Help With Re-Design

[The-Omega]

I know this sounds a bit amaturish....but, I was wondering if anyone knows a GOOD site I can go to..to get ideas for my re-design of http://theomega.livesite.org.uk the desgin was made last January and I usually like to change the design every year (should have been changed sooner probly) but I am kind of stuck. I cant seem to figure out what I want to do or which way to go with the design.

I guess im having a brain fart or something....any suggestions or sites are welcomed. :D

[pcthug]

Why not check out some web design award sites, as they list sites that have won awards and if they are good enough to win awards they must be pretty damn good. Here are a few to start with:
http://www.americandesignawards.com/
http://www.designfirms.org/awards/

And also check out CSS Zen Garden (http://www.mezzoblue.com/zengarden/alldesigns/) , for both the submitted designs, and the designers websites

[Jona]

Although ideas and inspiration are beneficial to the designer, I do not recommend using existing site designs as inspiration while you are working. The reason is simply that your design will likely turn out as a low-quality remake of the design that inspired it. Instead, I would recommend browsing some CSS galleries [1] for ideas, but close them all and don’t visit again until you’re done designing your site. When you see something you think is cool, make note of it, but don’t go back to it again. This will produce the most original design. Also, it may help you to begin working in Photoshop (or your favorite graphics editor) and produce a number of “mock-ups” (incarnations of the final design) before exporting the images and producing the HTML/CSS for the site. (This allows for maximum design flexibility, as you don’t have to confront HTML/CSS limitations or problems until you’re satisfied with what the design SHOULD look like, instead of what you’re capable of — it helps you to stretch your mind.)

[1] Some CSS galleries:
–http://webstandardsawards.com/
–http://www.cssbeauty.com/
–http://cssvault.com/
–http://stylegala.com/
–http://www.nv30.com/mt/blogomania/index.php

[The-Omega]

Thanks Jona and pcthug for your input. I will be trying to come up with a new design soon....im still stuck so it may NOT be soon lol. I am a perfectionist and I will not settle for anything that I dont 100% like at the time of design. I am NOT saying im the best because I am FAR FAR away from that, I guess u could call it picky. And its hard to come up with a design because I dont just want an everyday desgin...I want one to top the current one. If you get what I mean.

Also, I do use Adobe Photoshop CS and Imageready CS....and that is weird because that is usually how ALL my designs start....I design the graphics/logo and design the site around that. I thought I was the only one with this weird way of designing.

I have alot of other image programs like flash and fireworks and stuff but i just cant figure out how to use them :( I guess im a stickler for my Adobe Photoshop.

[The-Omega]

Well....I am goin to post what I have thought up so far for a design. It is here http://theomega.livesite.org.uk/test/ I am not too sure about it....it seems like its no better than the last design....you tell me. There is only ONE graphic on the main page...good for quick loading and stuff....let me shut up and let YOU people tell me what you think.

NOTE: I will be taking the underlines out of the links and adding CSS and all that good stuff but I just kinda want to see if its worth all that right now.

[KDLA]

I like it.

Is the IFRAME necessary? I have a high resolution monitor, and condensing your content into such a small space seems a waste of my screen's "real estate."

A CSS rollover effect for the navigation would be nice.

KDLA

[The-Omega]

Thanks KDLA......well i use the IFRAME so i dont have to keep reloading the page or main design...with the IFRAME I can just have a mainly text page so people can click on one of the links and it will load quickly without having to refresh the main logo and stuff....but i see your point. As for the CSS it's coming lol....im being lazy....I am trying to use a style sheet instead of inserting the css codes in EVERY page like I have been doing (i know, i know). Can I insert the codes in the style sheet the same way they are inserted in the html code?

[KDLA]

Yeah, just get rid of the style=" and the closing "

Example -

<div style="font-size: 2em; color: black; padding: 4px;">Banner</div>

will become

#banner {font-size: 2em; color: black; padding: 4px;}

in the CSS document

and

<div id="banner">Banner</div>

in the HTML.

See http://www.htmlgoodies.com/beyond/css/article.php/3470231 for more info.

KDLA

[dera]

what about csszengarden? have u been there there heaps of inspiration there :p
also you know those theme websites where you can buy a theme look through them some of them spring good ideas to mind

[thewebman]

to answer the questions on the test page: yes, the color scheme is better and easier on the eyes :D keep it up, you're on the right track.