Programs...

[Ap0s7le]

Hey guys/gals

For all you designers who have been creating Templates, I was wondering what programs you use for your layouts?

Also, if you could show the program and an example of the work done within that would be awesome.

I'm new to this, and would like to see what the pros use.

I've enjoyed myself here thus far, seems like good people :)

later

[Palmer]

For templates I use Paint Shop Pro but I'm a rarity. I think most of them use Photoshop.

[FTIGraphix]

and Fireworks :tup:

[marengo]

photoshop , ImageReady; for flash text effects : MagicFlare
http://magicflare.com/magicflare/home.html

[lang]

Adobe Photoshop.

[crimsondesigner]

paint shop pro and fireworks :D

Erika

[Raja]

'Sup Ap0s7le,

I use Photoshop 7

[Radu]

For web graphics I use Fireworks & Freehand (www.macromedia.com) and Flash of course. :)
Example (http://www.designoutpost.com/forums/uploads/post-6-1057861727.jpg) - Fireworks only.

[Ap0s7le]

Thanks all.

wwwzone, I appreciate the example. I hear so often about PS, but hardly anything about FW.
It's nice to see an example, gives me hope for learning that program.

Does anyone know of any design/layout tutorials to help a beginner learn?

Thanks for the replies

later

[FTIGraphix]

well searching for tutorials for any program in google will yields tons of results...

[Ap0s7le]

Very true, I was actually refering to design/layout, as in getting an understanding what works and what doesn't. A lot of you all have gone to school for this, but some of us haven't. So I was wondering if there were any 'school' type tuts out there.

Sorry I wasn't very clear, heck I'm still probably not ;)

later

[Radu]

No school.
All I learnd is from the net and... LOTS and LOTS of work. :) :tup:
If I did it... you can do it too. You should've seen me 5 or 6 years ago... I was a disaster... :rolleyes: :unsure: :rolleyes:

[Palmer]

Is your first site still online? Mine is. (http://www.geocities.com/gimmemystars) :D

[ElKootcho]

I never finished school either as I bounced around where my major was concerned. I actually started out studying architecture but while in school I landed a temp gig with an architecture firm and, lo and behold, turns out I couldn't stand doing it all day long.

So I dropped that and began studying Marine Biology since I was (and still am) completely fascinated by marine life. And then it dawned on me "what the hell am I going to do with a degree in Marine Biology?". A teacher I ain't.

So off to find another career. One career that I've always wanted to do was become a Fire Fighter. This type of job would suit me perfectly and if I had my druthers it's what I'd be doing now. So there I was, just a few credits short of my Fire Science degree, when friends came up with the fabulous idea of a ski vacation. Great. Blew out my knee requiring a complete ACL recontruction. So long fire station. Knee still not normal.

Meanwhile I land a part-time job in the marketing dept. of a home and car audio manufacturing company. I was able to get my hands on my first Mac (a blazing Quadra 650) and began learning Quark in my free time. The company had a GREAT tuition reimbursment policy so I took advantage and attended classes. And the rest is design history.

Actually, I was this close (picture my fingers about 1/4 inch apart) to becoming a police officer with the INS. I was actually hired and scheduled to leave for Georgia for a 6 month training session when I decided to back out. It was nothing I set out to do. A good friend of mine was going to take the entrance exams and presuaded me to go along for moral support. I took the test, scored reasonably well and the ball was rolling out of control from there.

What can I say, the design thing stuck. (For now) :shifty:

[Raja]

Originally posted by ElKootcho@Jul 15 2003, 03:56 PM
I never finished school either as I bounced around where my major was concerned. I actually started out studying architecture but while in school I landed a temp gig with an architecture firm and, lo and behold, turns out I couldn't stand doing it all day long.

So I dropped that and began studying Marine Biology since I was (and still am) completely fascinated by marine life. And then it dawned on me "what the hell am I going to do with a degree in Marine Biology?". A teacher I ain't.

So off to find another career. One career that I've always wanted to do was become a Fire Fighter. This type of job would suit me perfectly and if I had my druthers it's what I'd be doing now. So there I was, just a few credits short of my Fire Science degree, when friends came up with the fabulous idea of a ski vacation. Great. Blew out my knee requiring a complete ACL recontruction. So long fire station. Knee still not normal.

