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- CommentAuthoroiadscient
- CommentTimeSep 18th 2008
Some say that every design solution begins by defining the problem and establishing constraints. I was wondering how many web designers design based on this theory?
Right now I am designing my portfolio, but am having a hard time with the grid. I simply don't want to load up photoshop and begin making up placement for graphics without an organized structure in place. I figure to start simple and work my way up. -
This might be a bit late, but here I go anyways.
There are a couple of things you need to know before you open photoshop…
Know your audience… Is it potential clients? fellow web designers? Decide who your audience is and the most suitable content for it. Once you know who you want to target, create the content… figure out what your navigation structure is, write the content, decided how much sample work you want to show etc etc…
Once you feel good about the content you want to display, grab a pen and pencil and SKETCH! nothing bets pen and pencil or a whiteboard. Play with layout ideas etc… You will find that when you sketch things it’s a lot easier to go into photoshop after.
There are a few other things that you can do, but for me, these are the basics.
Hope this helps.
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First thing I always consider is : Why should a user visit your site. The content needs to be interesting to the audience. Content is king.
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I can't speak to the wisdom of the method, but the way I generally approach design projects is...
1.) Gather and understand the content, and solidify any navigational or content organization schemes. Generate a site map or framework. Often, this consists of little more than a big Word (or like) multi-level bullet list-- simple enough, and does the trick. Answer the question: "What, exactly, needs to be presented?"
2.) Identify any opportunities to innovatively enhance the presentation.
3.) With the framework properly understood, identify an "angle". See if there are unique points of the product or project that can be centrally showcased. Examine product positioning to select a primary metaphor for visual style and presentation-- the same product or topic may be approached from completely different angles, warranting completely different styles. If possible, dilute this down to a "thesis statement", a simple description, a guiding slogan or tagline. Often, multiple angles may be defined, pursued, and presented.
4.) This is less of a distinct step, but I will often be putting down ideas and roughing things out with either pen/paper or Adobe Illustrator as well.
5.) Comp, approve, build.
Personally and professionally, I'm a bit more marketing and copy centered, and many of the sites I build are marketing-driven (rarely "applications" or functionally-based sites) so I tend to have more of the "angle" thought process, than the "problem/solution" process.
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