How did YOU learn about design?

[johnb]

I can code all day long, but when it comes to site layout, I'm pretty much useless. I realize I can just find a site I like and copy it, but I'd like to at least try to come up with something original.

What are some good design resources?

[y6y6y6]

"What are some good design resources?"

I used resources from other media. This is great for coming up with innovative web designs. I found "Print" magazine to be very good for this purpose. They give you the entire creative for a product or marketing campaign. So you get the feel and style rather than just the look.

[Tammy]

Getting the right look is a very individual thing. Some people are simply sensitive to what a good site looks like. Hard to explain. It isn't just something you pull out of a book. Sort of like interior design, there's a reason some people do it themselves and it looks awful, and others do it for a living and the results are great. I'm good with the technical stuff, but I work very closely with the client for what they want - an involved client is your best friend in web design.

[SnakEyez]

Well John, I'm like you I can code but designing is difficult. Personally I use Photoshop 7 and I have read tons of tutorials about the "little" tricks of PS. From doing this I leanred how to make the better designs much easier than before. Just search the internet for tutorials for the graphics editor you use and believe me there is enough to get you started in the right direction.

[gaustin]

johnb, you don't do any design work before you code? <gasp>

[vanselus]

PS tricks will only go so far with ideas - I've found the best place for ideas is a wide field of study. Go to the bookstore, examine design books, architecture books, layout books, and really take the time to figure out what makes the designs special. Thinking of your project in terms of these examples will help you come up with something that's original, yet exciting. Most "original" material is just a conglomerate of regurgitated material anyway - just put together slightly differently. Music is the same way. Of course, you're going to have to have the skills to be able to create what's in your head - just like programming!

[gaustin]

It's really kind of scary how pretty much everything can be broken down to the same handful of abilities....programming, music, mathematics, writing, and on and on and on....

[metawu]

I just picked it up from visiting other sites, magazines.
I let my html guy do the coding hehe.

[johnb]

johnb, you don't do any design work before you code?

It depends how you define design. ;)

Thanks all for the suggestions.

[gaustin]

From a software engineering, OO, modular, etc standpoint is what I meant.

But from the way most everyone else responded it seems like you might have meant HTML so my question doesn't apply if that's the case.

[johnb]

That's what I thought you meant, I'm strictly talking graphics here.

[-rAz-]

I know my way around PS etc but the design is the hardest part of a dynamic site for me. Coding is easy compared to design.

I have designing skills in my family coz my dad does it for a living but when they made me they forgot to include those parts in my DNA i guess coz im not even half as good as him. Thats why im in a more technicall business and not in his designing company i guess.

You can learn much from studying examples but in the end you still have to have it in you if you are gonna be an ace designer

[vanselus]

Originally posted by -rAz-
You can learn much from studying examples but in the end you still have to have it in you if you are gonna be an ace designer

Yes, but only to a point. You can LEARN to look at things critically, to see shapes and colors as tools/parts instead of complete objects. That's the most critial step for any artist.

[johnb]

I think I'm going to wind up taking a class somtime down the road. I can't stand not being good at something.

[Ophelia]

I went to school for art, which i think is a nice background for design, but it didn't teach me anything about computer stuff. Anything about web design, html, PS etc., I've taught myself, mostly just by playing with the programs, looking at tutorials or dissecting other web sites.

[u6crash]

I started out as a computer science major and switched to art in the design department. Even though I have formal training, I'm still not always confident about my designs. My website went through it's fifth overhaul this weekend, and everytime I get a little bit closer to something I think is "really good".

They say art is making mistakes and knowing which ones to keep.