Meanwhile I land a part-time job in the marketing dept. of a home and car audio manufacturing company. I was able to get my hands on my first Mac (a blazing Quadra 650) and began learning Quark in my free time. The company had a GREAT tuition reimbursment policy so I took advantage and attended classes. And the rest is design history.

Actually, I was this close (picture my fingers about 1/4 inch apart) to becoming a police officer with the INS. I was actually hired and scheduled to leave for Georgia for a 6 month training session when I decided to back out. It was nothing I set out to do. A good friend of mine was going to take the entrance exams and presuaded me to go along for moral support. I took the test, scored reasonably well and the ball was rolling out of control from there.

What can I say, the design thing stuck. (For now) :shifty:
yea, so, what program do you use for designing templates officer?


:lol: :lol: :lol:

[cre8or]

Originally posted by wwwzone@Jul 15 2003, 02:50 PM
No school.
l I learnd is from the net and... LOTS and LOTS of work. :) :tup:
If I did it... you can do it too. You should've seen me 5 or 6 years ago... I was a disaster... :rolleyes: :unsure: :rolleyes:
Oh yeah... well everything I know I learned from cartoons!
(and my cat), but mostly cartoons.
;)

[ElKootcho]

actually my post was in response to WWWZone's "No School...Learned by doing" post and Ap0s7le's "A lot of you all have gone to school for this, but some of us haven't." post.

Point is: formal education is not neccesary. Helpful? Yes. Required? No.

So there :P

[Ap0s7le]

I read somewhere once that you don't have to be creative to do web design, but you just have to be in it long enough to get the hang of things...

What are your opinions on this?

I'm basically useless, so do I really have a chance in life? *grin*

[Raja]

Originally posted by ElKootcho@Jul 15 2003, 05:34 PM
Point is: formal education is not neccesary. Helpful? Yes. Required? No.


I'd have to agree with Kootch on that (when it comes to the graphic design industry only).

I certainly don't have any formal training in design, graphics or the like. Ap0s7le (we will herin refer to you as Apo), I can't really help you in terms of directing you towards a good tutorial because most of my designs are non conventional, but I do like these guy's methodologies37Signals (http://www.37signals.com).

[Ap0s7le]

ondarox, thanks and Apo is fine...
The reason I like your stuff is because it's not the norm.

I'm so fed up with the 'NORM' dear god shoot me...

Do you just get inspired by something and start creating, or do you hear what someone wants and just throw it together?

Am I getting annoying as of yet?

later

[Raja]

For me every design starts with a quick run outside and good look at nature. From then, I must have music on and get into my element. Lately I've been listening to this CBC Radio 3 - Canadian music (http://www.cbcr3.com/) especially all tracks by Lowfish, (be sure to ck the archives for more music (hip hop to rock). Music really helps me with geometry and forms, I'm not sure it will be the same for you.

As far as the client goes, well, I will rarely give them exactly what they want unless its within my style spectrum, usually I come in with a curve ball. Again, not good advice from me but thats just how it's been (moreso outside of this site)

And no, your not annoying...................yet :lol:

[ElKootcho]

Originally posted by Ap0s7le@Jul 15 2003, 03:51 PM
I'm so fed up with the 'NORM' dear god shoot me...
Don't come down on "the norm". That's what pays the bills more often than not. The trick is to take the norm and put a twist on it. There are plenty of starving artists out there and I don't plan on being on of them.

[Ap0s7le]

I wasn't coming down on it.
It's what I can do, and what I see everyday.

It's those that don't have a twist that bother me, it's like eating toast everyday for breakfast.
Sometimes you just want to mix it up a lil and have a bagel instead.
I meant no disrespect.

later

(PS)

I love that station ondarox, I was laying back talking to my fiance and told her the beat was turning me on.
Lets just say she would like to thank you.

I can't seem to find any of those artist on iMesh though, the one song Laid Off I'd like to find.
Among others!

time for bed

[ElKootcho]

Originally posted by ondarox@Jul 15 2003, 04:12 PM
For me every design starts with a quick run outside and good look at nature.
I live in Los Angeles, we don't have nature. :rip:

[Raja]

Originally posted by ElKootcho@Jul 16 2003, 01:58 AM
Originally posted by ondarox@Jul 15 2003, 04:12 PM
For me every design starts with a quick run outside and good look at nature.
I live in Los Angeles, we don't have nature. :rip:
I'm in Toronto, so probably even less "nature". I meant more things like the sky, sunscapes, giant trees, a woman's figure, anything that forms natural shapes, that sorta' thing, . You're so close to the Pacific, what are you complaining about?

