photo Manipulation - ...
5
votes
3answers
463 views
Tools to simulate different DPI screens?
When designing for mobile web, its important to check designs at the physical screen size of target device. Merely looking at your PC / Mac screen at designs of the same resolution isn't enough:
* ...
4
votes
4answers
755 views
What makes a design professional?
Can anyone define why something might not look "professional"?
What differentiates between professional/unprofessional designs?
I have clients who have said my design does not look very ...
4
votes
4answers
171 views
Under whose name does an outsourced graphic designer go?
I have a web design company. For artistic graphics I hire a Graphic Designer to do it for me.
Obviously it hurts my business if it is known that I outsource so the designer uses an email address from ...
4
votes
2answers
6k views
How to design sleek magnifying glass effects like these?
I'm wondering how I can create the magnifying glass effect I've seen a lot lately on pages that sell software (either desktop or web-applications).
Here are two examples. I really like the first one ...
4
votes
3answers
307 views
Is there a short authoritative reference of basic design rules and principles?
As a web developer, I often find myself working with different non-professional self-called designers. In such situations, I often have to explain them the most basic rules and principles about the ...
4
votes
5answers
362 views
How can I get more efficient at designing tables for web in Photoshop?
It takes me too much time (IMO) to design tables in Photoshop. I need to move rows, columns and stuff easily. I'd like to be able to get through this faster.
I've tried InDesign and Illustrator and ...
4
votes
3answers
377 views
How to design sites with dark colours (red and black palette)
The graphic designer for my club created a red and black logo (major color is black highlighted with red). Everyone thinks it looks great, and I agree. The issue lies with designing the site. We've ...
4
votes
5answers
84 views
What is the best way to design for a group where multiple people have equal input?
I am building a website for a student organization. Although I'm a novice at graphic design, I can do basic sites (bootstrap is a lifesaver) and am moreso of a pro when it comes to development.
The ...
4
votes
2answers
880 views
Can you use PowerPoint images on your website?
Is it all right to use powerpoint images on your website? For example, If I draw an arrow using the shapes tool, can I then cut the image from the powerpoint and save it, Then use it on my website?
...
4
votes
2answers
150 views
How to solve the tragic fate illustrated in the article: How a web design goes straight to hell?
This is the article:
http://theoatmeal.com/comics/design_hell
Some of the solutions I thought:
Quitting web design and starting an own online business.
Only accepting jobs offered by professional ...
4
votes
3answers
98 views
Save individual element in PSD as an image
I am developing a site and got given the design as a PSD, my question is, can I select an individual element, say the social media icons, and save them as an image?
What I have been doing so far is ...
4
votes
2answers
166 views
How to convert text paths to editable text in an .eps file downloaded from Shutterstock?
I am an experienced PHP programmer, but very new to Illustrator. Finally, the time has come that I need to download artwork from Shutterstock (shutterstock.com) for use on a customer's website.
The ...
4
votes
2answers
403 views
Looking for suggestions for making type more readable with a drop shadow
I want to show a menu with indented items on top of a black background. I tried a lot of colors but can't find the right ones.
I'm using css property text-shadow:
text-shadow: 1px 1px #191919 , -1px ...
4
votes
4answers
436 views
Can you recommend web design books/tutorials that teach specific design techniques?
Other questions that deal with book recommendations do not address my particular need. I'm looking for web design books that teach me how to design using specific techniques and elements. Such as ...
4
votes
2answers
779 views
On which occasions would you use italics in web design?
In which occasions you would like to use italics in web design? Because the use of bold fonts is quite obvious not sure about italics.
4
votes
2answers
61 views
Which is a better design pricing model?
I'm curious which pricing model other feel best fits freelance design, in what situations, and why.
I am not seeking dollar values.
There are a few basic pricing models a freelancer can use:
...
4
votes
2answers
89 views
How do I replicate these two effects in Photoshop?
I am having trouble finding help on my own since I do not know the names of these effects. Here's the reference image:
How do I replicate the impressed circle effect behind the button? I
tried ...
4
votes
6answers
411 views
Modern design - What's that?
I am working on redesigning my website and iterating through fivesecondtests.
The overall feedback is improving but no matter what I change, several people have mentionned that my designs look ...
4
votes
2answers
705 views
How to “draw” pointed corner drop shadows in Adobe Illustrator CS5
I have this image which I want to re-draw/reverse engineered so that I can use it at different sizes as resizing it cause it to look bad.
But I can't seem to figure out how to do it. The drop ...
4
votes
1answer
72 views
How can I create imagery for cyber security and cyberspace general while avoiding that late 90's early 2000's look?
If you were to do a google image search for cyber security you'd see exactly what I mean. Even the slickest images representing cyber security or cyberspace seem to fall under a style that IMO is very ...
4
votes
1answer
3k views
Illustrator EPS File To PNG Web Logo - Print Quality
I have been provided a typographic logo in an EPS format and I am creating a PNG with it (File | Save For Web & Devices) to be used on a web site. One of the pages on the web site is a "print ...
4
votes
1answer
75 views
How do you build a webpage with a main text body and 2 columns underneath? [closed]
I have a body of text that I am trying to layout in a visually pleasing way but I can not figure it out. The goal is to have this layout (see psuedocode):
<container>
<main />
...
4
votes
4answers
334 views
designing websites using grids
I read a lot about grids and how they make the websites look good (needless to say I agree)
though I have not been able to work with them. Have not been able to "feel" the advantage whilst using the ...
4
votes
3answers
128 views
Mobile First and RWD workflow and how to interact with client
Our agency's workflow for creating a website normally consists of:
discuss content-design with client
we create wireframes (with optional, depending on client, approval)
we create one or more pixel ...
4
votes
1answer
151 views
UX research on where to put website menu? [closed]
If you browse websites, you can find pretty much all types of sidebar menus: on top (like our very own Stack Exchange), as left or right menu bar, or even at the bottom (though that's a less common ...
4
votes
4answers
1k views
Gutters - Padding and Margin for Columns with Background or Border
What are the recommended design guidelines for gutters when a column (or box, or any layout module) has its shape clearly visible because it has its own background or border?
Typically one would put ...
4
votes
1answer
164 views
How to choose embossing color?
I'm using css to emboss text with this:
text-shadow: black 1px 1px 5px;
My site uses different font colors and background colors. I was wondering how I can choose the "best" embossing color based ...