Did I say a woman's figure? whoops...

[ElKootcho]

Originally posted by ondarox@Jul 16 2003, 04:45 AM
Originally posted by ElKootcho@Jul 16 2003, 01:58 AM
Originally posted by ondarox@Jul 15 2003, 04:12 PM
For me every design starts with a quick run outside and good look at nature.
I live in Los Angeles, we don't have nature. :rip:
I'm in Toronto, so probably even less "nature". I meant more things like the sky, sunscapes, giant trees, a woman's figure, anything that forms natural shapes, that sorta' thing, . You're so close to the Pacific, what are you complaining about?

Did I say a woman's figure? whoops...
Let's see: we have smog so no sky or sunscapes, no giant trees but lots of plam trees, and I work in Hollywood so our women's figures are anything but "natural"! :lol:

[Paverchic]

Hey Kootch and Raja,
Are you having a contest to see who can put the most nested quote boxes in a quote? :P

[ElKootcho]

Originally posted by ElKootcho@Jul 16 2003, 04:14 PM
Originally posted by ondarox@Jul 16 2003, 04:45 AM
Originally posted by ElKootcho@Jul 16 2003, 01:58 AM
Originally posted by ondarox@Jul 15 2003, 04:12 PM
For me every design starts with a quick run outside and good look at nature.
I live in Los Angeles, we don't have nature. :rip:
I'm in Toronto, so probably even less "nature". I meant more things like the sky, sunscapes, giant trees, a woman's figure, anything that forms natural shapes, that sorta' thing, . You're so close to the Pacific, what are you complaining about?

Did I say a woman's figure? whoops...
Let's see: we have smog so no sky or sunscapes, no giant trees but lots of plam trees, and I work in Hollywood so our women's figures are anything but "natural"! :lol:
Hey Kootch and Raja,
Are you having a contest to see who can put the most nested quote boxes in a quote?  

What do you mean?

[Raja]

Originally posted by ElKootcho@Jul 17 2003, 01:04 AM
Originally posted by ElKootcho@Jul 16 2003, 04:14 PM
Originally posted by ondarox@Jul 16 2003, 04:45 AM
Originally posted by ElKootcho@Jul 16 2003, 01:58 AM
Originally posted by ondarox@Jul 15 2003, 04:12 PM
For me every design starts with a quick run outside and good look at nature.
I live in Los Angeles, we don't have nature. :rip:
I'm in Toronto, so probably even less "nature". I meant more things like the sky, sunscapes, giant trees, a woman's figure, anything that forms natural shapes, that sorta' thing, . You're so close to the Pacific, what are you complaining about?

Did I say a woman's figure? whoops...
Let's see: we have smog so no sky or sunscapes, no giant trees but lots of plam trees, and I work in Hollywood so our women's figures are anything but "natural"! :lol:
Hey Kootch and Raja,
Are you having a contest to see who can put the most nested quote boxes in a quote? *

What do you mean?
you are so predictable


:D

[FTIGraphix]

Originally posted by ondarox@Jul 15 2003, 06:12 PM
For me every design starts with a quick run outside and good look at nature. From then, I must have music on and get into my element. Lately I've been listening to this CBC Radio 3 - Canadian music (http://www.cbcr3.com/) especially all tracks by Lowfish, (be sure to ck the archives for more music (hip hop to rock). Music really helps me with geometry and forms, I'm not sure it will be the same for you.

As far as the client goes, well, I will rarely give them exactly what they want unless its within my style spectrum, usually I come in with a curve ball. Again, not good advice from me but thats just how it's been (moreso outside of this site)

And no, your not annoying...................yet :lol:
I totally agree with rox. Before desiging I like to go outside and pick some flowers and smell them, and junk like that, it really gets my creative juices flowing...

[Ap0s7le]

Lets combine a lil of what ElKootcho and FTIGraphix said...
My lil version is I like to go out and sniff some women...
Ah... I don't know about inspiring, or getting the 'juices' flowing...
But boy, is it ever a nice way to start off a day...
*chuckles*

I'm engaged and would never do such a thing... but hey... I had to let some of my humor, or lack thereof show through... :rip: